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{ntroduction to Nursing c

Selected theoretical definitions of nursingcc


Nightingale (1860)cc

"nursing is the act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his
recovery"cc

Peplau (1952)cc
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"nursing is a significant, therapeutic, interpersonal process that functions cooperatively
with other human processes which make health possible for individuals"cc

Henderson (1960)cc
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"the unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death)
that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge, and to
do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible"cc

Levine (1973)cc
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"nursing is conserving or 'keeping together' the patient's energy and structural, personal,
and social integrity as he/she struggles towards health and well-being to achieve a
positive adaptation"cc

King (1976)cc
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"nursing is an interpersonal process of action, reaction, interaction, and transaction
whereby nurse and patient share information about their perceptions in the nursing
situation"cc

Roy (1976)cc
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"as a science, nursing is a developing system of knowledge about human beings used to
observe, classify, and relate the processes by which persons positively affect their health
status"cc

Professional definitions of nursingcc
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{nternational Council of Nurses ({CN) (1973)cc
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"the unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of those activities contributing to his health, or its recovery (or to peaceful
death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will, or knowledge
and do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible"cc

American Nurses Association (ANA) Social Policy Statement (1980)cc
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"nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health
problems"cc

Legal definition of nursingcc
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Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (1985)cc
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"nursing is diagnosing and treating human responses to actual or potential health
problems through such services as casefinding, health teaching, health counseling, and
provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being, and executing medical
regimens as prescribed by a licensed physician or dentist"cc

Characteristics of a professioncc
c
a well-defined, theoretically based, body of knowledgecc

an ability to deliver a unique service to other human beingscc

specialized, standardized, education based in colleges or universitiescc

standards of practice and education autonomously controlled by its memberscc

a code of ethics which requires integrity from its memberscc

career commitment by its memberscc

a professional association which protects the autonomy of its memberscc

Position of nursing on the occupation-profession modelcc
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theorycc
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occupation = absentcc

nursing = beginning stagescc

profession = presentcc

unique servicecc
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occupation = absentcc

nursing = incompletecc

profession = presentcc

specialized educationcc
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occupation = short; not specializedcc

nursing = varied in length; some specializationcc

profession = long; specializedcc

autonomycc
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occupation = absentcc

nursing = incompletecc

profession = completecc

code of ethicscc
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occupation = undevelopedcc

nursing = highly developedcc

profession = highly developedcc

commitmentcc
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occupation = lowcc

nursing = varies; relatively shortcc

profession = long-termcc

professional associationcc
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occupation = rarelycc
 
nursing = yescc

profession = yescc

motivationcc
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occupation = self-interestcc

nursing = servicecc

profession = servicecc


Aims of nursingcc
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to promote wellnesscc

to prevent illnesscc

to restore healthcc

to facilitate copingcc

Roles and functions of the professional nursecc
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caregivercc
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the provision of care to patients that combines both the art and the science of nursing in
meeting physical, emotional, intellectual, sociocultural, and spiritual needscc

communicatorcc
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the use of effective interpersonal and therapeutic communication skills to establish and
maintain helping relationships with patients of all ages in a wide variety of health care
settingscc

teachercc
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the use of communication skills to assess, implement, and evaluate individualized
teaching plans to meet the learning needs of patients and their familiescc

counselorcc
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the use of effective interpersonal and therapeutic communication skills to provide
information, make appropriate referrals, and facilitate the patient's problem-solving and
decision-making skillscc

leadercc
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the assertive, self-confident practice of nursing when providing care, effecting change,
and functioning with groupscc

researchercc
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the participation in or conduction of research to increase knowledge in nursing and
improve client carecc

advocatecc
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the protection of human or legal rights and the securing of care for all patients based on
the belief that patients have the right to make informed decisions about their own health
and livescc

