Nursing Adaptability and Patient Care, Research Paper Example

In the practice environment, nurses must be prepared to effectively adapt to a variety of circumstances that will support and aim to accommodate patient care needs more effectively. Most importantly, nurses must demonstrate a high level of acuity and the willingness to adapt to specific conditions in a manner that is consistent with changes in patients’ health status. Prior evidence indicates that nurses must be able to effectively adapt to change in a timely manner in order to minimize further complications for patients; therefore, models of care must be flexible and adaptable to support these changes (Ramson, Dudjak, August-Brady, Stoltzfus, & Thomas, 2013). Nurses must not only monitor patient vital signs on a regular basis, but also be able to adapt to a change in health status that will not compromise the patient’s current condition in any way (Ramson et.al, 2013). Furthermore, nurses must be properly trained to identify changes in a patient’s health status and be able to adapt and change the course of care and treatment as necessary (Ramson et.al, 2013).

Nurses are trained to multitask in a variety of high pressure situations; therefore, this process requires a unique understanding of the specific challenges associated with supporting patients as their health statuses change, while also making a commitment to minimizing safety risks through continuous assessment (O’Keeffe, Tuckey, & Naweed, 2015). Nurses must learn from prior experience to adapt to different environmental conditions and changes in health status so that their patients receive the best possible care and treatment under the constraints that are given (O’Keeffe et.al, 2015). Nurses must be able to adapt to the current situation and to also influence care and treatment as necessary to ensure that patients receive the appropriate adjustments in medication and testing on a required basis. These behaviors accompany a level of competency that will engage nurses in the desired plans of care for their patients and in supporting their needs as they change without further compromising their health status.

References

O’Keeffe, V. J., Tuckey, M. R., & Naweed, A. (2015). Whose safety? Flexible risk assessment boundaries balance nurse safety with patient care. Safety Science, 76, 111-120.

Ramson, K. P., Dudjak, L., August-Brady, M., Stoltzfus, J., & Thomas, P. (2013). Implementing an acuity-adaptable care model in a rural hospital setting.Journal of Nursing Administration, 43(9), 455-460.