Essay Sample on Course Insights for Nursing: Strategies for Improved Critical Care

Introduction

This course has provided valuable theoretical and practical insights into the nursing profession, which, when applied, can help one to develop professionally and realize work-home balance. Based on the course learning, evidence-based practice has a broad spectrum, and its integration into nursing practice can be achieved through addressing various nursing aspects.

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New Practice Approaches

Based on the course, many strategies can be used to improve critical care nursing. These work settings expose individuals to compassion fatigue and reduce their performance levels and the overall effectiveness of nursing practice. Consequently, developing strategies that address the needs of nurses in critical care environments, such as improved shifting can help improve the performance of the nurse. Further strategies include developing proper communication structures that allow for easy reporting of issues, and the incorporation and consideration of research findings to improve the work environment. Additionally, availing resources through proper collaborations help to realize adequate training and running of services (Dang & Dearholt, 2017).

Interprofessional Collaboration

Nurses need to be social to be more productive (Dang & Dearholt, 2017). As regards the individual, sharing experiences and challenges is a first step towards the exploration of ways to inhibit or remedy the challenges. A collective understanding of how practice stands within a particular nursing setting, such as in critical care environments, helps to realize synergistic cooperation. As regards the profession, interprofessional collaborations help to advance and incorporate evidence-based practice into nursing practice. Such partnerships help in the peer-review of research relating to challenges within an area within the nursing profession and help to base practice on evidence.

Health Care Delivery and Clinical Systems

Health care delivery and clinical systems define the structure of individuals, institutions, and resources which work simultaneously to realize that consumers have access to healthcare. For the effective delivery of healthcare and clinical services, there must be regulatory frameworks which outline operational standards and scope for each player. Proper leadership can help to realize improved collaborations between the various players that contribute to the healthcare delivery and clinical systems. Strengthening the role of the healthcare practitioner, for instance, implies proper training and adherence to evidence-based practice. The purpose of the government as a regulator and financier of public health must also be underscored, as well as ensure that the resulting nursing practice environment benefits all players (Feo & Kitson, 2016).

Ethical Considerations in Healthcare

There are at least five ethical issues in healthcare. Foremost, there is the matter of patient confidentiality. While there are legal provisions that safeguard patient information privacy, the adoption of information technology into healthcare practice presents new challenges that require continuous consideration. The second ethical challenge is patient relationships. Throughout the discharge of medical care, caregivers are required to maintain a professional distance with patients. Thirdly, there is the issue of malpractice and negligence that may lead to harm to the patient. Proper training, professionalism, and adequate evaluation helps to address such challenges. The fourth challenge is on the issue of informed consent. Lastly, questions regarding physician-assisted suicide to continue to be a challenge (Aitamaa, Leino-Kilpi, Iltanen, & Suhonen, 2016).

Population Health Concerns

Nurses play a critical role in the management of population health. Through them, it is possible to realize a holistic approach to population health in a way that addresses the social, biological, physical, environmental, and psychological influences on population health. Nurses incorporate innovative approaches to nursing practice to ensure that the dynamic needs of the population are adequately addressed. The adoption of evidence-based practice in nursing practice helps to incorporate the perspectives of the population into the practice. Such perspectives are evaluated using scientific approaches that enable research outcomes which inform practice. Creating a conducive environment where nurses can conduct research and base their practice on the outcome of peer-reviewed studies helps to address population health needs (Feo & Kitson, 2016).

The Role of Technology in Improving Healthcare Outcomes

There are many ways in which technology improves healthcare outcomes. Foremost, technology improves patient safety by ensuring improved communication between clinicians. Such improved communications are essential for evidence-based practice as it helps to share knowledge, skills, and new findings. Technology also reduces medication error. They help in the proper diagnosis and prescription of medication. Thirdly, technology enables for information transparency and access. Medical practitioners can readily access medical information remotely in their handheld devices. The fourth way that technology improves healthcare outcomes is by enabling the realization of patient-centered care. Increasingly, patients are encouraged to evaluate healthcare services, and healthcare providers are enhancing services to endure positive customer reviews (Feo & Kitson, 2016).

Health Policy

Evidence-based practice improves the actions, plans, and decisions made to realize healthcare goals. EBP involves the input of various stakeholders, and so a collective approach is achieved in the decisions made regarding healthcare objectives. Once a study is conducted, it builds on previous studies, provides new insights, and gives adequate recommendations on what needs to be done.

Leadership and Economic Models

Nursing leadership theory borrows heavily from economic theory concepts of interests. The quality and volume of nursing care determine the safety and quality standards realized. Evidence-based practice helps to map out these correlations appropriately. Economic theories also help to determine nursing time allocations and the nature of nursing care production. These elements determine the effectiveness of nursing leadership and the realization of outcomes (Feo & Kitson, 2016).

Health Disparities

Health disparities is a significant issue and determinant of the success of the nursing practice. Evidence-based practice helps to determine strategies to bridge the disparity gaps as well as to advocate for resources to design nursing strategies that reach out to the whole population.

References

Dang, D., & Dearholt, S. L. (2017). Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice: Model and guidelines. Sigma Theta Tau.

Feo, R., & Kitson, A. (2016). Promoting patient-centered fundamental care in acute healthcare systems. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 57, 1-11.

Aitamaa, E., Leino-Kilpi, H., Iltanen, S., & Suhonen, R. (2016). Ethical problems in nursing management: the views of nurse managers. Nursing Ethics, 23(6), 646-658.