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ANA Nursing Scopes and Standards

Lindsey Zolynsky
Ferris State University

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Abstract

Nursing scopes and standards are in place to ensure the cohesiveness of practice and the safety of
patients, visitors, and staff. There are many standards outlined within the scope of nursing care
and its important as a licensed professional to abide by these expectations by staying current in
knowledge and striving to do our best work. Excelling in each scope and standard will continue
to be a work in progress, but an important one at that.

Running head: NURSING STANDARDS

ANA Nursing Scopes and Standards

Throughout the entirety of this review and exploration of nursing standards seven through
sixteen, I will be evaluating my own experiences and progress of abiding by these standards as I
move into the professional role of a registered nurse (RN). Although I exceed in some areas,
many areas require more work, determination, and education on my part to perform my role as a
nurse to the best of my ability. The experiences I will be referring to are based on my twelve
years as a Nurse Technician in the Emergency Department, and my clinical experience during
enrollment in the Nursing program at Ferris State University.
Ethics
Yoder-Wise (2015) defines ethics as a science relating to moral actions and moral values
further defined as rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions.
Nursing ethics are based around moral actions and values put in place regarding confidentiality,
therapeutic relationships, care, and problem solving for the patient and fellow colleagues. It is
our duty as nurses to speak up if we see wrongdoing, and to report unethical situations to our
upline.
Strengths
In caring for patients I explain all care to patients and visitors. I feel if patients and family
members understand the expectations and goals of their visit in the hospital, then everyone
involved is going to have a better experience and the patient will have a better outcome in the
long run. The American Nursing Association (ANA, 2015) states that we as nurses should deliver
care in a manner that preserves and protects health care consumer authority, dignity, rights,
values, and beliefs. I feel my bedside manner is strong and for the most part, I treat patients fairly

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regardless of their race, religion, and etcetera. I understand the importance of confidentiality and
work very diligently to protect each patients privacy by discarding of private information
appropriately and not speaking about patients in public areas.
Weaknesses
Although I try to maintain a therapeutic relationship with the patient, I feel I have room to
improve. Before entering the Nursing program, I would try to relate with patients about their
personal experiences and mine because I felt this might offer them comfort. Ive quickly learned
that my approach was more sympathetic rather than empathetic, and I need to be working with
empathy as to not cross the line between therapeutic relationship and personal relationship.
Empathy, the ability to place myself in ones shoes, keeps the focus on the patient rather than
bringing my own experiences into the equation. I like to help resolve issues, but become
uncomfortable when an issue regards an ethical matter because I am not well versed in the
ethical expectations of my career and feel I have much to learn. Although I know I should speak
up if I notice something that doesnt seem right, I feel intimidating and fearful of doing so
because I am new to nursing and am afraid of being wrong or saying the wrong thing.
Goals
I will continue to practice nursing with empathy rather than sympathy while becoming
more familiar with nurse practice acts, scopes and standards, and code of ethics so I can practice
in an ethical manner and help others do the same. I will work to hold myself, and others,
accountable for wrongdoing and offer corrections, based on my knowledge of the most current
evidence-based practice, in the moment without being fearful of the outcomes. I would be
interested in joining an ethics committee in the future to help me stay up to date on expectations

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and to advocate for best care of our patients. Ultimately my goal is to become more
knowledgeable and comfortable discussing ethical concerns so that I can assist others to gain
confidence, reduce fear, and support our patients beliefs, values, and autonomy.
Education, Evidence Based Practice, and Professional Practice Evaluation
I feel these three areas work hand and hand to help us establish continued growth in the
nursing field and provide best care for our patients. Nurses are expected to use current health
care research findings and other evidence to expand clinical knowledge, skills, abilities, and
judgment, to enhance role performance and to increase knowledge of professional issues (ANA,
2015, p.50).
Strengths
My role as a student ensures that I am learning the latest evidence based practice, and I do
my best to share what I have learned with others. I enjoy learning from others and look forward
to the orientation process of becoming an RN. Annually I am evaluated in my role as a Nurse
Technician (NT), and feel I receive my evaluation with an open mind and intent to correct areas
of weakness. My continued growth is important to me and I feel I always have room for
improvement. Throughout my work as a NT in the Emergency Department (ED), I have stayed
up to date on my certifications, and I will continue to do so as a Nurse. The health field is ever
changing, and it is my responsibility to stay up to date with the most current way of doing things.
I do my best to help educate patients in the moment so that they can be their own best advocates.
As a student on the orthopedic trauma floor, I pay special attention to the patients use and
education of the incentive spirometers as to prevent them from acquiring pneumonia along with
everything else they have going on.

