The ANA Standards of Care

Introduction                       

Most organizations create certain standards so as to guide the employees’ and employers’ professional conducts. In nursing, the academic, administrative and clinical experts have played a major role in the development of standards of care. Thus, ANA standards of care are general guidelines, which offer a foundation on how nurses ought to behave in their profession. In regards to these standards, nurses ought to be responsible for promoting health, self care, education, treatment and planning for care continuity. Standards of care are essential incase a legal issue arises. They will determine whether a nurse acted appropriately in a certain case. These standards act as the baseline for quality healthcare. They should be developed while evaluating the federal and state rules, and laws and regulations, which govern the nursing practice (HG.Org, 2017).

The ANA standards of care

The ANA standards of care or practice include; assessment, diagnosis, identification of an outcome, planning, implementation, organization of care, and evaluation. In assessment, the nurse should collect detailed information regarding the health of the patient. A nurse must utilize appropriate methods in collecting data. He or she is supposed to collect information from the patient, family or other health care providers. In addition, the data ought to be kept in a retrievable form. The second standard is diagnosis. The nurse ought to scrutinize the evaluation data so as to determine the issues or diagnoses. In response to identification of the outcome, which is the third ANA standard of care, a nurse ought to identify the expected result so as to plan on how to handle a situation. The outcomes ought to come from diagnosis. A nurse should involve patient and other healthcare providers in the formulation of the outcome. It is essential for a nurse to consider the culture of the patient. When formulating outcomes, nurses ought to consider the ethics, values and the associated risks and benefits. In response to planning, which is the fourth standard of care, a nurse should create a plan that stipulates strategies and alternatives in attaining the expected outcomes. The fifth standard, which is planning, a nurse executes the recognized plan of care. A nurse ought to utilize safe and suitable implementation interventions. He or she ought to collaborate with his or her co- workers in the implementation plan. It is important for a nurse to employ evidence- based interventions and treatment meant for the stated diagnosis. Besides, nurses are supposed to coordinate the provision of care, consult senior nurses, and offer health education and promotion. In regards to evaluation, which is the sixth standard, nurses must assess progress towards the accomplishment of outcomes (Danasu, 2007).

 Professional and personal codes of ethics, which promote effective involvement in diverse group settings

Nursing profession has for a long time known to be concerned with the welfare of the injured, sick and vulnerable individuals within the society. Nevertheless, nurses encounter ethical predicaments on a daily basis at their workplaces. Thus, the American Nurses Association has established a code of ethics, which enable nurses to efficiently carry out their responsibilities. In response to such codes of ethics, nurses ought to show respect and compassion to all patients and their family members, regardless of their personal characteristics, economic or social status, or the nature of their health issues. Nurses should view every patient as a worthy, unique and dignified human being. Nurses ought to be committed to the patient, regardless of whether it is an individual, group, family or community. A nurse should promote and strive to protect the safety, rights and health of the patient. Nurses have the duty to preserve their integrity and safety, maintain their skills and continue to grow personally and professionally. A nurse can take part in the advancement of the profession by contributing in the administrative, educational and knowledge enhancement. A nurse is supposed to team up with other healthcare experts and the public in the promotion of international, national and community efforts, so as to fulfill the health needs of individuals. A nurse is accountable for his or her nursing practice, and, therefore, the delegation of his or her tasks ought to be consistent with the nurse’s duty, which is to offer optimum patient care (rn.com, 2012).

Elements of effective communication patterns in nursing

There should be constant communication between patients and nurses in the nursing profession. Also, nurses are supposed to frequently communicate with the patient’s family, their supervisors, and co- workers, among others. Communication in the nursing practice can at times be complicated, and there may be possibility of conveying or receiving incorrect information. Thus, nurses ought to know the main elements of the communication process, ways of improving their competency, and the potential issues that may arise in case of erroneous communication. Breakdown in conveyance of information can result to negative consequences. For instance, if a nurse does not inform the oncoming shift nurse that a patient fell down while she was on shift, the nurse may not evaluate injuries or other complication brought about by the fall. This may bring about further health complications. Honesty is an essential element of communication. In this case, nurses should always keep their promises. If a nurse promises a patient that she carry out a certain task, then she ought to follow through. If it is not possible to carry out the stipulated task, then he or she should inform the patient but with valid reasons. Responsiveness and availability are other indispensable elements of communication. Patients and families can be impatient or angry if they feel that the nurse in- charge is ignoring them. In addition, nurses should pay attention to non- verbal cues such as eye contact, tone of voice and body language when communicating to the patients, their families, co-workers and supervisors. Nurses should be empathetic in their communication. More so, nurses ought to be aware of the cultures of the patients and colleagues, and respect them. They ought to be sensitive to the cultures. In this case, they ought to  avoid discrimination, stereotyping, prejudice and racism. For instance, addressing patients by using their last names is a demonstration of respect (Anderson, 2012). 

Conclusion

In the nursing profession, change in technology and establishment of new methods result to change in their standards. Effective communication in nursing may result to an increase in satisfaction among patients, a sense of protection and safety, and increased rates of recovery. Successful communication makes families feel that their patients are receiving the required treatment.

 References

Anderson, L. (2012, October 5). Why is communication in nursing important? Retrieved from

http://www.nursetogether.com/why-communication-in-the-nursing-profession-is-

important

Danasu, R. (2007 June) Standard nursing care: An asset. The nursing journal of India, 8(6)

HG.Org (2017). Standards of care in nursing. Retrieved from

https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=6237

rn.com (2012, December 6). Ethics and healthcare professional. Retrieved from

https://lms.rn.com/getpdf.php/1867.pdf