quality improvement: Informed consent:
Describe the role of the final semester nursing student in monitoring and implementing effective strategies to improve quality of care. Include specific actions becoming of a future registered nurse.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Quality improvement (QI) is, “Using data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and using improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care systems”. This ensures that everyone in every department of your organization is always working to deliver better healthcare for patients.NURSING QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IDEAS AND GUIDE ON IMPROVED NURSING CARE
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It focuses on gathering and producing evidence to improve healthcare, with an overall goal of delivering safer, more equitable, and more affordable care.
The AHRQ has produced guidelines for improving nursing care and overall healthcare. The guides and factsheets offer project ideas for quality improvement in nursing, including the following:
INFORMED CONSENT
Informed consent is when a healthcare provider like a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional explains a medical treatment to a patient before the patient agrees to it. This type of communication lets the patient ask questions and accept or deny treatment.
In a healthcare setting, the process of informed consent includes
These components are essential elements of the shared decision-making process between patient and healthcare provider. Most importantly, it empowers patient to make educated and informed decisions about patient`s health and medical care.
What types of procedures need informed consent?
The following scenarios require informed consent:
What should it include?
An informed consent agreement should include the following information:
With this information, the client can make an educated choice about the procedures he/she receives.
ROLE OF FINAL YEAR NURSING STUDENT IN MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CARE
1. Willingness to Learn
With technological improvements and breakthrough studies in science, the healthcare industry (and healthcare workers) must prove to be successfully adaptive to provide the highest quality patient care possible. Nurses spend more bedside time with patients than any other role in healthcare and their willingness to learn and put new knowledge into practice is one of the leading traits of a good nurse.
Improvements in education approaches (e.g., multidisciplinary training, personalized learning, etc.) can help foster successful learning environments, but a good nurse must possess a natural willingness to learn for them to be truly beneficial. This important skill applies to nurses of all ages, throughout every stage of their career, from recent graduates to the highly experienced
2. Communication Skills
Strong communication skills are critical characteristics of a nurse. A nurse’s role relies on the ability to effectively communicate with other nurses, physicians, disciplines across other units, patients, and their families.
Without the ability to interpret and convey communication correctly, medical errors are more likely to occur, patients often feel neglected or misinformed, and the entire unit will feel the impact. By prioritizing and practicing communication skills, nurses will provide safer care and benefit their patients, their unit, and the entire hospital/health system—not to mention, their long-term career.
3. Empathy
With nurses caring for perhaps thousands of patients throughout their careers, it can be all too easy to become desensitized or remember what it was like to be a “nonclinical” person. A characteristic of a good nurse is one that shows empathy to each patient, making a true effort to put themselves in their patients’ shoes.
By practicing empathy, nurses are more likely to treat their patients as “people” and focus on a person-centered care approach, rather than strictly following routine guidelines. When patients are fortunate enough to encounter these characteristics of a good nurse, it makes their care experience that much better.
4. Attention to Detail
Nurses are undoubtedly under immense pressure as they balance receiving orders from physicians with using their own knowledge skills and critical judgement to provide the highest quality patient care. Add to this combination caring for multiple patients simultaneously, and the risk for human error can seem almost inevitable.
A good nurse knows the stakes are high and that unlike in most other industries, they’re responsible for peoples’ well being and more importantly—their lives. Having a strong attention to detail is one of the nurse personality traits that can easily and quickly determine how successful they’ll be in their role.
5. Problem Solving Skills
While clinical knowledge and training is taught throughout a nurse’s education, on the job training is the most effective way to help shape a nurse’s problem solving skills. And although years of experience can help hone this skill, some naturally possess better problem-solving skills as part of their qualities and traits of a nurse.
Problem solving skills are essential to nursing, as nurses generally have the most one-on-one time with patients and are often responsible for much of the decision-making related to their care. Even seemingly small decisions can have major impacts and cause adverse patient outcomes if incorrectly made.
6. Stamina
The physical demand on nurses is perhaps one of the most underestimated aspects of their careers. Within one shift, a nurse lifts an average of 1.8 tons (roughly the weight of a hippo) with patient lifting and adjusting. Additionally, studies have found that nurses walk an average of 4-5 miles per shift.