Selected expanded career roles and functions of the professional nursecc
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nurse generalistcc
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educationcc

baccalaureate degreecc

certifying bodycc
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American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)cc

certification areascc
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psychiatric and mental health nursecc

medical-surgical nursecc

pediatric nursecc

gerontological nursecc

community health nursecc

general nursing practicecc

school nursecc
 
perinatal nursecc

college health nursecc

nursing continuing education/staff developmentcc

home health nursecc

cardiac rehabilitation nursecc

informatics nursecc

certification designationcc
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RN, C (Registered Nurse, Certified)cc

functionscc
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provide beside nursing or direct care in a general areacc

nurse midwifecc
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education requirementcc
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certificate nurse-midwifery program, baccalaureate degree (by 1999)cc

graduate nurse-midwifery program, master¶s degreecc

certifying bodycc
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American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)cc

certification areascc
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nurse midwiferycc

certification designationcc
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RN, CNM (Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse-Midwife)cc

functionscc
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provide prenatal and post-natal care and deliver babies to women with
uncomplicated pregnanciescc

nurse practitionercc
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education requirementcc
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master's degreecc

certifying bodiescc
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American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)cc

certification areascc

pediatric nurse practitionercc

school nurse practitionercc

adult nurse practitionercc

family nurse practitionercc

gerontological nurse practitionercc

acute care nurse practitionercc

certification designationcc
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RN, CS (Registered Nurse, Certified Specialist)cc

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)cc
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certification areascc
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adult nurse practitionercc

family nurse practitionercc

certification designationcc
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NP-C (Nurse Practitioner-Certified)cc

functionscc
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provide primary care: nursing assessments; physical assessments; counseling;
teaching; treatment of minor, self-limiting diseases or conditions; treatment of
stable long-term diseases or conditionscc

clinical nurse specialistcc
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education requirementcc
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master's degreecc

certifying bodycc
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American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)cc

certification areascc
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adult psychiatric and mental health nursingcc

child and adolescent psychiatric and mental health nursingcc

medical-surgical nursingcc

gerontological nursingcc

community health nursingcc

home health nursingcc

certification designationcc
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RN, CS (Registered Nurse, Certified Specialist)cc

functionscc
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provide expertise in the following roles in a specialty area: direct care, education,
consultation, collaboration, research, clinical leadership, change agent, role
model, advocatecc

nurse anesthetistcc
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education requirementcc
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master's degreecc

certifying bodycc
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American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)cc

certification areascc
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nurse anesthesiacc

certification designationcc
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CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)cc

functionscc
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carry out preoperative visits and assessments, administer and monitor
anesthesia during surgery, and evaluate postoperative status of patientscc

Educational preparation for nursing practicecc
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practical and vocational nursing educationcc
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length of studycc
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1 yearcc

degree awardedcc
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certificatecc

locationcc
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high schools, community colleges, technical or vocational schools, and a variety
of independent agenciescc

testcc
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National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) for licensure as a licensed
practical nurse (LPN) and licensed vocational nurse (LVN)cc

registered nursing educationcc
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diplomacc
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length of studycc
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3 yearscc

degree awardedcc
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diploma in nursingcc

locationcc
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hospitals; sometimes affiliated with community colleges, colleges, or
universitiescc

testcc
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National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a
registered nurse (RN)cc

associate degreecc
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length of studycc
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2 yearscc

degree awardedcc
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associate degree in nursing (ADN)cc

locationcc
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community colleges; sometimes affiliated with colleges or universitiescc

testcc
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National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a
registered nurse (RN)cc

baccalaureate degreecc
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length of studycc
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4 yearscc

degree awardedcc
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bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)cc

locationcc
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colleges, universities, external degree programscc

testcc
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National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a
registered nurse (RN)cc

NLN ‰


 


 




