Running head: EVALUATION OF MY CURRENT NURSING PRACTICE

Evaluation of My Current Nursing Practice Shannon Sheffer Ferris State University NURS 324 Dr. Coon January 25, 2013

EVALUATION OF MY CURRENT NURSING PRACTICE Abstract

Evaluating my current nursing practice is just like reflecting on my whole career. To look back over the years that I have been a nurse and see the growth I have achieved in my profession is a great feeling. Looking back and remembering the times of defeat with school, followed by the times of triumph with patients made it all worth it. My current nursing practice is one that I am proud and reliant upon. I believe that I am a great nurse, not only clinically but also by building the foundation of relationships with both my patients and my peers. My practice is based upon my state guidelines as well as parameters set by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses that sets the standards for my practice and policies in the operating room. This paper is a small glimpse of the type of nurse I have become.

EVALUATION OF MY CURRENT NURSING PRACTICE Evaluation of My Current Nursing Practice To reflect and evaluate my nursing practice thus far is a little daunting. To think back

over the last eleven years and judge where I started at in my nursing career to where I am now is outstanding. To think of all the hard work and sleepless nights that went into getting me here today is a feat all its own. I am not only proud of being a nurse, but defined by it. Here is where I see myself as a nurse currently. Current Practice Delivering Quality Care First of all, I follow the rules and regulations set out by the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), and my hospital policies. By doing this, it ensures that I do not make the same mistakes that other nurses have in the past. It also helps me to perform my nursing duties at a high level of safety, precision, and efficiency. Secondly, I attempt to treat each of my patients as if they were a member of my family. I believe that this allows me to view each patient with empathy, and it increases the quality of care that I give. I also believe that this way of practice helps contribute to the patient feeling cared for and comforted. Education To continue to keep up to date with current events and regulations of my practice set forth by my board of nursing, I am required to have continuing education (CE) classes. At the hospital I practice in, we are also required to participate in yearly refresher classes on infrequent or new procedures. These classes are specific to my department, which is the operating room (OR). The CE courses are required, and every OR employee must attend, participate, and test out by demonstrating competence in each area of study. These courses are either delivered online

EVALUATION OF MY CURRENT NURSING PRACTICE through the computer or taught by an instructor. The CE credits cover a variety of material such as sharp safety, proper counting techniques, positioning and prepping refresher courses, and updates of gadgets and machines used regularly in the operating room environment. How to Evaluate Practice

There are several ways in which I am able to determine my level of nursing practice. First of all, I have an annual one-on-one meeting with my manager to discuss my work ethic and performance. During this meeting, we also talk about any issues I have, things I could improve upon, thinks that I do well, and etcetera. Secondly, the OR gives annual peer reviews. I am required to fill out a form of key questions on my co-workers practice, ethic, quality of care, teamwork, and general knowledge of nursing. This provides an opportunity for me to evaluate myself and also a chance to see how some of my peers view my nursing practice. Work and Play with Others I believe that I work and collaborate extremely well with other. In my opinion, I believe that collaboration is a vital importance to patient safety (especially in the OR where you are required to collaborate with surgeons, certified surgical assistants, surgical technologists, nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist, nursing aids, physician assistants, other registered nurses, not to mention all the other ancillary departments and their staff). In my specialty, I often help others by doing the initial sponge and needle counts, instrument counts, or aid in positioning during difficult cases. I always offer to help o any needs that they may have, whether they be personal or professional in nature. In the OR, we are a very tight nit group of people, so relationships with everyone are not only a requirement, but a necessity for our patients.

EVALUATION OF MY CURRENT NURSING PRACTICE Example of Interdisciplinary Team I believe that every case in the OR requires me to work as part of an interdisciplinary team. Before the surgical case begins, I must cooperate with the pre-operative area to make sure that the patient is prepped and ready for surgery. I must then work with a member of the anesthesia team to bring the patient back to the operating room to anesthetize the patient. I then collaborate with the surgical technologist, surgeon, and the surgical assistant during the procedure to ensure the patients safety. Post-operatively, I must work with the post-anesthesia care unit and transfer the patient into their caring and capable hands. This chain of events

requires cooperation and collaboration in order to make the patients surgical experience safe and smooth. Ethics I believe my current nursing practice closely follow the code of ethics laid out for nurses from the American Nurses Association. The specialty in which I work allows practice of a few ethical standards more than others. For example, I practice patient confidentiality on a daily basis by not discussing the patients surgery or gossiping about a patients situation with other healthcare providers who are not caring for the patient. Other ethical standards, such as the code that states the nurse will assist the patient in making informed healthcare decisions, I do not use very often because I have limited contact with the conscious patient. By the time I talk to the patient, the decision to proceed with surgery is already made. Practice Based on Research I personally have never conducted research on my own. However, I do believe that my practice is based on the many discoveries and findings of others research. I believe that research is the foundational basis for safe, effective, efficient, and quality of care.

EVALUATION OF MY CURRENT NURSING PRACTICE I have changed my practice based on some research. About a year ago, another coordinator from work distributed an article about proper positioning of a patients legs while in yellow fin stirrups. After reading this article, I now double and triple check all of the angles and bends in the patients knees as well as hips. This proper patient positioning helps me to prevent pinched nerves as well as a multitude of other possible injuries. I changed my practice voluntarily after reading the article. Resources

As a nurse in the operating room, I do not refer patient to other resources. I see the patient for approximately 10 minutes before they are anesthetized for surgery. I do believe that I am cost effective in my care. I do not open up expensive surgical supplies until the surgeon is sure he/she is going to utilize them during the procedure. I also help in trying to reduce the cost to the OR by finding ways to decrease waste. In our department, coordinators look for alternate ways of finding new products for less money and replace the more expensive products with the acceptable replacement. Team Player / Work Environment I do believe that I am a team player. Working in the operating room is like being a part of a large family. I am always willing to lend a helping hand to any and all of my co-workers. I try to come to work with a positive attitude and do my best, knowing that in the end, it will have a positive effect on the attitude of others as well as the outcome of the patient.

EVALUATION OF MY CURRENT NURSING PRACTICE References American Nurses Association. (2001). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Retrieved from www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/ToolsYou-Need/Code-of-Ethics.pdf Association of periOperative Registered Nurses. (2012). Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practice. Retrieved from www.aorn.org/RecommendedPracticesImplementation