In an average 12-hour shift, nurses exercise a unique balance of physical and emotional stamina that few other industries encounter. Effectively managing this skill is what makes a great nurse. This extremely important skill impacts nurses, their coworkers, and of course, the patients. Having sufficient stamina is one of the most important qualities of a great nurse.
7. Sense of Humor
To derive satisfaction from such a mentally and physically exhausting career, nurses that can find time for a laugh are typically more successful in their roles. Because nurses encounter varying degrees of high-stress situations, taking the opportunity to enjoy the downtime and incorporate a lighthearted attitude can provide a sense of stress relief beyond measure.
Having a good sense of humor also helps spread positivity to other nurses, patients, and their families. A good sense of humor is not only a characteristic of a nurse leader, but reminds patients and their families that “nurses are people, too” and ultimately increases their trust and openness with sharing feedback and concerns. In especially stressful times, patients and their family members are appreciative of any efforts (no matter how small) to help bring a bit of cheer.
8. Commitment to Patient Advocacy
This concept is the foundational core tenet of healthcare from the Hippocratic Oath to nearly every hospital’s mission statement in one phrase or another: keep patients safe, deliver the highest quality of care. In other words, be an advocate for patients, with special attention on their overall safety.
As one of the leading qualities of a nurse leader, a great nurse understands that patient advocacy is a mindset that must be practiced every day, with every patient, throughout every stage of the care continuum. Many patients enter a hospital or healthcare setting disoriented, confused, and unable to truly “speak up” and advocate for their safety. Having a nurse that practices with a strong passion for patient advocacy will ensure they’re always fighting for the very best care for their patients..
9.Caring
While it may seem like a given, most people assume that all nurses enter the field because “caring” is one of their leading qualities—but this shouldn’t necessarily be an assumed nursing characteristic. Many nurses who choose the nursing career path prioritize job security, are interested in using it as a starting point for another career, or have a lack of alternative ideas/options.
But as a nursing quality, caring makes all the difference to patients. A nurse showing a natural tendency to truly care about how their patients feel (and in turn, how well they perform their job) will have a significant impact on their success in the nursing field, which makes caring a key indicator of a nurse’s success.
10. Critical Thinking
While having a strong willingness to learn is an important skill in a good nurse, putting that knowledge into successful practice requires an ability to think critically—especially in high-stress situations. A nurse with highly functioning critical thinking skills is one of the most important characteristics of a professional nurse.
After years of education and training, the ability to apply clinical guidelines and best practices on the floor depends on a nurse’s ability to think critically, which is quickly noticed (either positively or negatively) by leadership, other nurses, and ultimately, patients. While this skill can be improved over time, it’s often something that comes more naturally to some nurses than others.
11. Time Management
Balancing multiple patients, stressful care settings, and competing priorities is no small feat during a 12-hour shift. Having the ability to implement effective time management is a key personality trait for nursing, as is being able to concentrate on the most critical issues first, which isn’t necessarily the patient/family that’s demanding the most.
Setting time aside for selfcare is also a crucial component to time management. Refusing to take a quick break or regroup during an especially intense 12-hour shift won’t benefit anyone involved in the care process.
12. Leadership
While most nurses approach their careers with patient care in mind, many will unexpectedly transition into leadership roles. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for this promotion to arrive without adequate training, development opportunities, or sufficient support/mentorship.
A quality of a good nurse that will become more and more valuable in the growing nursing field is the ability to successfully lead. However, if a nurse manager recognizes that their role isn’t perhaps the right fit, knowing when/how to voice that concern is equally as admirable as thriving in the role. Exercising leadership skills in any role/level of the organization shows a willingness to grow and adapt at one’s own pace. Mentorships from nursing leaders can also teach invaluable lessons on how to become a great nurse.
13. Experience
It’s important to note that as veteran nurses leave the healthcare industry and begin retirement, they’re taking with them years of experience and knowledge that cannot be quickly replaced. As nursing leaders work to bring new nurses in the door, most available candidates are predominantly new graduate nurses—a stark contrast to their predecessors in terms of experience and the many patient care skills and knowledge that can only come with time and practice.
By engaging with new nurses to instill an expectation of continuous learning, while creating a positive environment for them to learn from experienced nurses (without fear of judgement), nursing leaders will set new nurses up for success—benefiting their careers, the organization, and most importantly their patients.