 
 (1987)cc
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provide professional nursing care, which includes health promotion and
maintenance, illness, care, restoration, rehabilitation, health counseling,
and education based on knowledge derived from theory and researchcc

synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from nursing,
scientific, and humanistic disciplines with practicecc

use the nursing process to provide nursing care for individuals,
families, groups, and communitiescc

accept responsibility and accountability for the evaluation of the
effectiveness of their own nursing practicecc

enhance the quality of nursing and health practices within
practice settings through the use of leadership skills and
knowledge of the political systemcc

evaluate research for the applicability of its findings to nursing
practicecc

participate with other health care providers and members of the
general public in promoting the health and well-being of peoplecc

incorporate professional values as well as ethical, moral, and
legal aspects of nursing into nursing practicecc

participate in the implementation of nursing roles designed to
meet emerging health needs of the general public in a changing
societycc

ladder programs (e.g., BSN completion; BSN transition; 2 + 2;
RN ± BSN)cc
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length of studycc
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variescc

degree awardedcc
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bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)cc

locationcc
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colleges, universities, external degree programscc

graduate nursing educationcc
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master's degreecc
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length of studycc
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must be completed within five years after matriculationcc

degree awardedcc
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master of science in nursing (MSN)cc

locationcc
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colleges, universities, external degree programscc

doctoral degreecc
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length of studycc
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must be completed within seven years after matriculationcc

degree awardedcc
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doctor of philosophy (PhD)cc

doctor of nursing science (DNS, DNSc)cc

nursing doctorate (ND)cc

locationcc
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colleges, universities, external degree programscc

continuing education (CE)cc
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definitioncc
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professional development experiences designed to enrich the contribution to
health by the nursecc

providercc
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colleges, hospitals, voluntary agencies, and private groupscc

examplecc
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CE experience on how to care for the myasthenic patient in crisis offered by the
American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) to all nursescc

mandatory naturecc
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CE is mandatory in some, but not all, states for relicensurecc

inservice educationcc
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definitioncc
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professional development experiences designed to increase the knowledge and
skill of the staff nursecc

providercc
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hospitals and health care agencies employing the staff nursecc

examplecc
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inservice experience on how to use a new piece of equipment purchased by the
hospital offered by the hospital to all their staff nursescc

Entry level into practice (as of 1985)cc
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practical and vocational nursescc
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function = ?cc

title = ?cc

associate degree nursescc
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function = technical nursecc

title = associate nurse (AN)cc

diploma nursescc
 c
function = ?cc

title = ?cc

baccalaureate nursescc
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function = professional nursecc

title = registered nurse (RN)cc

Professional nursing organizationscc
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national nursing organizationscc
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National Student Nurses Association (NSNA)cc
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established 1953cc

missioncc
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organize, represent and mentor students preparing for initial licensure as
registered nurses, as well as those nurses enrolled in baccalaureate
completion programs; promote development of the skills that students
will need as responsible and accountable members of the nursing
profession; advocate for high quality health carecc

official magazinecc
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{cc

headquarterscc
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350 Hudson St., New York, NY, 10014cc

American Nurses Association (ANA)cc
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established 1897cc

missioncc
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advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing
practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the
workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and
lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues
affecting nurses and the publiccc

official magazinecc
c

 

 cc

headquarterscc
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600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 100 West, Washington DC, 20024cc

National League for Nurses (NLN)cc
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established 1952cc

missioncc
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advance quality nursing education that prepares the nursing workforce to
meet the needs of diverse populations in an ever-changing health care
environmentcc

official magazinecc
c
 

 ‰
cc

headquarterscc
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350 Hudson St., New York, NY, 10014cc

Sigma Theta Taucc
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established 1922cc

missioncc
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foster excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing to improve
health care worldwide; promote the use of nursing research in health
care delivery and make its resources available to all people and
institutions interested in the latest knowledge in nursing carecc

official magazinecc
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{
 

  
 cc

headquarterscc
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550 West North St., {ndianapolis, {N, 46202cc

international nursing organizationcc
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{nternational Council of Nurses ({CN)cc
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established 1899cc

missioncc
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provide a medium though which national nurses associations can
develop the contribution of nursing to the promotion of health of the
people and care of the sick; assist national nurses' associations to
improve the standards of nursing and the competence of nurses
including professional, social and economic positions; promote the
development of national nurses associations; serve as a voice for nurses
and nursing internationallycc

official magazinecc
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{
 
 cc

headquarterscc
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3, rue Ancien-Port 1201, Geneva, Switzerlandcc

selected specialty nursing organizationscc
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American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)cc

Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN)cc

American {ndian Nurses' Association (A{NA)cc

National Black Nurses' Association (NBNA)cc

American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN)cc

Guidelines for nursing practicecc
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 S


‰
 
 (1991)cc
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standards of carecc
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assessment: the nurse collects patient health care datacc

diagnoses: the nurse analyzes the assessment data in determining
diagnosescc

diagnoses: the nurse identifies expected outcomes individualized to the
patientcc

planning: the nurse develops a plan of care that prescribes interventions
to attain expected outcomescc

implementation: the nurse implements the interventions identified in the
plan of carecc

evaluation: the nurse evaluates the patient's progress toward attainment
of outcomescc

standards of professional performancecc
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quality of carecc
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the nurse systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of
nursing practicecc

performance appraisalcc
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the nurse evaluates his or her own nursing practice in relation to
professional standards and relevant statutes and regulationscc

educationcc
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the nurse acquires and maintains current knowledge in nursing practicecc

collegialitycc
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the nurse contributes to the professional development of peers,
colleagues, and otherscc

ethicscc
 c
the nurse's decisions and actions on behalf of patients are determined in
an ethical mannercc

collaborationcc
c
the nurse collaborates with the patient, significant others, and health care
providers in providing patient carecc

researchcc
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the nurse uses research findings in practicecc

resource allocationcc
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the nurse considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost in
planning and delivering patient carecc

nurse practice actscc
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laws established in each state to regulate the practice of nursing that:cc
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protect the public by defining the legal scope of nursing practice, excluding
untrained or unlicensed people from practicing nursingcc

create a state board of nursing or regulatory body having the authority to
make and enforce rules and regulations concerning the nursing
professioncc

define important terms and activities in nursing, including legal
requirements and titles for RNs, LPNs, and LVNscc

establish criteria for the education and licensure of nursescc

the nursing processcc
c
a systematic method that directs the nurse and patient together as they determine the
need for nursing care, plan and implement the nursing care, and evaluate the resultscc

composed of five stepscc
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assessingcc

diagnosingcc

planningcc

implementingcc

evaluatingcc

Trends in nursingcc
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changes in the financing of health care, e.g.:cc
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decreased reimbursement to providers for health carecc

increased number of patients in managed health care programscc

decreased coverage for highly specialized procedurescc

increased need for precertification prior to coverage of health carecc

changes in cost containment activities in health care, e.g.:cc
c
increased use of unlicensed assistive personnel in hospitalscc

increased use of critical pathways in hospitalscc

downsizing of personnel in hospitalscc

increased shift in the provision of health care from hospitals to home settingscc

changes in the needs of hospitalized patients, e.g.:cc
c
increased need for safe, individualized, "high tech" but "high touch" care as they enter
hospitals more acutely illcc

increased need for early, comprehensive discharge planning and education as
they leave hospitals earlier and not completely recovered from their acute
illnessescc

increased need for continuity of care between nurses in hospitals and home
settingscc

increased need to be able to care for themselves in home settings after their
hospitalization where they completely recover from their acute illnesscc
 
changes in the demographics of hospitalized patients, e.g.:cc
c
increased number are elderlycc

increased number have one or more chronic diseasescc

increased number are racial and ethnic minoritiescc

increased number are children living in female-headed single-parent households
at or below the poverty levelcc

changes in the demand for nurses, e.g.:cc
c
increased demand for nurses in home settingscc

increased demand for highly-skilled nurses who can provide safe, individualized,
"high tech" but "high touch" care to more acutely ill hospitalized patientscc

increased demand for advanced practice nurses who can provide primary carecc

increased demand for nurses who are competent in information technologycc

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This page was last modified on 6/1/03 c