Exploring Nursing Practice and Research

This assignment involves exploring nursing practice and research by analyzing a collection of documents related to nursing education, practice, and research. The provided texts cover various topics such as family health care nursing, home modifications to reduce injuries from falls, recommendations for professional nursing practice in long-term care homes, and more. Students are expected to carefully review the assigned texts, identify relevant information, and complete a task that demonstrates their understanding of the subject matter.

Running head: REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
‘Nursing’ is the provision of medical and therapeutic health, to ensure optimum recovery
of the patient. Along with the dissemination of compassionate care, the assurance of quality
organizational functioning and maintenance also forms a salient part of the nurse’s role in
medical and health care (Wilson et al., 2016). The following essay is a reflective review, based
upon the execution of contemporary practices in nursing.
As opined by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health care, ‘Clinical
Governance’, implies rules, regulations, commitments and duties, as formulated by associated
departments concerned with the functioning of executives, clinicians, patients as well as
consumers, for the deliverance of standard medical services. It ensures the establishment and
adequate functioning of the existent community and state level organizations, for the provision of
efficient healthcare policies (Spigelman & Rendalls, 2015). It is of utmost importance for the
consumers, to undertake adequate participation for the formulation and modification of their
ongoing treatment procedures. Active consumer participation is imperative for the procurement
and enhancement of patient-appropriate treatment procedures (Coyne, 2015). One of the primary
procedures enhancing consumer participation in health care is at an individual platform. This can
be performed through the implementation of the policies of family-centered care, where the
patient, as well as the patient’s families, will undertake interactive strategies with the concerned
medical staff, for the improvement and monitoring of the present treatment plan, in order to
deliver optimum, patient-oriented health care services. An additional method is at the
organizational platform, where customers will engage in active participation in the decision-
making policies of the concerned medical organization, through groups such as consumer
advisory organizations (Kaakinen et al., 2018).

2REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
The National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards, have been formulated by the
Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare, for the purpose of deliverance of
optimum health and medical services to the patients, with clear emphasis on the importance of
establishing consumer participation (Dent, harden & Hunt, 2017). As a registered nurse, it is a
part of my principle, to abide by and ensure the same. Implementation of the provision of family-
centered care is an essential and efficient procedure through which I can enhance consumer
participation. The execution of the same, will require me, to actively communicate with my
patients, as well as their concerned families, regarding their existing treatment plan, and fulfill
the required modifications, with respect to interactive and adequate information deliverance to
the consumer group in question (Kaakinen et al., 2018). Provision of adequate follow up reports
to the families, will also be of utmost importance, to further ensure consumer participation.
Performance of adequate feedback strategies, through interpersonal communication or personal
interviews, is an additional strategy, which I may implement, which will not only aid in the
deliverance of appropriate customer satisfaction, but also in the provision of improved medical
services, achieved through active consumer participation (de Vries et al., 2016).
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, formulated the
primary principles for the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, with active
communication between numerous departments concerned with medical and health safety, such
as stakeholders, judiciaries, customers as well as patients. Out of the ten standards, which have
been established for the deliverance of quality and standardized healthcare, the final standard
outlines the importance of prevention of patient falls, as well as the prevention of negative health
implications resulting from patient falls (Greenfield et al., 2015). The fulfillment of this standard,
is the execution of principles in healthcare organizations, in order to avoid the incidences of falls

3REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
in patients, as well as the provision of healthcare strategies to mitigate its occurrences. As stated
by the Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society, falls are prevalent in over 30% of
patients, in the retirement ages. The medical implications are severe, which involves patients
suffering from fractures and injuries (Keall et al., 2015). The geriatric population is not only
highly susceptible to encountering falls, but also to prolonged recovery rates and medical
unpreparedness in the light of the surgery required. Improper implementation of adequate
preventative practices will further result in a heightened sense of fear and insecurity in the
afflicted patients, followed by distorted mobility and a reduced quality of life. Faulty
management of falls encountered may also lead to the occurrence of ‘long lie’ in the concerned
patient, which is characterized by prolonged periods of social isolation, malaise and increased
morbidity and mortality (Sadeghi et al., 2017).
For the prevention of falls and the resultant health outcomes in the patient, it is a part of
my duty as a registered nurse, to undertake and perform the necessary health service measures.
One of the most efficient ways of implementation of the same, is the execution of the ‘four P’s’,
during my conductance of hourly rounds with the patients. I must execute frequent patient visits
and assist the patient during the act of position alteration, performance of toiletry activities,
supervised movement of the patient and ensuring mitigation and prevention of pains resulting
from falls (Fabry, 2015). An additional strategy, which will yield beneficial results, is the
conductance of effective interactive communication with the patients. I must educate the patients
regarding the health outcomes resulted by falls and the necessity for patients to call for
supervision when required. Adoption of such strategies as a registered nurse will not only result
in positive health outcomes, but also in the prevalent of enhanced confidence and a sense of
security amongst my patients (Pfortmueller, Lindner & Exadaktylos, 2014).

4REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
The term ‘Leadership’ involves the implementation of guidance and strategies, which aim
to regulate the activities of an organization through the fulfillment of organizational goals
(Bolman & Deal, 2017). With respect to nursing, registered nurses are required to deliver
adequate and active leadership qualities, with respect to the challenges encountered daily in a
medical and healthcare scenario. One of the key leadership strategies, which will enhance
nursing functioning, would be the implementation of a supportive leadership style, which will
encourage supervisory support and interactive communication amongst the staff. This will
require the senior registered nurses to not only direct the concerned staff, but also to supervise
and support their functioning efficiently. This will aid in adequate practical application of
theoretical practices, as well a reduction in occupational stresses (McGilton, 2016). An
additional procedure by registered nurses is the utilization of reflective as well as appropriate
feedback mechanisms. When the workforce is encouraged to reflect on their performance, there
will be improved workforce understanding and the resultant improved dissemination of quality
medical services. The usage of feedback will not only aid in the understanding of the concerned
nurses regarding the credibility of her leadership strategies, but also in the development of
quality relationships between the concerned workforce (Giesbers et al., 2016).
Upon completion of the Leadership Skills Inventory, I was enlightened with the diverse
supervisory and technical qualities that I may possess, and the required amendments that I am
required to execute, in order to result in improved and optimum transmission of quality patient
medical care. With respect to my technical skills, my score falls under the high range. From this,
I may imply that despite my adequate theoretical knowledge, engaging in further research will
enhance my technical skills. My human skill score falls under a moderate range. This implies
that there is a requirement for improvement in my conductance of interpersonal communication

5REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
with my patients, which is imperative for their rapid recovery and treatment. This can be
improved through engagement in actively studying the details of my patient’s disease scenario,
has well as displaying empathy through increasing active communication. My conceptual skills
also fall under the moderate range, and as is reflected in the inventory questionnaire, I face slight
difficulties in understanding organizational functioning and novel intricacies. With respect to
this, I feel conductance of adequate communication with my senior supervisors would be helpful,
since experienced assistance would further enlighten me regarding organizational concepts,
which seem difficult for my understanding.
‘Learning’ is defined by alterations in one’s behavior, as a response to fulfillment of
goals empowered by experiences. With respect to establishment of an effective learning culture
in an organization, the execution of a number of strategies, is imperative (Savery, 2015). One of
the key characteristics in a learning culture is the utilization of supportive managerial practices,
which involves the utilization of adequate senior assistance in the conductance of workforce
activities. Additionally, in a learning culture, horizontal modes of communication are utilized,
where every delegate is accountable for communication, resulting in a collective functioning of
the overall workforce in uncovering the solution to a problem (Hahn, Lee & Lee, 2015). In such
situations, outlining a learning culture, shortcomings are considered normal, followed by assisted
mitigation of the same, with the help of synchronized functioning of multiple departments,
highlighting a beneficial inter-departmental relationship. Lastly, in a learning culture, the
organizational performance is measured, not just on quantitative, but also on qualitative terms,
which further enhance consumer satisfaction and future managerial improvements (Winkler &
Fyffe, 2016).

6REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
Utilization of an appropriate learning culture is essential for ensuring optimum provision
of quality health care facilities and workforce functioning in an organization concerned with the
deliverance of health care. Registered nurses play a key role in the implementation of effective
learning culture, and being one belonging to the concerned field, I am required to conduct
effective strategies ensuring the success of the same (De Bono, Heling & Bong, 2014). One of
the key procedures which I can perform, in order to deliver a learning culture, is the
dissemination of the required theoretical knowledge to my workers, and then ensure practical
application of the same. I can ensure the fulfillment of this, through actively educating and
assisting my team members, in the conductance of the necessary medical practices, since
experienced supervision, forms the crux of development of a learning culture (Berta et al., 2015).
An additional method, through which I can ensure a learning culture in my organization, is
through the encouragement of my team members and staff, to engage in active interpersonal
communication, which will prove beneficial in the sharing of innovative ideas, improvement of
existing medical practices further resulting in the establishment of healthy occupational
relationships amongst the organization. Being a registered nurse, the implementation of the
aforementioned strategies will not only aid in the development of a learning culture, but also in
the improvement of the workforce functioning in the concerned medical organization
(Henderson et al., 2014).
Often occupational stresses, lead to the development of role conflict amongst nurses. The
term ‘Role Conflict’, describes a feeling or an attitude in the concerned worker, where he is she
feels confused and stressed regarding the multiple responsibilities required for commitment,
followed by a difficulty to ensure satisfaction at every platform. It is typically characterized by
the presence of incompatible performances, based on the nature of multiple roles burdened upon

7REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
the concerned worker, which further result in faulty work performance (Belias et al., 2015). The
prevalence of role conflict amongst seniors and registered nurses is common amongst the
workforce in a medical department. In organizations concerned with deliverance of healthcare,
the presence of multiple departments and inter-disciplinary professionals, leads to role conflict
amongst nurses, since it is a part of their duty to report their performance to various multi-
specialty departments (Rovithis et al., 2017). Such presence of role conflict negatively effects the
functioning of registered nurses, which is reflected through the display of increased levels of
occupational stress, a sense of insecurity in the work environment, reduced willingness to deliver
services for the benefit of the customers as well as the principles of the organization, and
detrimental effects of psychological and physiological health (Greenglass & Burke, 2016).
Being a registered nurse, it is imperative to ensure my mental and physical well-being, in
order to reduce ongoing occupational levels of stress, as well as ensure improved functioning
during my activities concerned with the betterment of patients. Since the medical working
environment is imperative to conflicts and stress, I aim to undertake basic self-care strategies,
which ensure my sound health. One of the major procedures, which I can employ, is to
distinguish my personal life from my professional life. Allowing my occupational health to
infiltrate my personal space, will prevent me from engaging in adequate recreational and leisure
based activities. Hence, I must try to strictly maintain my personal and professional lives, in
order to ensure adequate self-care (Lindquist, Tracy & Snyder, Additionally, I must establish
clear communication networks with my staff, and impart awareness regarding the necessity to
execute clarified professional relationships in the workplace. Deliverance of strictly professional
communication, without drawing in personal touches during a situation of occupational stress, is
imperative, not only for the assurance of a healthy work environment, but also in the ensuring of

8REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
a sound emotional and physical health amongst registered nurses (Trotter-Mathison & Skovholt,
2014). Hence, despite the presence of increases role conflict and stress, I believe that with the
execution of such self-care strategies, it will be possible for me to function effectively at the
workplace.
Hence, to conclude, despite the implementation of efficient occupational policies, in the
field of contemporary nursing practices, one has to engage in adequate personal care routines, to
ensure optimum health and performance.

9REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
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10REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
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11REFLECTION ON NURSING PRACTICES
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