University Assignment: NURBN 1001 - Professional Practice in Nursing

This report delves into the critical aspects of professional nursing practice, emphasizing the significance of ethical conduct, patient rights, and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's (NMBA) code of conduct. It defines professional practice as adhering to standards, ethics, and competencies to ensure quality care. The report examines the importance of privacy and confidentiality, as regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), highlighting the nurse's role in safeguarding patient information. Furthermore, it explores patient rights as outlined in the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights, underscoring their role in promoting equal treatment and preventing medical errors. A case study is evaluated to demonstrate unethical professional practice, emphasizing the nurse's failure to respect the patient, address complaints, and adhere to the NMBA's standards. The report underscores the importance of upholding ethical principles and professional guidelines in nursing practice.

Scope of practice in nursing
Professional practice in nursing
Professional practice is the conduct the person has to possess in a specific working
environment. The person needs to practice the profession abiding by the standards, code of
ethics, action, skill, and competency to implement the professional practice. Professional
practice in nursing is considered as an implementation of clinical knowledge, ethical
principles, and standards, code of conduct, collaboration, moral integrity and accountability
in the nursing practice to ensure quality nursing care (Nursing and Midwifery Board of
Australia, 2018).
Privacy and confidentiality
Privacy and confidentiality are essential factors in health care. Department of Health in
Australia has established the governing body to regulate registered nursing health
professionals regarding privacy and confidentiality. The Australian Health Practitioner
Regulation Agency (Ahpra) is the recognized governing body that is responsible for
executing the national scheme across the country (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency (AHPRA), 2014).
Privacy and confidentiality are fundamental needs of the patient. Code of ethics and the
standards of Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia also confirm the same. The nurse is
the only health care professional who works closely with the patient and family. The patient
discloses personal information and family history to the nurses with the trust that the pieces
of information are kept confidential. Confidential and privacy is the basic right of the patient.
The nurse is expected to implement confidentiality and privacy as part of professional
practice.
Patient rights

The Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights illustrates the basic right of the patient and the
citizens who get benefited from the health care system of the country. This charter ensures
that the patients, patient families, and relatives, health care professionals understand the
fundamental rights of the people. The patient and health care professionals are benefited by
patient rights. The rights of the patient ensure medical treatment with moral support for an
individual receiving health care (Atkins, De Lacey, Ripperger, & Ripperger, 2020). The
structured patient rights assure equal medical treatment for all regardless of age, colour,
creed, religion, and nationality. Patient rights provide the formulated policies for the nurses,
which prevents medical errors and aids in providing quality nursing care. The significance of
patient rights in professional practice is quality health care for all, privacy and confidentiality
and safety.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Code of Conduct
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulates the code of conduct and standards of the
nursing practice. The code of conduct regularizes the legal aspects and professional practice
which is essential for the implementation of quality nursing care (Nursing and Midwifery
Board of Australia, 2018). The nurse can ensure that they abide by the code of conduct by
respecting the patients, providing unique nursing care for each patient, ensure patient safety,
and work as a team for the well being of the patient.
Evaluation of a case study
The professional practice in the video was unethical. The nurse ignored the complaints of the
patient and she failed to inform the same to the physician (Nursing and Midwifery Board of
Australia, 2018). The nurse failed to respect the patient, neglected the patient care, uncared
about the pain and suffering of the patient. The professional practice of the nurse is against
the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and the code of conduct
(Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2019).

References
Atkins, K., De Lacey, S., Ripperger, B., & Ripperger, R. (2020). Ethics and law for
Australian nurses. Cambridge University Press https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=zG_CDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=Atkins,+K.,+De+Lacey,
+S.,+Ripperger,+R.,+%26+Britton,+B.+(2017).+Ethics+
%26+law+for+Australian+nurses+(3rd+ed.).+Cambridge,+UK:
+Cambridge+University+Press.&ots=KWrse_BUsu&sig=p7rssZ_MpISu5SDqb-
LyVD8181E&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. (2019). The Australian charter
of health care rights (second edition). Retrieved November 7th, 2019 from
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/national-priorities/charter-ofhealthcarerights/
review-of-the-charter-of-healthcare-rights-second-edition
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). (2014). National Board policy
for Registered health practitioner Social Media Policy. Retrieved November 7th ,
2019, from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-
GuidelinesStatements/Policies/Social-media-policy.aspx
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2018). Code of conduct for nurses. Retrieved
October 29, 2019 from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/CodesGuidelines-
Statements/Professional-standards.aspx