SPECIFIC ACTIONS OF BECOMING A FUTURE REGISTERED NURSE
1. Excellent Communication Skills ( RN - REGISTERED NURSE )
This may be one of the most vital qualities required in an RN because they have to interact with patients, coworkers, and doctors. They can’t give complete care if they don’t have good communication skills. A nurse should also be a good listener, and the conversation has to be soft and polite. RNs with knowledge of multiple languages are generally paid higher.
2. Stress Management
A nurse has to go through continuous mental and physical trauma and stress, making the workload very hectic. There are many incidences that may occur throughout the day that can heighten an RN’s stress load — for example, moody patients, too many patients, being understaffed, and much more. In these situations, it is important and crucial that every nurse tries to remain calm and understand the circumstances. This will help them to successfully carry out their duties and help each patient to their best ability.
3. Kind and Compassionate
Kindness and compassion play major roles in the character of an RN and are an important part of the metaparadigm of nursing. An efficient nurse has to be considerate, sympathetic, non-judgmental and should have the ability to provide comfort to the patient both emotionally and mentally. There are times when a nurse has to look after patients of all demographics and at that time, they should be very composed, calm, compassionate, and kind to each one.
4. Organizational Skills
Every RN should be organized and perform activities in a planned manner. This is because each nurse can be given many patients to look after at a time, so it is better if the nurse remains prepared for shouldering all the responsibilities. Not only does being organized help with filing medical charts and allocating medications, but it can also help with patient care overall. Even as digital records become standard and nursing informatics brings modern tech to many clinical tasks, RNs need to be personally organized to collaborate with the rest of the care team and deliver the best care to patients.
5. Dedication and Patience
Working effectively as a nurse without dedication and patience can be extremely difficult. The quality of patience can help individuals conquer anxiety, overcome misunderstandings, and help in making the right decisions. If anybody wants to be successful, then they should be committed to their work. Showing dedication and patience can help prospective RNs improve their education, gain better experience, and ultimately become leaders in the medical field.
6. Detail Oriented
Nurses have to be agile, focused, and detail-oriented. They prepare patient’s reports and provide medications — not paying attention to detail can cause them to mix up patient records or provide the wrong medication, which can lead to bigger problems. These problems, though they may stem from the slightest mistake, can critically risk the life of a patient. In this field, every minor detail holds importance and significance.
7. Critical Thinking
As nurses gain clinical knowledge, good experience, and commit to further education, they become able to recognize the problems of a patient on their own. Nurses must be competent to acquire self-sufficiency through critical thinking which helps them to adapt according to the changes. Critical thinking is an essential trait that helps RNs to judge the situations and make appropriate decisions.
8. Alert and Observant
It is mandatory for registered nurses to be attentive and vigilant. During stressful situations like emergencies, traumatic events, and tragic illnesses, nurses are expected to be alert, calm, and cautious, especially when the doctor isn’t present on the premises. Any sort of delay or inaction can be risky for the patient.
9. Responsible
All good nurses will need to possess the ability to perform their duties responsibly and with utmost care and precision. The activities of a nurse directly affect the life of a patient, and that’s why there is no room for any mistake or error. Nurses have to carry out all of their work without any negligence. They also need to be responsible and alert at the time of emergencies and causalities.
10. Physical and Mental Endurance
A registered nurse has to be mentally stable and physically strong. They have to be very quick and agile all the time. Also, they have to be very active at the time of on-call duties and extended shifts. On the other hand, there are incidents when nurses face mental pressure and trauma dealing with the patients. So, mental steadiness and stability are requisite in this occupation.
11. Judgment and Decision Making
Every RN must have the skills to analyze, review, and judge different situations in the medical field. They have to make accurate observations, judge the situation, and take suitable action without getting annoyed, angry, or overwhelmed; any delay or distraction could result in a fatality when every second counts.
Aside from having completed the requisite education, obtaining these skills is essential for an individual to become a registered nurse. These traits are important to become a better nurse and also help them to handle patients in the right way. Incorporating these skills into your everyday practice as an RN can help to ensure you become successful in the field and provide your patients with the best care possible.
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