Question

Competence Linking the exemplar of competence with the concept of legal issues: Question 1 What is the nurse’s legal obligation to society and the profession to maintain competence? If you can, please relate to situations you have witnessed/experienced in your clinical/work experiences. Question 2 How can nurses who lack competence in one area of nursing strengthen their knowledge and skills? If you can, please relate to situations you have witnessed/experienced in your clinical/work experiences. Linking the exemplar of competence with the concept of ethics: Question 3 What is the nurse’s ethical obligation related to competence? If you can, please relate to situations you have witnessed/experienced in your clinical/work experiences. Question 4 How does the nursing code of ethics address the issue of competence? If you can, please relate to situations you have witnessed/experienced in your clinical/work experiences.

Answer 1

Question 1. What is the nurse’s legal obligation to society and the profession to maintain competence?

The nurses are responsible to maintain the health and safety of the public. It is the responsibility of the nurse to maintain the scope and standard of practice in clinical settings. The registered nurse should meet all the core competencies in her work. she has the legal responsibilities of identifying the clients or staff legal issues. She has to report the clinical condition such as communicable disease, violence as stated by the law. She has to report the malpractices of healthcare personnel.

In my practice, I learned the protection of client valuables and discourage them to hold it in the hospital. The nurse is responsible to keep the valuable things under locker by mentioning the name, room number, and list of items. The items should be described as yellow metal, white metal rather than gold or silver to protect herself. Because one should not guess it whether it is real gold or inexpensive jewelry.

Question 2. How can nurses who lack competence in one area of nursing strengthen their knowledge and skills?

Professional competence is essential for all nurses. Nurses have to face a number of challenges in their work area. Developing her knowledge and strengthening her practice will improve her competence. Continuous learning is ultimate for professional competence. Improve the skills and attitudes to enhance the competence. always open-minded and improve the communication strategies.

In my clinical practice, where I have to deal with clients with different religions and races. Initially, it is very difficult to communicate and mingle with the patient. Then I accessed to the research on various religions and their cultural practices to expand my knowledge and improve my cultural competence which is essential in my professional work.

Question 3 What is the nurse’s ethical obligation related to competence?

Nursing standards are protected by laws and rules. Competence has to measured accurately based on the performance and numerous measures. Nurses must be critically and ethically analyzed for providing a minimal standard of care. The nurses should be ethical in the allocation of resources, technology, and delivery of care. The nurse act should be legal, ethical, and competent. The nurse is accountable for clinical judgment and maintains competence.

For example, before using any new technology into practice the nurse should analyze the potential harms due to the technology. The nurse should have enough knowledge of new technology to meet the competence.

Question 4 How does the nursing code of ethics address the issue of competence?

Nurses should address the legal issues and obligations. Nurses have to work based on the four ethical principles of autonomy, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence. Nurses have to face ethical dilemmas on a day to day life. During ethical dilemmas, the nurses should focus on quality care and patient safety. The informed consent, advocacy, and clinical judgment are some of the things that protect the nurse from ethical dilemmas.

In my clinical practice, one postoperative patient has not subsided from pain after giving enough dose of pain medication. He asked for heavy doses. He was irritated and shouted. By assessing him, I judged he is mentally upset and the mindset of that particular pain medication doesn't work. Giving saline injection make him comfortable and relieved pain.