Running Head: SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

Self-Assessment of Nursing Standards of Practice

Tyler Nickels
Ferris State University

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

Self-Assessment of Nursing Standards of Practice

The American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice were
developed to better implement the nursing profession with accountability to the public,
responsibility, performance, and code of ethics by developing standards of practice (White,
2012). The purpose of this paper is to display my professional growth and development while at
Ferris State University. I will be evaluating whether I met, did not meet, or do not intend to meet
standards 7-16 of the ANA Scope and Standards.
Standards met
The first standard met is Standard 9, Evidence-Based Practice Research. This is one
standard that has been really enforced since the beginning the nursing program. Ferris State
nursing students were informed on what it means and the importance of applying evidence based
practice (EBP) to nursing care. White (2012) explains that, EBP is an approach that enables
clinicians to provide highest quality of care to meet the multifaceted needs of their patients and
families by using high-quality evidence to inform decision-making in their nursing practice (p.
133). This is one standard that I believe I have met and will continue to meet in the future.
Practice will always change in the future, as technology develops, research and studies continue,
we will continue to have improved practice central to the patient. I have met this practice by
using what I have learned in the classroom and applied it in the clinical setting. One of the two
examples of this is rectal temperatures and intramuscular injections in the gluteal muscle. I have
come across scenarios in clinical and while working in the hospital where I have informed an RN
of the change to forgo the two and use other sites. Some agreed while others had a harder time
accepting this new practice as it was something they have done since practicing. When working
as a nurse I plan to stay up to date with most recent nursing practice as it applies to me. There are

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

many websites and articles; hospital floors often keep staff updated, as EBP will be brought to
managers on the floor. With this I believe I will be able to be familiar with best practice to
patients and I will use my knowledge from my education to incorporate it into patient care.
The second standard I have met is Standard 11, Communication. This is one standard I
believe I developed before starting the nursing program. I have taken a few communication
courses that were pre-requisites and worked in the hospital for about one year and one-half,
which helped me develop communication skills with patients. With further clinical experience
and confidence in my care, I would feel I have met this standard. According to White (2012),
there are 3 types of communication styles, passive, aggressive, assertive (p. 153-154). All of
these I have developed and understood when to use them in a situation. This current semester has
further cemented my confidence in communication when we completed our psych rotation.
Much of the nursing assessment involved communicating to the patient and using therapeutic
communication with them. I plan to maintain meeting this standard by using what I have learned
in school and in the clinical setting and apply it to patients. I do my best to be personable and
honest to patients, as appropriate to the scenario. I believe this makes the patient feel more
comfortable and receive better care because they feel like someone instead of a number whom
we are caring for. I plan to specialize my nursing care in oncology, which communication can be
very vital. I will use all my knowledge to do my best with these patients during their difficult
times.
The third standard I have met is Standard 13 in ANA Scope and Standards. This standard
is collaboration, which I have met throughout the program. I used my collaboration skills when
working in the hospital, with staff of many levels. I have implemented it more with students as
we worked on projects and in my service learning, which was a diabetic clinic provided by the

