Online Companion: Fundamentals of Nursing Standards and Practice 2E
Frequently Asked
Questions
How has nursing
defined itself as a profession?
Nursing has defined itself as a profession by establishing a body of scientific
knowledge based on scientific and clinical research, denoting a scope of practice
that is clearly based on defined standards of care and by maintaining a code
of ethics based on the concept of professional accountability.
What is the difference
between accreditation, certification and licensure? Give an example of each.
Accreditation refers to a process whereby a nongovernmental agency grants a
recognized status to an organization that has satisfied specific criteria. Accreditation
is usually time specific and the process is reviewed as defined by the granting
agency. An example of accreditation is when JCAHO (Joint Commission for Accreditation
of Healthcare Organizations) visits a hospital and reviews the facility for
compliance to specific JCAHO criteria and if satisfied the hospital receives
JCAHO accreditation for a specific period of time.
Certification refers to an individual who is already licensed and ha s satisfied
specific criteria regarding specialized knowledge and/pr skills that are above
the minimum entry level of practice. An example of certification is when a nurse
receives certification from the ANA (American Nurses Association) for satisfying
specific requirements (theory plus clinical practice) in the area of defined
clinical specialties such as medical-surgical nursing, obstetrical nursing or
advanced practice. Once certification is successfully attained, the nurse is
required to continue to meet criteria of specialization either through continuing
education, practice or by examination.
Licensure refers to minimum standards of competency that are set by a government
agency (state level) that are met by an individual that allows the capacity
to function as a professional nurse either through exam or by endorsement. Licensure
requirements are initially satisfied and then maintained via the process of
license renewal by meeting specific criteria relative to continuing education
competency.
How has the nursing
profession traditionally defined methods of assuring accountability to the public?
Nurses must meet minimum competency in order to first take the licensure exam
denoting that theory and clinical information has been validated and that their
ability to practice is within safe standards. The concept of ongoing education
is stressed during the formal training of nursing school and once licensure
has been realized, the professional nurse must take continuing education credits
in order to maintain evidence of knowledge and clinical competency. A minimum
number of credit hours is required by each state and specific elements such
as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, end of life care issues and medication errors
must be included for all nurses who continue to practice for each renewal period.
The process of certification also provides a method of assuring accountability
to the public for it denotes that the nurse has received additional training
in a specialized field of nursing and has satisfied specific criteria that denote
either clinical excellence and increased attainment of knowledge.
What is the difference
between leadership and management in nursing practice?
Leadership involves the interpersonal process whereby an individual nurse influences,
motivates or guides other members of the health care team in order to realize
mutually set goals. There are different types of leadership styles but the common
element shared is to positively motivate others using their combined power (synergy)
rather than do the task alone. Management involves the common elements of planning,
organizing, directing, controlling and decision-making. The nurse effectively
uses the concept of practice management during each client interaction and throughout
each nursing shift. All nurses strive to be effective managers in terms of client
care delivery but not all nurses are effective leaders.
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