NURS 8114 Discussion Philosophy of Nursing Practice
NURS 8114 Discussion Philosophy of Nursing Practice
A personal goal as a nurse practitioner with a doctoral degree is to champion the nursing profession by helping to develop and implement healthcare policies and form a professional development tool that will promote recognition and advancement of nurse practitioners in clinical settings. Most healthcare institutions have a clinical ladder system showcasing career advancement for registered nurses but not for advanced practice nurses. Even though advanced practice providers continue to take on more complex roles, reimbursement inequalities and career progression remain an issue. Forming a structured professional development system that supports the contributions of advanced practitioners may lead to increased understanding and awareness of the advanced practice provider role, career progression, job satisfaction, and appropriate compensation.
There are so many sources that entail the life of Florence Nightingale. This version makes me envision Florence as a very inspiring accolade. Florence Nightingale refused to be married when she was 17 years old as she chose to answer her calling despite her parents being against enrolling as a nursing student at the Lutheran Hospital in Germany. Nightingale faced a cholera outbreak in an unsanitary environment when she returned from school to London and worked at Middlesex hospital. She worked hard to improve the environment’s sanitation, significantly decreasing the number of deaths. All the hard work eventually affected Nightingale’s health. The Crimean War happened between the British and Russian Empires, and many soldiers were admitted into military hospitals. There were not enough female nurses stationed at Crimea hospitals. England then was angry due to the neglect of the soldiers who had fallen ill and injured and lacked medical care due to insufficient caregivers leading to dreadful unsanitary, and inhumane conditions. Nightingale then was called to her calling despite barely recovering from her illness. She assembled a team of nurses and sailed them to Crimea. Nightingale and her nurses warned of the conditions they were about to face but were still unprepared for what they witnessed upon their arrival.
A change agent is an individual who has formal or informal legitimate power and whose purpose is to direct and guide change (Sullivan, 2012). Making a positive social change in the nursing profession requires a multifactorial approach. Joining well-established associations like the American Nurses Associations (ANA) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) actively involved in policy initiatives and advocacy on the local, state, and national levels keeps one up to date on health care legislation. They provide the knowledge, tools, and support required for social change. Involvement in health policy committees within an organization allows one to actively engage in policy building, intervention, and evaluation. Engagement and building rapport with other disciplines, collaborative teamwork, communication, and promoting the nursing profession’s advancement by education will help facilitate positive social change in the nursing profession.
As Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepared nurses, we have been equipped with leadership skills, ability to translate research into evidence-based practice, knowledge in clinical practice, and health systems to effect change in healthcare and influence positive outcomes in patient care and the nursing profession. We need to be committed and have the will and zeal to push change through to make a positive impact.
NURS 8114 Discussion Philosophy of Nursing Practice