Nursing foundations

• Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN)


  A nurse who has earned educational degrees and nursing specialties and certifications beyond the MSN level
• Advocacy


  • Speaking up for clients' needs when the clients are unable to speak for themselves, and supporting clients to make choices for their own health
  • Defending the rights, interests, and safety of someone who is vulnerable
  • The act of defending the interests, rights, and safety of those who cannot do it for themselves
• Change agent


  A nurse who brings innovation for improvement through knowledge, critical thinking, objectivity, and practice
• Change management


  The goal of nurse managers who help to bring about change with a goal to constantly improve the staff workflow and the client outcomes
• Code of Ethics for Nurses


  Developed by the ANA, this document outlines rules for nurses about client privacy, nursing conduct, and nursing behaviors to protect clients and the profession
• Collaboration


  Working together with the interprofessional team to address the various aspects of the client s health. The interprofessional team consists of professionals from multiple disciplines (e.g., physical, occupational and speech therapy, health providers, dietitians, respiratory therapists) who coordinate care, make plans, and set goals for the best client outcome
• Evidence-based practice


  The process of using evidence from credible scientific research to guide nursing interventions and clinical judgment
• Nursing professionals


  • In high demand
  • Have many options for career and educational flexibility
• Nurses are trusted and known for meeting the changing health needs of the public with science-based knowledge and compassionate care
• Pioneers who influenced the nursing profession

  • Florence Nightingale
  • Clara Barton
  • Dorothea Dix
  • Ildaura Murillo-Rohde
  • Eddie Bernice Johnson
• These individuals, and other nurses and volunteers, gave their time and often devoted their lives to creating change for good and establishing the early foundations for nursing
• Nurses must give competent and safe care to any client in need
• Roles of nurses


  • Care provider
  • Case manager
  • Researcher
  • Educator
  • Leader
  • Manager
  • Change manager
  • Change agent
• Health literacy


  Clients' knowledge of their health and their ability to take action to maintain and improve their health
• Nurses are responsible for educating clients to improve their knowledge about their own health, and to improve their health literacy
• Organizations that impact and support the nursing profession


  • National League of Nursing (NLN)
  • American Academy of Medicine
  • National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)
  • American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Nursing competencies


  • Advocacy
  • Change management
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
• The U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion developed the Healthy People campaign, creating science-based initiatives with 10-year national objectives aimed at improving the health of all Americans
• Health promotion has long been a focus for empowerment of clients in terms of education, resources, and availability of health care
• Trends and issues in nursing that represent challenges and opportunities for change


  • Use of smartphones and social media in the clinical setting
  • Issues in the work setting such as stress and substance use
  • The nursing shortage
  • The opioid epidemic
  • Health literacy
• LPN

  Licensed practical nurse degree can be obtained in one year
• RN

  Registered nurse degree can be achieved in two to four years
• Educational programs for RN

  • Diploma nurse: Hospital-based, non-degree
  • ADN: Associate degree in nursing
  • BSN: Bachelor's degree in nursing
• Graduate nursing educational programs

  Nurses have either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctorate level of education, along with advanced abilities, experience, knowledge, and critical-thinking skills that enable them to practice without additional regulations
• Certifications


  • Skill-based
  • Educational-based national certification recognitions
  • Available to show knowledge and expertise in specialty and advanced practice areas, such as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)
• MSN

  Master of science in nursing
• Continuing education: Lifelong learning helps to improve or maintain competency and ensure the best client outcomes
• Nursing roles


  Diverse roles nurses play in healthcare settings
• Importance of nursing roles


  • In patient care
  • In team dynamics
  • In professional development
• Case Manager


  • Facilitating seamless transitions from hospital to home or other care settings
  • Planning and coordinating post-discharge services
• Nurse Researcher


  • Conducting and publishing research to advance nursing knowledge
  • Employment opportunities in pharmaceutical companies, clinics, universities
• Leader and Manager


  • Guiding and supporting other nurses and healthcare professionals
  • Promoting teamwork and collaboration
• Advocate


  • Ensuring patients receive appropriate care and respect
  • Representing patients' interests within the healthcare system