A. Legal differences: these two perform differently because they have different jurisdiction. For example, it is the duty of the regulatory authority to set the minimum requirements for nursing qualification. The professional authority on the other hand, ensures that these regulations are followed. Therefore, it is like the law enforcement branch of nursing while the regulatory authority is like the legislature (Parker & Smith, 2010).
Jurisdictional difference: the two have different jurisdiction. For example, all nurses are registered by the professional nursing organization before they are allowed to practice. The regulatory authority has no say in this registration, but it makes the rules that are used to license nurses (Parker & Smith, 2010).
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Membership differences: the professional nursing organization is a nursing body, and all the members are nurses. Its functions incline to serve the best interest on its members. On the other hand, the regulatory authority is primarily comprised of lawmakers, and the body serves political purposes (Parker & Smith, 2010).
Examples of regulatory agency, and a professional nursing organization (PNO)
A good example of our discussion is the Ohio Board of nursing. It is a governing body that was enacted by state law of Ohio. It comprises of thirteen members, eight registered nurses, four practical nurses and an appointed consumer. Practitioners pay a fee in order to practice in the state through this body.. An example of a professional nursing organization in the same state would be the Dialysis technician association. This is an NGO, where members pay a voluntary membership fee. These associations are important as they represent nurses and nursing issues.
B. One of the most influential codes of ethics is the primary concern for patients (Fry & Veatch, 2006). This is listed second in the list of codes of ethics, but it is arguably one of the most influential. In contemporary times, the best nursing methods based on the patient, proposing that patients are indeed the primary concern of nurses. According to the code of ethics, nurses also have a responsibility t themselves, but the patients always come first.
Another important value of nursing is Compassion and respect for the inherent human values, such as uniqueness, worth and dignity (Fry & Veatch, 2006). This is important because nurses take care of people who are not able to take care of themselves for one reason or another. Though they are dependent on nurses, it is always important to remember they are human, and they deserve to be treated in a dignified manner.
These two ethics have had a significant effect on my nursing applications. I am always making mental notes to put patients first at all times. In addition, I have experienced situations where offering help can be interpreted as undignified in some cultures. For this reason, I try to have a cultural background because I have found it relevant to nursing ethics.
C. Commitment to patients is one of the ethical considerations for nurses. As a trait, it is a powerful motivator because it ensures that the nurse is always concerned about the welfare of the patients (Fry & Veatch, 2006).
Responsibility is another ethical requirement for nursing. Responsible nurses choose the best practices for their patients. In addition, they have accountability over the actions that they chose in their practice (Fry & Veatch, 2006).
Initiative is also another personality trait that resonates with nursing ethics (Fry & Veatch, 2006). A nurse with a sense of initiative will follow his or her instincts in all situations. In addition, such a nurse will ensure that the environment is conducive for practice at all times.
Professionalism is a very important trait. In the nursing profession, it is always important to maintain a respectable distance between the nurses and the patients (Fry & Veatch, 2006). In addition, the trait of professionalism ensures a satisfactory level of performance regardless of personal differences or bias on the part of the nurse. For example, a nurse with the professionalism trait will overlook rudeness in patients in service delivery.
Training has armed me with all these traits because they are core to nursing ethics. In addition, they are important in career advancement.
D. Florence Nightingale’s environmental theory is a very important nursing theory. It is among the first theories in nursing. In addition, the contributions of Florence Nightingale inspired modern nursing (Parker & Smith, 2010).
The theory proposes that the environment plays an important role in the recovery process. Therefore, nurses must ensure that the environment is in the best shape to facilitate recovery. The theory identified four aspects of the environment that are influential in the recovery process; Fresh air, Clean water, Good drainage, General body cleanliness and Light, especially direct sunlight (Parker & Smith, 2010). Today, these seem basic; people are so accustomed to them that they barely take notice. However, they are important because they are the fundamental blocks of nursing. All the other theories that came afterwards were merely improvements.
Relation to Personal Nursing
Florence Nightingale’s environmental theory, is very important in persona nursing as it dictates and directs the best way a nurse can manipulate a patient’s environment in order to improve a patient’s recovery. With the thirteen canons of the theory, personal nursing under nightingale’s theory, espouse that personal nursing is responsible in promoting the health through educating both unwell and well individuals
E. Virginia Henderson’s need theory
The unique responsibility of the nurse is to help a patient perform activities that contribute to health and recovery. Whether the patient is sick or well does not matter. The important thing is the patient lacks the will, knowledge or strength to do these things by themselves (Parker & Smith, 2010). It is the duty of the nurses to help these people gain independence in these tasks as soon as possible. The activities include elimination of wastes and keeping the body clean and well groomed. This theory has led to the development of many theories. Its main focus is on basic human needs has led to increased interest in that area and thus extensive research into methods of increasing the ability of nurses to take care of basic human needs (Parker & Smith, 2010). Its effects include the inclusion of preservation of dignity in the nursing code of ethics.
The impact of Virginia Henderson’s statement is its utilization by Professors and clinical instructors in their construction of pedagogic approaches. While nurse academicians use models as frameworks for specific research studies.
- Fry, S. T., & Veatch, R. M. (2006). Case studies in nursing ethics (3rd ed.). Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
- Parker, M. E., & Smith, M. C. (2010).Nursing Theories & Nursing Practice. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co.
