Contemporary Nursing Practice Essay
How nursing practice has changed over time and how this evolution has changed the scope of practice and approach to treating the individual
Undoubtedly, change is inevitable in the context of nursing practice, considering the past and current dynamics in demographic, legal, professional, technological, and ethical domains. According to Hebda et al. (2019), the emergence of competing demands, including the calls for increased quality, safety, and transparency, alongside the need to integrate advanced technologies into clinical practices has significantly transformed nursing practice and the scope of practice for healthcare professionals. In the same breath, the overarching objectives of curtailing care costs and crossing the quality chasm by improving process safety, effectiveness, timeliness, and efficiency have increased the demand for patient-centered, equitable care (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017). Consequently, these demands have necessitated the need for nurses to advance their knowledge and skills to comprehend the dynamics of care, understand the tenets of patient-centered, evidence-based care, and uphold the principles of cultural sensitivity, and ethical care. In essence, nurses are now knowledge workers and have more autonomy to influence care trajectories by applying leadership, research, management, and clinical skills to complement the need for population-oriented and patient-centered care.
The differentiated practice competencies between an associate (ADN) and baccalaureate (BSN) education in nursing
Learners with the desire and determination to pursue nursing courses can choose an associate (ADN) or a baccalaureate (BSN) degree. Although the two nursing education programs equip learners with the much-sought-after technical and theoretical knowledge for care delivery, they vary in various aspects, including the expected time for completion and the skill focus. Brusie (2021) argues that an associate degree in nursing (ADN) takes two-or-three years, while a baccalaureate degree (BSN) takes at least four years and is available at universities. In terms of skill focus, an associate degree in nursing primarily equips learners with clinical skills and knowledge of nursing procedures (Brusie, 2021). On the other hand, a BSN program prepares nursing learners with more diverse skills and competencies, including leadership and management competencies, research, and clinical skills.
Amidst the prevailing changes in nursing practice, ADN nurses are responsible for performing basic care processes, including recording patients’ medical histories, documenting symptoms, and using medical equipment. On the other hand, BSN nurses are more susceptible to the scope of practice changes due to their diverse skills and professional responsibilities. In this sense, they are responsible for integrating evidence-based practice (EBP), advocating for patients and communities, utilizing informaticists to improve decisions and solve problems, and implementing measures to prevent diseases and safeguard patient safety.
How do nursing care, or approaches to decision-making differ between BSN-prepared nurses and the ADN nurses in a specific client care situation?
In a situation where a patient exhibits symptoms of a chronic condition like diabetes, BSN-prepared nurses can make more informed decisions than ADN nurses. According to Nibbelink &/ Bremer (2018), decision-making in clinical practice is consistent with the ability to incorporate evidence and utilize experience. In this sense, BSN-prepared nurses can apply research skills, leadership and management competencies, and clinical skills to make better decisions regarding the tenets of patient-centered care. On the other hand, ADN nurses will be constrained in such a situation due to the underlying deficiencies in evidence-based practice competencies, although they will play a significant role in providing basic care services.
The significance of applying evidence-based practice to nursing care and how the academic preparation of RN-BSN nurses supports its application
Undoubtedly, BSN-prepared nurses are responsible for integrating evidence-based practice into nursing care. According to Degu et al. (2022), evidence-based practice entails applying the best scientific evidence in informing decisions and solving clinical problems. This concept can potentially improve client health outcomes since it enables nurses to leverage scientific knowledge and implement proven care interventions. Further, EBP enables healthcare professionals to build their knowledge, address the chasm between nursing education, research, and practice, and critically analyze situations consistent with the developed body of knowledge (Abu-Baker et al., 2021). Eventually, applying this concept is consistent with improved clinical practices, improved decisions, and an enhanced capacity to solve nursing problems.
BSN-prepared nurses have an academic background that supports the application of evidence-based practice. For instance, the BSN program emphasizes the ability to utilize the best available scientific evidence by equipping learners with prerequisite skills and competencies. For example, BSN students learn about the appropriate frameworks and models of locating, selecting and appraising evidence sources, including scholarly journals, expert opinions, books, and publications. Also, they acquire knowledge of proven approaches for translating scientific knowledge to practice. Undoubtedly, such learning opportunities enable them to apply academic knowledge in future applications of evidence-based practice.
How do nurses communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support safer and more effective client outcomes?
Nurses are responsible for collaborating with patients and other healthcare professionals to form interdisciplinary teams amidst the need to shift from nurse-led to patient-centered care. According to Yamamoto (2022), nurses can collaborate with patients and other healthcare professionals by improving communication, coordinating services, and setting consensus goals. To ensure team effectiveness, it is essential to embrace a proper leadership style, provide consultation opportunities, and apply effective approaches for solving conflicts and improving interpersonal relationships.
Interprofessional collaboration and interdisciplinary team performance are profound approaches to improving patient safety and care quality. Yamamoto (2022) contends that nurse participation in interprofessional teams improves care coordination, provides opportunities for sharing knowledge and experiences, and enhances clinical decisions by creating avenues for consensus decisions. Finally, involving patients in interdisciplinary teams can improve health quality by enabling healthcare professionals to provide patient care.
Conclusion
BSN-prepared nurses have a broad scope of practice compared to ADN nurses. Therefore, they bear the massive responsibility of thriving in dynamic healthcare systems. As a strategy to provide quality care to high-diverse consumer populations, BSN nurses acquire knowledge of evidence-based practice and are responsible for collaborating with patients and other healthcare professionals to ensure care coordination and continuity. Undoubtedly, these considerations position them at a forefront role in healthcare leadership, research, clinical practices, and management.
