In the nursing profession, more now than ever, the ability to think critically is essential. The responsibilities of a Registered Nurse have increased over the years. In correlation with this increase in responsibility comes the additional increase in educational prerequisites and core requisites required to achieve a degree in Nursing. The ANA (American Nursing Association) Standards has set forth the framework necessary for critical thinking in the application of the "nursing process". The nursing process is the tool by which all nurses can equally become proficient at critical thinking. The nursing process contains the following criteria:
1. Assessment
2. Diagnosis
3. Planning
4. Implementation
5. Evaluation
It is in the application of each of these processes that the nurse may become proficient at critical thinking. It is important to look at the components that describe critical thinking in nursing, The table below lists components that define the critical thinking process. There is much more that goes into critical thinking than what is listed in the table. The table is a rough draft of the process.
CRITICAL THINKING COMPONENTS
Entails purposeful, informed, outcome focused thinking, that requires careful identification of specific problems and other physiological and psychological factors that affect the clients position on the health and wellness continuum.
The process is driven by the client, the client's family and other health team members who are also collaborating in ensuring essential client care.
Specific educational knowledge base and level of experience in applying that knowledge in client care. (Nursing School to graduate nurse to experienced nurse) As the level of experience of the nurse increases so will the scientific knowledge base that the nurse applies.
Proficiency in the application of the institutions standards, policies and procedures.
Application of the humanistic standards of caring in conjunction with the nursing process, to holistically treat the clients response to an actual or perceived illness.
Constant evaluation and re-evaluation of the nursing process to determine the clients level of wellness
Nurses learn critical thinking via application with experience. Experience is the best teacher. But it is equally important to know that the process is being applied correctly. Many institutions will ensure that this pathway is followed by enlisting new nurses in a eight to ten week orientation program. During this time the new nurse will learn about the polices and procedures of that institution and what type of documentation is used for charting purposes. Also, the new nurse will have an experienced mentor who they will follow and who will evaluate their performance as well.
Documentation is an essential part of the critical thinking process for the nurse. Every institution places emphasis on documentation. It is said, "that if it is not documented, then it was not done". Since the nursing process is a scientific process. In scientific research, all things are documented. In this documentation, researches can look back to see if the results were due to interventions and whether or not the interventions were successful or have to be altered. The documentation process helps the nurse accomplish the same goals. Many times procedures are used that have unproven efficacy.
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Nursing School to Pulling a Paycheck
Graduates of a nursing school or nursing program -- typically called LPN in the industry, or just 'nurses' by the layman -- are a vital part of our nation's health care system. The Licensed Practical Nurse (or Licensed Vocational Nurse in some states) is the entry point of nursedom, the position that has the least stringent requirements to get into. Surprisingly to some, even those 'least stringent' requirements can be pretty tough.
It takes a minimum of two years' education at a classical nursing school or a practical nursing program in order to become an LPN/LVN. Most people find it easier to get an LPN certification over three or four years, taking nursing school alongside their normal college education rather than cramming it all into one all-nursing-class bonanza. Of course, most people want to get their LPN certification as quickly as is practical. Nursing school is expensive, after all, and it can pay to get a jump on the workforce. Just as often, however, you run into students who want to leverage their LPN and remain in school to get an RN (registered nurse) certification or even a Masters in Nursing Education.
On the other hand, the nurses' assistants who go into the practical nursing program at their hospital will generally pack all of the relevant learning into...surprise!... two years of on-the-job training that they do alongside their normal duties as nurses' assistants. The advantage of taking an in-hospital nursing program rather than a practical nursing school, as you might guess, is the social aspect -- you're learning under the people you'll be working under, and alongside the people you'll be working alongside. That can mean a lot when the alternative is going to a new hospital for the first time and trying to prove yourself as a 'fresh from the chalkboard' LPN.
Both groups will have to pass the same basic test in order to acquire their certifications: the National Council of Licensure's Examination of Practical Nursing, or NCLEX-PN. The exam is taken on a computer, in the form of a long series of written questions. The NCLEX of Practical Nursing has four sections: health promotion and maintenance, safe and effective environment of care, physiological integrity, and psychosocial integrity. A nurse must past all four sections independently of one another in order to obtain their certification; failure in any one area means trying again next year.
Once they have obtained their certification, a newly-minted nurse can expect to have a very easy time finding a job; nurses are one of the most in-demand jobs in the country right now. Institutions from hospitals to home health services, from hospice care facilities to the Red Cross -- all of them are desperate for more qualified nurses. Of course, this means that nurses' salary and benefits are much better now than they were even a few years ago. It's rare to find a proven nurse that doesn't at least make median wage these days.
It takes a minimum of two years' education at a classical nursing school or a practical nursing program in order to become an LPN/LVN. Most people find it easier to get an LPN certification over three or four years, taking nursing school alongside their normal college education rather than cramming it all into one all-nursing-class bonanza. Of course, most people want to get their LPN certification as quickly as is practical. Nursing school is expensive, after all, and it can pay to get a jump on the workforce. Just as often, however, you run into students who want to leverage their LPN and remain in school to get an RN (registered nurse) certification or even a Masters in Nursing Education.
On the other hand, the nurses' assistants who go into the practical nursing program at their hospital will generally pack all of the relevant learning into...surprise!... two years of on-the-job training that they do alongside their normal duties as nurses' assistants. The advantage of taking an in-hospital nursing program rather than a practical nursing school, as you might guess, is the social aspect -- you're learning under the people you'll be working under, and alongside the people you'll be working alongside. That can mean a lot when the alternative is going to a new hospital for the first time and trying to prove yourself as a 'fresh from the chalkboard' LPN.
Both groups will have to pass the same basic test in order to acquire their certifications: the National Council of Licensure's Examination of Practical Nursing, or NCLEX-PN. The exam is taken on a computer, in the form of a long series of written questions. The NCLEX of Practical Nursing has four sections: health promotion and maintenance, safe and effective environment of care, physiological integrity, and psychosocial integrity. A nurse must past all four sections independently of one another in order to obtain their certification; failure in any one area means trying again next year.
Once they have obtained their certification, a newly-minted nurse can expect to have a very easy time finding a job; nurses are one of the most in-demand jobs in the country right now. Institutions from hospitals to home health services, from hospice care facilities to the Red Cross -- all of them are desperate for more qualified nurses. Of course, this means that nurses' salary and benefits are much better now than they were even a few years ago. It's rare to find a proven nurse that doesn't at least make median wage these days.
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