University Nursing Practice Report: NURBN 1001, Semester 1, 2020

This report analyzes the importance of professional nursing practice within the context of a case study involving a patient with acute appendicitis and the conduct of healthcare professionals. It explores key concepts such as professional practice, privacy, and confidentiality within the healthcare field, referencing the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights and the Code of Conduct for Nurses and Midwives in Australia. The report also examines patient rights and the ethical responsibilities of nurses, emphasizing the need for evidence-based, person-centered, and safe practice. The analysis draws upon relevant legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Health Records Act 2001, along with guidelines from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The report highlights the significance of ethical behavior and its impact on patient care and professional image, specifically addressing the legal and ethical aspects of nursing practice in Australia.

Running Head: PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE
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Legal and Ethical decision-making in person-centred care
Student Name:
Student University:

PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE 1
Short video on YouTube case study about professional nursing practice importance
Ashleigh being a patient was in the medical condition of Acute Appendicitis as
diagnosed by Dr. Jacob’s. After knowing and analysing the condition, he organised a
surgical consult, arranged tests, and reassured Ashleigh and her brother. Nurse Nickie was
busy in using her phone and behaved unprofessionally in front of the doctor by telling him
that Ashleigh was overreacting. She avoided her problem and was not serious about her
concern which is against professionalism.
This shows the lack of professional behaviour and attitude which impact on the
patient’s care and showed the wrong professional image of nurse. Thus, this action shows the
example of unprofessional behaviour based on this case study of nursing practice related
majorly to the Australia’s student nurse.
Professional Practice
Professional practice is a conduct and working for someone under a particular
profession which shows the occupation of an individual that requires prolonged training and
education period. In nursing, the professional practice is a commitment to strong and caring
ethical values, compassion, continuous self-development and others (AHPRA, 2014). Also,
there is a responsibility and accountability for insightful practice along with flexibility and
collaboration spirit demonstration.
Privacy and Confidentiality within the Health field
In nursing, it is a fulfilling and rewarding career path to pursue where an individual
has to be able for making quick decisions related to effective communication and patient care
with other individuals working together (PA, 2020). There are various nursing practice acts
(NPA) providing nursing professionals the necessary guidance along with powering
administrative rules and regulations development while making laws more specific. These
laws are governed related to privacy and confidentiality where the information based on
health cannot be discussed without their consent and required to protect it (Atkins, de Lacey,
Ripperger, & Britton, 2017).
Based on the statement of ANA (American Nurses Association), they believes in
protecting confidentiality and privacy essential for maintaining trust relationship between

PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE 2
patients and health care providers. It is integral to professional practice in nursing as well
where ANA supports the policies, legislation and standards protecting individuals while
identifying health information (HRA, 2020).
Patient rights
The purpose of the “Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights” is to describe the
patients and other people rights while using the health system of Australia. It is essential for
ensuring to provide care anytime, anywhere with safety and high quality. In the Australia,
these rights are applied to all health settings or clinical settings consisting general practice,
private and public hospitals, and other community environments (ACSQ, 2019). These rights
are significant for providing high-quality and safe ethical care which also affects the patient
care and decision-making. It is also helpful in improving the understanding and awareness of
nurses to know the importance of professional values.
Code of Conduct in Australia of Nursing and Midwifery Board
The purpose of “Nursing and Midwifery Scope of Practice” is to practice within the
scope and having range of opportunities advancing and extending the practice scope. It works
to make sure about a systematic and constant approach for making decision, implementation,
planning, and evaluation (NMBA, 2018). In Australia, this code of conduct for nurses is to
set out professional behaviour, legal requirements and conduct expectations from nurses
considering all the practice settings. It is written in recognition for describing that nursing
practice is not restricted within the direct clinical care provision. This code is important for
nurses and midwives clinical practice to incorporate the containing terms which have
meaning into their practice (PAA, 2012). Within this code of conduct for nurses, it makes
them provide evidence-based, person-centred, and safe practice considering patient’s
wellbeing and health along with promoting decision-making between the family, nominated
partners, person, health professionals and friends, and shared care delivery to all of them as
well.

PROFESSIONAL NURSING PRACTICE 3
References
Atkins, K., De Lacey, S., Ripperger, R., & Britton, B. (2017). Ethics & law for Australian
nurses (6th ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
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-of-healthcarerights/
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
Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). Retrieved from
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/
LTObjSt2.nsf/
DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/12626CDEB1AB334FCA25776100206
07F/$FILE/01-2a001.pdf
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
The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Retrieved from
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00241
Privacy Amendment (enhancing privacy protection) Act 2012. Retrieved from
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2012A00197