Professional Identity - Mary’s Practice in this Case Study

Running head: PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY 1
Professional Identity
Name
Institutional Affiliation

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY 2
Mary’s Practice in this Case Study
Nursing is a regulated profession that is guided by professional and ethical standards.
Professional standards are essential for directing and maintaining a competent and safe nurse
practice in the clinical setting. The standards provide a guiding tool for guiding and assessing
self and colleagues to ensure that safety and proficiency are upheld in the clinical setting. The
professional nursing standards are an evaluation tool that employers can use in case of
suspicious and unsafe working behavior developed by a member of staff who fails to adhere
to the professional, organizational federal and state laws, policies, legislation or guidelines
(Davis, 2016). The aim of this paper is to link nursing practice with the standards of nursing
care. The paper is guided by a case of Mary, a registered nurse who demonstrates unsafe
working habits in the healthcare setting. The study is guided by the following thesis
statement:
Mary’s actions demonstrate a violation of the NMBA standards.
Mary is not meeting the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
standards of nursing practice. The standards require that registered nurses ensure the delivery
of quality and safe care, protect people, and ensure that all employees adhere to their
obligations. They should also report any concerns that undermine the safety and health of the
people, through documentation (NMBA, 2018). The standards require that nurses uphold a
patient-centered approach in the management of the care and concerns of people in a way that
promotes their preferences and values. They should also promote the well-being of the people
and collaborate effectively with them in decision-making (NMBA, 2018).
Mary has failed to uphold the standards by failing to offer adequate leadership and
patient-centered care in the care setting. Mary has also violated the standards of nursing
practice, which require that the nurse respects the dignity and rights of the client. The
standards also require nurses to supervise coordination and consultation in a manner that

PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY 3
results in improved health outcomes (NMBA, 2016). Jo Delaney (2018) cited that patient-
centred care emphasizes communication and collaborative decision-making. Patient-centred
care improved healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction. In Mary’s case, the place is
untidy, and most of the tasks such as cleaning are undone at the end of her shift. Also, the
residents assigned to her are unattended, and Mary is unavailable as she spends most of the
time away from the residents. Mary has failed to deliver patient-centred care and to act
according to the best interest of the residents. This has resulted in poor healthcare outcomes.
Based on the current evidence, Mary has failed to foster therapeutic and person-
centred relationships with the clients. Haugan (2014) posited that nurse-patient interactions
are essential in enhancing the well-being of patients. The interactions guide the way the
patient draw meaning and purpose in life. Meaningful interactions also enhance the physical
psycho-spiritual and mental well-being and functioning of the patients. Haugan (2014)
recommended that nurses need to focus on nurse-patient interactions as a critical resource.
The interactions are achieved through effective communication, self-reflection, and
connectedness with the patients. Mary is unable to integrate these concepts in her practice;
hence failing to establish patient-centred relationships.
Mary can ensure person-centred care and therapeutic relationships by understanding
the expectations of the patients and striving to accomplish them. Wiechula et al. (2015)
pointed out that patients expect that the nurses are compassionate, caring, competent, and
trustworthy. The caring attitudes and behaviours of nurses determine patients’ judgment on
the quality of their interactions and relationships. The nurses need to uphold the clients’
expectations. Communication is critical in enhancing meaningful nurse-patient relationships
(Wiechula et al., 2015). Generally, Mary should effectively communicate with the patient and
colleagues to obtain support in addressing her personal issues while meeting the needs of the
clients.