Evaluating Nurses' Conduct: NMS Code in Early Intervention Scenario

This essay critically examines the behavior of nurses within an Early Intervention Service, focusing on adherence to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code, relevant policies, ethical principles, and legislations such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR 2016. It analyzes the actions of a senior nurse, Adesina, highlighting her ethical conduct in patient care, communication, and confidentiality, as well as her guidance to a student nurse, John. The essay contrasts Adesina's adherence to professional standards with John's initial shortcomings, such as lateness and breaches of patient confidentiality, emphasizing the importance of ethical practice and legal awareness in nursing. It concludes by underscoring the role of ethical guidelines in promoting high-quality patient care and professional responsibility.

Essay

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
Question 1........................................................................................................................................1
Considering current NMS Code, policies, ethical principles, relevant legislations and
guidelines. Identification, discussion and analysis of appropriateness of behaviours of nurses
involved in scenario.....................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

Question 1
Considering current NMS Code, policies, ethical principles, relevant legislations and guidelines.
Identification, discussion and analysis of appropriateness of behaviours of nurses involved
in scenario
NMS code presents professional standards which all nurses, nursing associates as well as
midwives are required to uphold for being registered to practice in UK (Linton and Koonmen,
2020). It contains series of statements which are taken collectively signifies good practices of
nurses looks like in a hospital establishment. It puts interests of patients along with service users
first, promotes trust through professionalism, etc. In context to the scenario, Senior nurse
Adesina who started practicing in an Early Intervention Service, it has been analysed that senior
carried out practices by considering NMC Code other legislations including Data Protection Act
2018, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016 and many more. It is because the
Adesina performed responsibilities of carrying out efficient nursing care, communicating with
other nursing staff, exchanging words with patients and maintaining confidentiality in
accordance to patients’ needs. The senior nurse behaved ethically with patient Bob and patient’s
mother for observing health issue faced by Bob as well as symptoms stated by Bob’s mother.
Also, Adesina emphasised on workings of student nurse John and provides guidance about
ways to carry out working ethically and professionally so to provide care and treatment to patient
together with respecting right of confidentiality of patient, except for restricted circumstances. In
which, breach in confidentiality without consent of patient can only arise when it is in interest of
public or preserving safety (Kirk and Wright, 2021). Adesina behaved by following policies of
Early Intervention Service that states that professional as well as ethical nursing practices are
needed at all times by all staff comprising student nurses on placement. Moreover, in aspect to
student nurse John, Adesina behaved politely by making the student nurse understand that
providing care and management to patient promptly is essential. The senior nurse is passionate
about responsibilities, motivational influencer, seek to inspire others and solution focused.
Adesina made decision for providing care to Bob at hospital as He was not coping well by living
at home. This caring behaviour of Adesina provides some satisfaction to Bob as the senior nurse
developed a care plan for emphasising towards healthier coping tactics addition to recovery
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support, supporting rebuilding of relationship with parents along with family with consent
through patient.
Student nurse John is final year student nurse on placement at Early Intervention Service. In
accordance to NMC Code, student nurse is required to prioritise people, preserve safety, promote
professionalism and practice effectively (Power and Coiffait, 2018). However, behaviour of
student nurse was not appropriate as John arrives late for duty at placement area and analyse
patient requirement in hurry. At same time, John do not work as per General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR) 2016 and suggested senior nurse Adesina to speak with mother of patient
without their consent about health issues faced by Bob.
As per the scenario, it has been analysed that behaviour of student nurse John was
unprofessional as arriving late for duty is unethical way of conducting practices at hospital
establishment. It states that student nurse John is required for taking time to read as well as learn
about legal aspects of roles together with responsibilities of nurse along with gain clear
knowledge of confidentiality policy and other legislations. The unethical behaviour or practice of
John can document practice as failure of placement (Lamond, Murray and Gibson, 2018).
However, the student nurse agreed for improving their performance, knowledge and behaviour
that reflects their acceptance of mistake and potential for learning to provide care to patient with
adherence of patient’s consent.
Ethical guidelines assist nurse work by distinct circumstances together with provide them
with moral compass in order to perform job responsibilities fairly (Power and Underwood,
2018). By adhering towards the guidelines, senior and student nurse John can be able to promote
high level of attention and care.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Kirk, M. and Wright, C., 2021. Do registered nurses have the tools to appropriately assess
student nurses in the taking and interpretation of electrocardiograms?. British Journal of
Cardiac Nursing. 16(11). pp.1-6.
Lamond, E., Murray, S. and Gibson, C. E., 2018. Delirium screening in intensive care: A life
saving opportunity. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. 44. pp.105-109.
Linton, M. and Koonmen, J., 2020. Self-care as an ethical obligation for nurses. Nursing
ethics. 27(8). pp.1694-1702.
Power, A. and Coiffait, S., 2018. New academic year, new challenges: Tips for student midwives
to maintain momentum and motivation. British Journal of Midwifery. 26(10). pp.683-
685.
Power, A. and Underwood, J., 2018. CPD and revalidation: Theory, practice and lessons from
teachers. British Journal of Midwifery. 26(6). pp.409-411.
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