Running head: NURSING STANDARDS

Nursing Standards of Practice

Ashleigh Windel
Ferris State University

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Nursing Standards

The nursing profession is vast and continuously growing. It includes many fields and
specialties that necessitate the use of advanced skills and knowledge. The valuable skills and
knowledge used in nursing practice are acquired through higher level education and training. I
was first introduced to the nursing standards of practice in the first semester of nursing school
and they have since been an integral part of learning the nursing practice. These standards are
applicable in all areas of nursing as a foundation for practice. They provide guidelines and define
important values that are expected to be upheld in the profession. I have learned that the
standards are important to have because they constitute what nursing entails (ANA, 2010). In this
journal I am going to review standards that I feel that I have almost achieved and standards that
are unmet.
Standards Almost Achieved
As a nursing student I have not fully achieved all of the professional standards of nursing.
As a matter of fact, I believe that working toward achieving them will be a continuous process
that does not have an ending. These standards are not just one time goals that are met and
checked off as reached, they are guidelines that nurses follow throughout their practice daily and
must work to maintain. Since I am a student and have limited experience in the clinical setting I
feel that I have almost achieved only two of these standards.
Standard Seven
According to the American Nurses Association (2010), standard seven, ethics, provides
a guideline for caring for patients in a way that protects their autonomy, dignity, rights, values
and beliefs. I believe that I have met this standard and will continue to fully meet this standard in

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my practice. For example, in clinical I base my care for the patient around the patient and their
needs. I once advocated for my patient in clinical to allow them to finish eating their breakfast
before receiving a Lovenox injection. Lovenox injections tend to burn and may cause discomfort
that could interrupt the patients meal. Although the nurse did not seem to consider my
suggestion I felt that I was doing well advocating for my patients wellbeing and comfort. A lot
of nurses that I have observed forget about patient-centered care and being that I am still fresh
into nursing I think that I sometimes have a better grasp on this standard than they do.
Standard Eight
Standard eight, education, is currently being worked towards in my practice. Being in
nursing school I am participating in educational activities that expand my professional
knowledge and experiences that reflect current practice (ANA, 2010). I may not have fully met
this standard but it is consistently being implemented in my practice. Through schooling at Ferris
State University I have participated in educational events to expand my professional knowledge;
tuberculosis skin test clinic, scholarship day and service learning project.
Standards Unmet
Most of the standards of professional nursing practice are unmet in my practice. As stated
earlier, I believe that these standards are not necessarily goals that can be achieved and checked
off but guidelines or competencies that influence nursing practice on a day to day basis. These
last eight standards are more applicable to a working registered nurse than a student nurse. Once
I receive my license and begin working it will be much easier for me to incorporate these
competencies into my practice.
Standard Nine

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According to the American Nurses Association (2010), standard nine, evidence-based

practice and research, utilizes evidence-based nursing knowledge, including research findings,
to guide practice. Although I have been exposed to evidence-based practice through my
education I feel that I have not met this standard and will be unable to do so until I am a working
registered nurse. My plan to meet this standard once I acquire my license is to continue to
research on my own time for new and improved evidence-based practice. I can take this
knowledge and bring into my work by sharing with nurse supervisors and other peers.
Standard Ten
Standard ten, quality of practice, states that the registered nurse contributes to quality
nursing practice (ANA, 2010). This standard is difficult to achieve as a student. According to the
American Nurses Association (2010), a few competencies include: identifying practices
important for quality monitoring; collecting data to monitor quality and effectiveness of nursing
practice; and developing and implementing policies or procedures to improve quality of practice.
Many of these competencies seem out of reach for a registered nurse working on the floor but if I
was to get involved in team meetings and committees that aim to improve quality of practice on
the floor I could achieve this standard.
Standard Eleven
Standard eleven, communication, states that the registered nurse communicates
effectively in practice (ANA, 2010). The American Nurses Association (2010) includes that
registered nurses should be able to accurately convey information and advocate for the patient as
part of the competencies for this standard. I plan to meet this standard by interacting with other

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members of the healthcare team, patients and families in practice by answering questions to the
best of my ability, relaying information and being professional.
Standard Twelve
Standard twelve, leadership, is demonstrated in the professional practice setting and
profession through overseeing nursing care provided by others and retaining accountability for
quality of care given (ANA, 2010). As a student nurse I feel that I have not had the opportunity
to achieve this standard mainly because I do not have the knowledge or experience of working as
a registered nurse yet. I will work towards this standard as I become more comfortable in my
practice. A good way to achieve this standard is to be a part of the team committees that are
present on the unit I will work on. I could become involved in implementing new policies and
with more experience I could possibly become a mentor for other peers.
Standard Thirteen
Standard thirteen, collaboration, involves the registered nurse communicating with
other members of the healthcare team, the patient and family members to create a plan of care
(ANA, 2010). I have started to do this as a student in the clinical setting but since I have not had
the full responsibility of the nurse it has not been possible to be as involved. I plan to achieve this
standard by utilizing other members of the healthcare team as a new nurse through asking
questions when I am unsure and through relaying information. I think that this standard will not
be hard to achieve once I am working in the field because it is necessary to collaborate in order
to complete the job and provide quality care.
Standard Fourteen

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Standard fourteen, professional practice evaluation, involves the registered nurse

reviewing their own practice as compared to standards, guidelines, regulations and rules (ANA,
2010). This is another standard that I have started to work towards in my student nursing
practice. For each clinical area I have been required to complete an evaluation of my
performance as a student nurse. As a registered nurse you carry the responsibility of reviewing
your own practice on your own time. It is important to recognize strengths and weaknesses
where growth would be beneficial (ANA, 2010). This can be achieved through obtaining
feedback from peers, as well as, keeping up to date on evidence based practice and utilizing it.
Standard Fifteen
Standard fifteen, resource utilization, states that the registered nurse uses appropriate
resources to provide safe care to patients (ANA, 2010). As a student it is difficult for me to
identify resources because I lack experience. Being familiar with your workplace environment
and what resources are available is important. I plan to achieve this standard by becoming
familiar with the floor I work on and asking questions when I am unsure. It would also be a good
idea to be familiar with the hospital policies and procedures which could include what resources
are available for certain nursing skills. Another aspect of resource utilization is being able to
provide referrals. For example, if you have a patient that is homeless it would be appropriate to
provide them with information to a shelter or a program that could assist them after they are
discharged from the hospital.
Standard Sixteen
Standard sixteen, environmental health, involves the registered nurse practicing in an
environmentally safe and healthy manner (ANA, 2010). This standard can be achieved through

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recognizing environmental hazards that may have a negative impact on patient care or even
employee safety. For example, cleaning up spills so nobody slips or using correct personal
protective equipment when caring for a patient on isolation.
Conclusion
The standards of professional nursing practice provide guidelines for nurses in all areas
and roles (ANA, 2010). As stated earlier, these standards are goals that are not checked off if
reached once, rather they should be worked on daily. Most of these standards will become more
achievable once I begin working as a registered nurse and acquire more responsibility.

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References

American Nurses Association (2nd ed.). (2010). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice. Silver
City, MD: Nursebooks.org