Standards of Nursing Practice, Coursework Example

Introduction

Nursing practice standards require an effective understanding of the key elements that drive nurses to provide excellent care and treatment to their patients in a positive manner. Nursing practice methods must incorporate specific guidelines that demonstrate the importance of different approaches to improving patient outcomes. It is essential to develop frameworks regarding different areas of public health, for example, because they demonstrate specific guidelines and frameworks that support communities in need of preventative services that influence their general health and wellbeing. Within this framework, there are essential components that must considered that have a significant impact on patient outcomes and the delivery of care to patients requiring public health services. Furthermore, evidence-based practice solutions must be considered in order to expand public health practice methods for patients seeking preventative services. One area to consider in public health is culturally competent care, which is an essential component of community health nursing in the modern era. It is essential to provide appropriate care to patients that includes the removal of language barriers and an understanding of existing customs or traditions that may impact preventative care in different ways.

Analysis

A key component of practice for community health nursing is the ability to embrace diverse cultures and to utilize evidence-based practice approaches in a manner that involves nursing leadership to develop new goals and objectives in an effective manner (Alleyne, 2007). There are considerable advantages in applying evidence-based nursing leadership solutions to facilitate outcomes in public health and community-based settings (Alleyne, 2007). Furthermore, these efforts will engage nurses in practice methods that are culturally appropriate in meeting the needs of the populations that are serviced (Alleyne, 2007). Nursing leadership in the community health setting supports the ongoing training and education of nurses in culturally competent care so that their patients are served in an effective manner. From a leadership perspective, it is necessary to adapt to cultural differences so that patients are not excluded from preventative services on the basis of language or other cultural barriers (Sherman et.al, 2007). Nurses must acquire education with their peers so that in communities where there is significant cultural diversity, they are able to provide the same quality and standards of care that support positive care and treatment outcomes (Sherman et.al, 2007). Nurse managers must offer their guidance and expertise in order to ensure that patient care adheres to established standards (Sherman et.al, 2007). In addition, it is necessary for nurse managers to recognize existing weaknesses and to demonstrate their willingness to fill in these gaps as needed to produce viable results within communities (Sherman et.al, 2007). The effectiveness of nurse managers must be addressed in the context of staff nurses and their ability to be driven by cultural diversity and quality of care under different circumstances (Sherman et.al, 2007).

Clinical nurse leaders within community nursing settings are essential contributors to the success of preventative care and treatment programs (Harris et.al, 2006). Nurse managers in this capacity should identify areas where communication is limited or lacking altogether, and also demonstrate their ability to exercise sound and reasonable judgment when working with patients from different cultures (Harris et.al, 2006). These contributions are critical in supporting the ability to perform outreach within communities and to support ongoing initiatives to influence health outcomes in a favorable manner (Harris et.al, 2006). The communities that are served must be provided with adequate and reasonable services to support effective outcomes and methods to positively impact patients and their ability to access preventative services without delays (Harris et.al, 2006).

Nursing practice statutes and regulations vary from state to state; therefore, it is important to identify these statutes and to develop practice methods and strategies that support these rules (The Student Nurse Forum). In particular, Nurse Practice Acts are applied to a wide variety of settings, including acute and critical care, community nursing, and pediatrics, amongst others (The Student Nurse Forum). All areas of nursing practice are governed by specific statutes and mandates; therefore, it is essential for nurses to be involved in developing methods that fall within the standards so that patient care is not compromised (The Student Nurse Forum). With these regulations in place, nurse governance is organized and prepared to manage the issues that arise in nursing practice (The Student Nurse Forum), including matters related to culturally competent care and treatment in community-based nursing.

Conclusion

Nursing practice methods in community health settings require effective and reasonable approaches to manage language barriers and culturally competent care in the desired manner. For community health nurses, effective leadership and guidance are critical to practice success in these environments, along with effective nursing leadership to engage nurses in expanded education and practice methods in the area of preventative care and treatment. Nurses must collaborate and work proactively to adhere to specific practice standards as mandated by states and provide their patients with a level of support and sensitivity to meet their needs, including the removal of language barriers and the creation of new strategies to protect patients and provide them with much-needed preventative services within their communities.

References

Alleyne, J. (2007). Building the capacity for evidence-based clinical nursing leadership: the role of executive co-coaching and group clinical supervision for quality patient services. Journal of Nursing Management, 15(2), 230-243.

Harris, J.L., Tornabeni, J., and Walters, S.E. (2006). The clinical nurse leader: a valued member of the healthcare team. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(10), 446-449.

Sherman, R.O., Bishop, M., Eggenberger, T., and Karden, R. (2007). Development of a leadership competency model. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 37(2), 85-94.

The Student Nurse Forum. Professional Practice: Nurse Practice Acts.