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References
Abu-Baker, N. N., AbuAlrub, S., Obeidat, R. F., & Assmairan, K. (2021). Evidence-based practice beliefs and implementations: A cross-sectional study among undergraduate nursing students. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-020-00522-x
Brusie, C. (2021, September 1). ADN vs BSN: What Nursing degree should you get? Nurse.org. https://nurse.org/education/adn-vs-bsn-degree/
Degu, A. B., Yilma, T. M., Beshir, M. A., & Inthiran, A. (2022). Evidence-based practice and its associated factors among point-of-care nurses working at the teaching and specialized hospitals of Northwest Ethiopia: A concurrent study. PLOS ONE, 17(5), e0267347. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267347
Hebda, T., Hunter, K., & Czar, P. (2019). Handbook of informatics for nurses and healthcare professionals (6th ed.). Pearson.
Nibbelink, C. W., & Brewer, B. B. (2018). Decision-making in nursing practice: An integrative literature review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(5-6), 917–928. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14151
Salmond, S. W., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare transformation and changing roles for nursing. Orthopaedic Nursing, 36(1), 12–25. https://doi.org/10.1097/nor.0000000000000308
YAMAMOTO, K. (2022). Association between interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership ability in intensive care unit nurses: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Nursing Research, 30(2), e202. https://doi.org/10.1097/jnr.0000000000000483
Contemporary Nursing Practice
Assessment Description
The field of nursing has changed over time. In a 750‐1,000-word paper, discuss nursing practice today by addressing the following:
- Explain how nursing practice has changed over time and how this evolution has changed the scope of practice and the approach to treating the individual.
- Compare the differentiated practice competencies between an associate (ADN) and baccalaureate (BSN) education in nursing. Explain how scope of practice changes between an associate and baccalaureate nurse.
- Identify a specific client care situation and describe how nursing care, or approaches to decision making, differ between the BSN‐prepared nurse and the ADN nurse.
- Discuss the significance of applying evidence‐based practice to nursing care and explain how the academic preparation of the RN‐BSN nurse supports its application.
- Discuss how nurses today communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and how this supports safer and more effective client outcomes.
Review the “APA Formatting Tutorial,” located in Class Resources. Utilize the APA paper template and the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center, to ensure correct paper formatting when preparing applicable assignments.
You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be appropriate for the assignment and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
REFERENCES MUST BE 2017-2022
Rubric Criteria
Nursing Practice Changes, Scope of Practice, and Approach to Client Care
Nursing Practice Changes, Scope of Practice, and Approach to Client Care
The essay comprehensively explains how nursing practice has changed over time, including how these changes have impacted the scope of practice and the approach to treating the individual.
Criteria Description
Comparison of Differentiated Practice Competencies and Scope of Practice
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The comparison of the differentiated practice competencies between the ADN and BSN is comprehensive. A detailed and well thought out explanation for how the scope of practice changes between an associate- and baccalaureate-prepared nurse is provided.
Criteria Description
Nursing Care or Approaches to Decision Making Regarding Client Care Differences
A specific client care situation is identified, and a comprehensive description of how nursing care or approaches to decision making differ between the BSN-prepared nurse and the ADN nurse is provided.
criteria Description
Nursing Care or Approaches to Decision Making Regarding Client Care Differences
A specific client care situation is identified, and a comprehensive description of how nursing care or approaches to decision making differ between the BSN-prepared nurse and the ADN nurse is provided.
The Significance of Applying Evidence-Based Practice to Nursing Care and the RN-BSN-Prepared Nurse
Criteria Description
The Significance of Applying Evidence-Based Practice to Nursing Care and the RN-BSN-Prepared Nurse
There is a comprehensive discussion about the significance of applying evidence-based practice to nursing care and a detailed explanation of how the academic preparation of the RN-BSN nurse supports its application.
Criteria Description
Nursing Communication and Collaboration with Interdisciplinary Teams to Support Client Outcomes
The essay includes a comprehensive discussion about how nurses today communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. A comprehensive explanation of how this would support safer and more effective client outcomes is included.
Criteria Description
Nursing Communication and Collaboration with Interdisciplinary Teams to Support Client Outcomes
The essay includes a comprehensive discussion about how nurses today communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. A comprehensive explanation of how this would support safer and more effective client outcomes is included.
Thesis, Position, or Purpose
Criteria Description
Communicates reason for writing and demonstrates awareness of audience.
The thesis, position, or purpose is persuasively developed throughout and skillfully directed to a specific audience.
Development, Structure, and Conclusion
1
Criteria Description
Advances position or purpose throughout writing; conclusion aligns to and evolves from development.
The thesis, position, or purpose is coherently and cohesively advanced throughout. The progression of ideas is coherent and unified. A convincing and unambiguous conclusion aligns to the development of the purpose.Evidence
Criteria Description
Selects and integrates evidence to support and advance position/purpose; considers other perspectives.
Comprehensive and compelling evidence is included. Multiple other perspectives are integrated effectively
Development, Structure, and Conclusion
Criteria Description
Advances position or purpose throughout writing; conclusion aligns to and evolves from development.
The thesis, position, or purpose is coherently and cohesively advanced throughout. The progression of ideas is coherent and unified. A convincing and unambiguous conclusion aligns to the development of the purpose.
Mechanics of Writing
Criteria Description
Includes spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, language use, sentence structure, etc.
No mechanical errors are present. Skilled control of language choice and sentence structure are used throughout.
Format/Documentation
Criteria Description
Uses appropriate style, such as APA, MLA, etc., for college, subject, and level; documents sources using citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., appropriate to assignment and discipline.
No errors in formatting or documentation are present. Selectivity in the use of direct quotations and synthesis of sources is demonstrated.