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

university. This diabetic clinic was run by students and overseen by professors of the university. I
collaborated with pharmacy, ophthalmology, and other nursing students as we conducted client
assessments. Collaboration is an important part of nursing; it makes the shift go much smoother
and provides best patient care. It is very important for nurses to collaborate with staff, this
includes, but not limited to; nurse techs, other nurses, nurse supervisor or manager, physicians or
other practitioners, secretary, patient transport, nutrition, house keeping, respiratory therapy,
physical therapy and many others. This is who I have witnessed nurses collaborate with during
my hospital experience. It is important for nurses to collaborate to achieve a positive outcome;
people need to work together to achieve a mutual goal (White, 2012). Having a goal to meet
gives all involved something to work for, this will keep a more structured team. When I become
a nurse, I will use my experience and encourage staff to work together because it can make a
beneficial difference if staff is able to meet goals together compared to individually.
Environmental Health, Standard 13, is the last I have met in the standards of 7 to 16. This
is another standard that my work in the hospital has benefited me from. In clinical we are not
exposed to circumstances since we are there from 12 to 16 hours a week. Working full time for
one year and one-half as a nurse tech on an oncology/medsurg floor has given me a lot of
experience with environmental health. I have also had experiences in clinical that I otherwise
may have not experienced working in the hospital. One important environmental health action
that I have been embedded with is the wash in, wash out phrase when going in and out of
patient rooms. The hospital I work for and have clinical rotations at, enforces this as an important
universal precaution, preventing infection and spread of it to patients. The ANA adapts
environmental health from the World Health Organization (WHO), which defines it as
embracing, those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychological problems in the environment and also
refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors
in the environment that can potentially affect the health of present and future generations
(White, p. 201, 2012). This is a very detailed definition of what environmental health is, at this
point I can not do some of these until I receive my license as an RN, but those without the
license I have met. Knowledge I have learned about infection from school and how to prevent
the spread of infection in the hospital, isolation and hygiene, has helped me to meet this standard.
I plan to continue to meet this standard as I receive my license and can apply it to patients.
Watching the news can help as well, many outbreaks are reported online or the television. Being
up to date with current outbreaks and disease will help me to maintain this standard.
Standards not met
This first standard I have not met is Standard 7, Ethics. This is one standard I believe
comes with experience and knowledge, which may take time to develop, and I have not yet
achieved this. It can be difficult for me to make a decision, related to nursing or just picking a
restaurant for dinner. So when it comes to ethics, it is something I know I have not yet met to
apply in healthcare. White (2012) defines ethics as choosing between options where there is
more than one right choice or where there are equally less than acceptable choices (p. 114). It is
hard for me to choose the best of a scenario especially if either decision can impact parties
negatively. I do not like upsetting people or discouraging them, so making a decision that they
will not be pleased with makes it difficult. Many of the ethical issues encountered daily by
nurses relate to protecting patients and families, upholding their autonomy, ensuring informed
consent, and assisting families in the explanation of self-determination such as advanced
directives (White, p. 114, 2012). This best explains what dilemmas ethics in nursing may

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

include. I need to keep in mind the concept of patient advocate. This is important when making
important decisions for the patient, we are there to help advocate for the patient when the patient
cannot, it is part of the nurses responsibility. The family may know what is best for the patient on
a personal level, but we need to provide alternatives and options, which we may see as most
beneficial for the patient outcome. I plan to attain this standard as I am more confident with my
knowledge in nursing and can better determine what is best for the patient. At this point in my
profession it is difficult for me to decide which outcome the patient can benefit the most from.
The second standard I have not met yet but plan to is Education, Standard 8. This is
somewhat obvious as I have not finished my nursing degree and am still new to the field. I plan
to meet this standard in the future but it is difficult to know when. I am considering a masters in
nursing, without knowing when I will begin that journey. Nursing has an unlimited amount of
education; everyday you can learn something new. This is one standard I could say I may never
meet as technology develops and research finds better ways to care for patients. ANA explains
just how dynamic nursing practice is, it constantly evolves and responds to the emerging health
and illness needs of individuals, families, communities, and population; to the rapid advances in
science, technology; and to continual changes in healthcare systems (White, p. 123, 2012). This
is why I am not sure when or if I will meet this standard, we will always learn and be educated
on new practice. I do feel I will be able to apply my knowledge to patients and feel confident in
applying my nursing theories and diagnosis to best care for patients. It is difficult to develop a
goal to attain and maintain this standard because nursing is a constant changing process where
we learn everyday.
The third standard I plan to meet is Standard 10, Quality of Practice. This is more defined
as, The registered nurse (RN) contributes to quality nursing practice by assuring that patients

