Application of Jean Watson Nursing Theory - Paper Example

Introduction

Watson hold the assumptions that human beings should not be handled as any other object and they cannot be eliminated from own-self, others, nature and a very large workforce. The theory put more emphasis on interpersonal process between the patient and the nurse. The main focus of the theory is human care and how nurses can develop transpersonal relationship with patients to enhance healing for the patients and motivate nurses (Watson, 1996). This theory is applied by nurses through the understanding that they require humanistic and philosophical approaches when providing patient care. Nurses also apply it through the integration of compassion and spirituality in their nursing practices. Nurses also apply it by fist involve in self-discovery process which give nurses an obligation to define their morals and work ethics.

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Self-discovery is important in build altruistic value that they can refer to. Nurse must have faith and hope when handling patients and this they can achieve through being in tune with their beliefs and cultivate a sense of own feelings to allow them be empathetic to the feelings of their patients. As a result, they can perceive patients as human beings which deserve respect and proper treatment. Personally, Watsons Nursing theory fits nursing profession because it allows patients and nurses to have good relationship which mutually benefit care giver and patients. It also individual nurse to treat patients as a person not as other objects which does not require altruistic value.

Contribution of Historical Nursing Figures

The contributions of Dorothea Dix and Clara Barton in 19th century ware very great. These nursing figures involved in several nursing activities that made them be remembered to date. Dorothea Dix introduced mental health reforms by setting a standard that allow nurses to provide proper care to mental ill patients (Dorothea,1845). She also became the voice of the poor people and those who could not defend themselves. Finally, she also recommended holistic nursing approaches that could be used to care and treat patients with mental problems. Dix wanted the Government also to introduce education of Prisoners and ensuring that prisoners with different offenses were separated from each other (Ordway, 1998). She also fought for the establishment of other health institutions, forced for the reorganization and enlargement, and staffing of the existing hospitals with well-trained healthcare professionals. She therefore contributed significantly towards the improvement of nursing in 19th century.

In the contrary Clara Barton was one of the people who devoted their lives for the needs of others to change the World. She plaid a significant function during civil war in America where she established NGO called Red cross. She assisted soldiers during the war by providing patient care to nurses who had been wounded during the war. Barton also formed an agency that was distributing supplies to wounded soldiers and also offer free treatment to wounded soldiers.

Personally, the contribution of these two these two historical figures are very important to me as a professional nurse. Their contribution encourages me in proving the high quality patient care and also make me value human life.

State Board of Nursing and American Nurses Association

State Board of nursing is a board of nursing that regulates nursing practices through the formulation and formation of regulations that nurses use while practicing. The board also has other roles such as overseeing nursing licensure training and implement laws they form to regulate nursing practices. On the other hand, American Nurses Association is an organization formed to advance and protect nurses. It also involves in the creation and formulation of nurses nursing principles, promote their rights and improve their welfare.

Personally these two organization has an influence on my nursing practices by ensuring that my rights as a professional nurse are protected. They also give me zeal and desire to work more keenly because they are responsible for regulating my nursing practices. As a result, they ensure I comply with the set nursing standards that ensure all nurses provide quality care to their patients. For a professional nurse renew license in Ohio, it is must be done between 1st July and end in 31st October every year. It is also necessary to pay a renewal fee of $65.00, and an additional fee of $3.50 usually called transaction fee. Furthermore, Renewal processing can only go on after the submission of required payment. The Ohio Board of Nursing must review the renewal applications to see if they the applicant has complied with the required regulations. It is also necessary for the applicant to submit completed application form, nursing school transcripts and current active license.

Failure to maintain renewal requirement leads to cancelation of practicing certificate which prevent one from practicing as a professional nurse. The requirement for nursing license in compact state are different from those in non-compact state such as Ohio. In compact state, the registered nurse must be a resident of that state and must declare it as the primary state of residence as opposed to Non compact states where anybody with the requirement can apply. Furthermore, the individual is required to be a registered nurse with a practicing license and this applies for both states. These requirements eliminate all the complications for nurses to practice in multiple states. The requirements for Non compact states does not remove complications but restrict the nurse to only practice in his home state.

Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Medicare Services

FDA is a Federal agency responsible for stimulating and safeguarding public health through the regulation and overseeing food safety (Modric, 2013). It inspects, test, approves and set safety standards for food additives, drugs and other Medicare services. On the other hand, Center for Medicare Services is responsible for administering Medicare programs and collaborate with other state agencies to provide Medicaid in USA (Kliff, 2011). These two agencies have encouraged me to use approved drugs and offer quality health care services. These agencies only allow for the use of approved drugs and administer Medicare programs in accordance with the set medical regulations and in the process I will only administer drugs and other food additives that has been approved by the agency. As a patient advocate I have a duty to request other health professionals to assist in decision making when the patient has sought for an alternative therapy. I will do my best to ensure that the patient obtained his or her legal and ethical rights by helping the patient satisfy his or her existential needs such as use of alternative therapy. I will also stand for the patients' rights and dignity by becoming the communicator between different health professionals that involves in the patient treatment.

The Purpose of Nurse Practice Act

Nursing Practice Act has a purpose of giving nursing board an authority to set out the scope of nursing practice and duties for Registered Nurses thus fostering the provision of high quality patient care. Nursing practice Act restricts RNs to only practice within Ohio without offering nursing practices in other states. The Act only allow RNs to provide safe nursing care through following established standards. It also allows RNs with practicing license to practice as a nurse and only those with the right academic qualification to practice. The Act inhibit RNs to engage in sexual misconducts with patients or other behaviors that lead to personal gain. Ohio defines delegation for RN as a way of transferring duties for execution of a given nursing role from RN allowed to do it to another person who has no authority of performing it.

Professional Practice

A professional is both scientist, detectives and manager of healing environment. Being scientist a nurse administers drugs that are able to fight germs in the body. They also carry out medical examination to discover the disease patients are suffering from. As a result, they are seen as scientists. In addition, professional nurses also consider as a detective. They play the role of identify the problems of their patients in the early stage. Therefore, nurses must have the ability to think critically which allow them to lean to use clinical experience. Finally, they are also referred to us managers of healing environment because they are responsible for enveloping patient- nurse relationship which enhancing healing of patients. They have the opportunity to create healing environment for all patients.

Two Provisions from ANA code of Ethics

As provided in the ANA, the nurse has the obligation and duty to be accountable and responsible for his nursing practices, make correct decisions and involve in activities that are consistent with his nursing roles to provide optimal care. This provision ensures that a professional nurse act responsibly when executing his duties because they are liable for their misconduct. As a result, they are able to provide optimal care to their patients. The second provision require nurses to advance their profession by carrying out several research and scholarly enquiries, professional standard establishment and the creation of both health and nursing policies. This provision ensures that professional nurses get new information and guidelines that they can use to improve their quality care. Through research nurses are also able to discover new health policies and standards that can protect the rights of patients.

During nursing practice, there are some errors which are likely to occur. They may include administering wrong drugs to patients and administering right medicine in wrong doses. The ANA provisions discussed above can be used to handle this error. They ensure that the nurse who involved in such errors become responsible for his or her action personally.

Leadership Qualities for a Professional Nurse

There are different leadership qualities that a professional nurse should have. They include critical thinking to identify the patient problem easily. The nurse should also have strong communication ability to help them in developing close relationship with patients. This quality is also important when the nurse is giving instructions to patients (Huston, 2008). These qualities are important when handling patients and when working with other team members. Furthermore, nurses are anticipated to have delegation qualities so that they can transfer the responsibilities of some RNs to others as a result making other be efficient because every nurse has his own strengths and weaknesses. Finally, it is essential for a professional nurse to have conflict resolution ability. This quality helps nurses to solve problems that other nurses have with the patients or with each other.

Work environment has an impact on nursing leadership. Work environment where workers work in teams motivate nurses because nurses there is work collaboration and team working spirit. Work environment where nurses are allowed to participate in decision making process and allowed to communicate freely with both patients and other health professionals also motivate the workers and this improve the quality of their services hence support professional development. In this environment workers can easily lean from each other thus gain personal experience in other areas.

References

Dix, Dorothea L. (1845). Remarks on Prisons and Prison Discipline in the United States. 2nd ed. Questia. 116 ppg. Available online at: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=94968018.

Ordway, Janet Eddy. (1998). Dorothea Lynde Dix: A Woman Ahead of Her Time. Psychiatric News. Av...