Achieving Excellence: Personal Development as a Nurse in Practice

This essay reflects on the author's journey and aspirations in nursing, emphasizing the significance of personal development and adherence to Registered Nurse (RN) standards. The author discusses their initial fascination with the nursing profession, highlighting the rewarding interactions with patients and the impact of nurses on their lives. The essay outlines the author's commitment to becoming a registered nurse and integrating the NMBA's RN standards into their practice, focusing on reflective practice, therapeutic relationships, and safe, quality care. The author aims to use these standards to enhance their professional growth and ensure optimal patient outcomes, demonstrating a strong dedication to excellence in nursing.

Running head: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A NURSE 1
Personal Development as a Nurse
Students Name
Institution Affiliation

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A NURSE 2
Personal Development as a Nurse
I kept wondering how a day of a nurse was like long before I decided to pursue the
course. I wondered what a 12-hour shift entailed and the things a nurse did on a daily basis.
Putting my first thermometer in the mouth of a patient was an eye-opener because it made me
realize that pursuing a career in nursing was the right decision for me. The little experience made
me realize how enjoyable it is to interact with patients in all kinds of situations as you work
towards helping them. As I walked along the corridors of the hospital during visitations, I would
observe how nurses and physicians would put in all their best to save the life of a patient. The
adrenaline and fragility of the whole situation awed me especially when they came out
successful. I also watched as they delivered good news to their patients and families. I saw the
hope such news brought to them and how it lit up their faces. I also admired the kind of bonding
that developed between patients and those in charge of their health and that is I decided that that
was an experience I wanted to be a part of.
I believe I got the qualities that can sustain me in my nursing career. For example, my
level of confidence is high enough to enable me to speak up for my patient. Am flexible enough
to adapt to a constantly changing schedule. I am patient, motivated, responsible, and intuitive
therefore I can comfortably operate around patients. I am purposing to complete my course and
become a registered nurse (RN) to expand my working circle and occupation.
Becoming an RN is my vision, a profession regulated by standards stipulated in the
Registered nurse standards for practice to provide direction to nurses in all settings. The
standards communicate on the professional stature and aid in elaborating on the practice and
behavior for the purpose of regulation (Andrew Gashin, Marie Heartfield, Julianne Bryce, Lisa

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A NURSE 3
Devey, Thomas Buckley, Darlene Cox, Eleanor Kerdo, John Kelly, Deb Thomas, Murray Fisher,
2016).
The standards are listed from 1 to 7 in the NMBA regulations (Mather, 2016) such that an
RN is expected to think and analyze the nursing practice, engage in therapeutic and professional
relationships, uphold the practice capability, assess comprehensively, develop a plan, offer safe,
suitable and responsive quality practice and evaluate the outcomes before informing the nursing
practice.
Personally, I will use the standards to help me build on my reflective approach and
complete my activities in continuing professional development (CPD) that will be of great help
in identifying and addressing my areas of learning as directed by the Nursing and Midwifery
Board of Australia (NMBA, 2016).
I will work towards growing my therapeutic and professional relationships in accordance
with standard 2 of the RNs standards (NMBA, 2017). I will ensure effective communication,
delegate, supervise and coordinate with colleagues, draw boundaries of personal and professional
life and prioritize the needs of my patients. Standard 6 will also be my basis of growth in terms
of providing safe, appropriate and responsive quality practice in nursing. I will achieve this by
ensuring that I practice within my scope, delegate, direct and supervise duties by enrolled nurses,
and follow the stipulated guidelines as per the RNs standards.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AS A NURSE 4
References
Andrew Gashin, Marie Heartfield, Julianne Bryce, Lisa Devey, Thomas Buckley, Darlene Cox,
Eleanor Kerdo, John Kelly, Deb Thomas, Murray Fisher. (2016). Standards for Practice
for Registered nurses in Australia . Collegian journal, 255-266.
Mather, C. (2016, June 14). The NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. Retrieved from
University of Tasmania: https://blogs.utas.edu.au/snm-pep/2016/06/14/the-nmba-
registered-nurse-standards-for-practice/
NMBA. (2016, June 1). Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. Retrieved from Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Australia: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au
NMBA. (2017, February 1). Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. Retrieved from Nursing
and Midwifery Board of Australia: https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/codes-
guidelines-statements/professional-standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx