Professional Accountability in Nursing

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PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Name:
Institution:
Tutor:
Date:

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Professional Accountability
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the professional, ethical and legal requirements of the
Registered Nurse.
There are four ethical principles that guide the day to day activities of the nursing profession.
The principles in picture include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice (Robinson,
2017, p. 12). Autonomy is the respect for the patient’s choice. This principle basically allows the
patient to make a choice which they deems fit or suitable for themselves. During my clinical
placement, I came across a case where relatives of the patient told me not to disclose information
to the patient about a wrong prognosis. I did defy the odds based on the principle of autonomy
and told the patient the truth. This is because telling lies would have made the patient make the
best choice. The principle of beneficence aims at maximum benefits to the patient while non
maleficence is to avoid harm to the patient. I demonstrated both the two principles on the same
patient by giving him the best care and avoiding harm by comfortably placing him in a good
environment. Finally, I utilized the principle of justice as well as legal requirements by
respecting the rights of the patient such as the right to treatment.
2. Demonstrated ability to work within a team
Working with a team is working with people or professions from the same fields or departments.
Ability to work within a team is key especially in Hospital setting since the hospital is full of
different teams or professions like the Doctors, pharmacists and social workers. While I was on
clinical placement, I did demonstrate the ability to work within a team by working with doctors
during surgery sessions. The other way I demonstrated the ability to work within a team was
through consulting different professions like the pharmacists to seek clarification on the best