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

receive evidence-based care that is patient-centered, safe, effective, timely, efficient, and
equitable (White, p. 145, 2012). Until I become a nurse it is difficult for me to meet all of these
aspects of quality care. As a student I have met most of these, but I am unable to meet all until I
am able to practice as an RN. I have not met, timely, efficient and safe in regards to the ANAs
definition of quality nursing practice. When I am a nurse I will develop skills of efficient and
timely care, I would say my care is not safe at this point in related to my knowledge. I am still
learning medications and how they impact patient, along with side effects. I plan to achieve those
qualities I have not met after working with my license and developing these skills and more
knowledge on patient populations.
The fourth standard I have not met yet is Professional Practice Evaluation, Standard 14.
Evaluation is the process of determining the progress toward attainment of expected outcomes,
including effectiveness of care. The professional RN has a responsibility to engage in evaluation
activities to maintain and enhance her or his professional performance as part of accountability to
the healthcare consumer and to the profession (White, p. 187, 2012). This is the definition from
The essential guide to nursing practice: Applying ANAs scopes and standards to practice and
education. The standard continues to explain, While engaging in periodic and systematic selfevaluation of professional performance, the RN compares personal knowledge, skills, and
abilities, to establish criteria (White, p. 187, 2012). With this, I feel I cannot achieve this
standard until I am working as an RN. It is difficult to evaluate yourself as a nurse if you are not
practicing as a nurse; I plan to meet this after I am employed. Where I currently work, staff has
an annual evaluation that includes self and other staff. This helps to find what we can improve on
and to know what expectations we are meeting.

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

The fifth standard I have not met is Resource Utilization, Standard 15. ANA defines this
as, the amount of good or service consumed or the pattern of use of a good or service within a
specified time. The basic resources needed to provide a good or service are financial, human,
technological, and physical (White, p. 193, 2012). It is further explained as, a dynamic
process; nurses and other healthcare providers must be able identify the costs of care or the costs
of an illness in order to identify necessary resources and to manage resource utilization in health
care(White, p. 193, 2012). This is something that a leader or manager role would best meet. A
nurse may develop this with experience and knowledge, the best example I can think of is
discharge. Nurses often have a say in when a patient is discharged in collaboration with the
physician. Quality and enhanced care may benefit toward resource utilization the most, as the
patient can recover faster and have less in-hospital expenses. Mangers have a better idea of what
it can cost for a patients stay or how much equipment and other supplies are costing the unit. It is
important for nurses to charge patients appropriately for supplies as they are used on the unit.
This is another standard that is hard to meet unless I am practicing as a nurse. I plan to meet this
with quality patient care and knowledge of what is an expected cost for illness, such as supplies,
equipment and medications.
The last standard I plan to meet is Standard 12, Leadership. White (2012) defines
leadership as a professional responsibility shared by all registered nurses at all levels of practice
in all settings. It can be learned, is deliberate, and is not tied to a particular position in an
organization (p. 163,). When thinking of leadership I thought of managing many staff on a floor.
I did not think of the role a nurse has on other staff. All RNs provide direction and guidance and
exercise the process of influence everyday, in every aspect of practice (White, p. 164, 2012).
This helped me believe I could meet this standard in the future. I do not have the confidence or

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knowledge to guide others at this point in my career. As I gain my experience I will develop
characteristics to direct staff. I will be able to develop a plan to attain and maintain my leadership
when I am able to feel confident in my nursing profession. This may take a few years to develop
this confidence and lead individuals.
Conclusion
There are many standards provided by the ANA. Many of these will take time and
knowledge for me to meet them. I believe that I am able to meet standards 7-16 in time as I
further my nursing profession. I do not feel there are any standards I do not intend to meet as
many are a part of the nursing development process, they will be met as I gain experience.
Understanding theses standards and evaluating myself if I have met or not met them has given
me the opportunity to know what is expected of me and what I have achieved since starting the
nursing program. Nursing is a constant developing, dynamic, and evolving profession where we
will learn everyday. Standards I have not met as of now are likely to be met in the future.
Improving my education and gaining experience will help me meet the ANA Scope and
Standards of Nursing Practice and allow me to provide quality care to patients.

SELF-ASSESSMENT ANA STANDARDS

Reference
White, K., OSullivan, A. (2012). The essential guide to nursing practice: Applying ANAs
scopes and standards to practice and education. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses
Association

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