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Weaknesses
My knowledge base, although wide, is so novice at this point. I do not see this as a fault,
but something I need to be aware of and not ashamed of. When I see people doing something
wrong, I have trouble correcting them in the moment because I dont want to embarrass them. I
am aware that this is vital to the patients safety and strive to do a better job at placing the
patients needs first.
Goals
During a pullout in the Emergency Department, the nurse I was shadowing stated that she
would put her trust in a new nurse who knew what she didnt know over an experienced nurse
who thought she knew everything every time (K. Tinholt, personal communication, June 30th,
2015). This statement really spoke to me, because although I am scared of not knowing
everything, feeling intimidating, and screwing up, this is exactly where I am supposed to be, and
the better I can embrace what I dont know the more efficient, safe, and thorough I will be. It
takes the pressure off to have acceptance that I dont know everything and am embarking on a
journey of lifelong learning.
Communication, Leadership, and Collaboration
Collaboration and communication are so important in leadership roles. In order to be a
good leader one must make it their priority to communicate well with others and to collaborate
with the team. As a nurse it is our duty to communicate effectively to keep our patients safe and
provide quality care.
Strengths

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I continually treat my colleagues with respect, trust, and dignity. I try to stay patient and
treat others the way I would like to be treated. I was able to shadow the charge nurse and act as a
charge nurse to my peers during my clinical on 4 North, and I really enjoyed the experience. It
was so interesting to attend the hospital wide meetings and see the inner workings of the
inpatient world. My peers complimented me on a job well done, and I felt in that moment that I
might have strength in that type of role.
Weaknesses
As mentioned before, I struggle in situations where I must communicate about conflict
resolution. There are many times in the hospital setting that I get overwhelmed and intimidated,
and rather than communicating effectively during these times I become awkward and closed off.
I am unable to model expertise at this time because I am still learning, but I look forward to
being a mentor in the future.
Goals
I will seek continuous improvement of my communication and conflict resolution skills
(ANA, 2015, p. 54). My clinical instructor stated that she thought I had great potential to be a
charge nurse in the future, and I look forward to the possibility of doing so. I plan to take part in
professional organizations and discussions to improve outcomes for consumers seeking medical
care.
Quality of Practice, Resource Utilization, and Environmental Health
Quality improvement events are vital to organizations to ensure that resources are being
utilized effectively and that the environmental health of the establishment is up to code. In
partaking in such events, the RN opens himself or herself up to awareness and a strong

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knowledge base about topics that are of utmost importance to the safety and quality care of our
patients.
Strengths
I took part in a quality improvement event about the admission process as a NT in the ED.
Our goal was to decrease the amount of time it took for patients to be admitted into the hospital
from the emergency department. With the help of process improvement professionals, we were
able to use our creativity and innovation to enhance nursing care (ANA, 2015, p.52).
By cleaning up after myself and checking rooms for faulty equipment, I promote an environment
that reduces health risks.
Weaknesses
Having worked as a NT for so many years, I feel it will be a challenge for me to delegate
tasks to a NT. It will be an interesting role change and Im curious to see how my colleagues will
respond to the change. In the beginning, I have a feeling Ill try to perform all the tasks on my
own and quickly find out that I cant do it all. My hope is that delegation will become an easier
task to perform. I dont feel I am comfortable with formulating solutions for healthcare problems
because my knowledge base is not strong enough yet and my focus is on learning.
Goals
I look forward to participating in rapid improvement events in the future so that I can have
a voice regarding change, and also be an advocate for best care for the patient. I will also work
diligently at becoming more comfortable at delegating tasks so that I have time to perform my
tasks competently. I hope to become more involved in community events to promote healthy

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living and environmental awareness. During my public health clinical I was very inspired by the
work they did in the community, and I aspire to do the same.
Conclusion
The Nursing scopes and standards cover a wide variety of responsibilities placed on the
RN, and we must work hard to stay up to date with change to abide by these standards as we
have promised. Although practicing at a competent level, in compliance with all standards of
work, will be a constant work in progress, it is our priority to do our best.

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References

American Nurses Association. (2010). Nursing: Scopes and standards of practice (2nd ed.).
Silver Spring: Nursesbooks.org.
Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2015). Leading and managing in nursing (6th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.