Transiting from Student RN to Graduate RN

Running Head: STUDENT RN TO GRADUATE RN
TRANSITING FROM STUDENT RN TO GRADUATE RN
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STUDENT RN TO GRADUATE RN
Introduction
Nurses in Australia need to follow standards of care as has been described by the Nursing
and Midwifery Board Registration Standards of Australia (Cashin, 2017). The Nursing Practice
Decision Flow Chart details out certain key responsibilities that a registered nurse needs to
follow. Nurses need to undertake evidence-based nursing care for patients along with
multidisciplinary teams. Nurses are expected to promote and facilitate quality along with safety
in patient care (Scanlon, Cashin, Watson & Bryce, 2012). Most importantly nurses need to
uphold nursing values of compassion, accountability, and continuous learning and teamwork. As
a student of nursing, one has to imbibe the values and best practices such that quality care can be
provided to the patient (Moxham, 2012). In the current case study analysis, nursing standards of
care have been demonstrated for a patient with hypoglycemia. There are two distinct areas of
nursing competencies that have been evaluated for the situation using the STAR acronym. A
brief recommendation for future practice has also been included.
Analysis
Nurses need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia
(NMBA). While in their practice, they need to meet the professional standards that have been
provided by the Board (Birks, Davis, Smithson & Cant, 2016). The professional standards
include the code of conduct, code of ethics and standards for practice. A registered nurse (RN)
has to be evidence-based and person-centered. Such a professional can provide restorative,
supportive and palliative elements for working in therapeutic and professional roles with
patients, families and with the broader community (Scanlon et al, 2016).
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STUDENT RN TO GRADUATE RN
Situation: In the current competency evaluation a patient suffering from hypoglycemia
has been undertaken. Hypoglycemia is characterized by low sugar in the blood, which is
generally below normal levels (Cashin et al, 2015). The patient witnessed trouble in taking,
confusion, clumsiness and was brought to the hospital on losing consciousness. The male patient,
aged 52 years, was unemployed and divorced, he had been earlier also admitted to the hospital
on similar grounds. He had a history of shakiness, weakness, excessive sweating and hunger.
The patient had to be brought to consciousness and given treatment was assigned the role
of an RN at the hospital. The situation was critical as it involved bringing the patient to senses
and also maintaining the vital statistics, to ensure the safety of the patient. The Governance for
Safety and Quality in Health Service Organisations had to be followed and most importantly
Standard 8 of Preventing and Managing Pressure Injuries had to be followed (National Safety
and Quality Health Service Standards 2012).
Task: The patient had a past history of medication and similar admissions, hence it
needs to be ensured that the patient does not get pressure related injuries. There is already
present a management system for preventing pressure injuries such protocols has to be
monitored. An RN has to ensure the implementation of procedures and policies with the best
guidelines. Monitoring regularly, clinical and administrative data will allow investigating the
severity and frequency of pressure injuries (El Haddad, Moxham & Broadbent, 2017). In case an
incident takes place, then action needs to be taken to prevent pressure injuries and reported to the
highest governance levels.
Tasks need to be achieved is making sure effective implementation of prevention
strategies for the patient by making available devices and equipment. As the patient earlier had
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