The diverse and growing contemporary society population calls for healthcare providers to exercise competency and proficiency for high-quality and patient-centered care to be attained. It is clear that there is a high demand for nurses to further their education, one way of doing this is by having a baccalaureate degree. This paper aims at examining some of the core competencies that affect the field of healthcare. The two key core competencies that will be examined in this paper are; patient-centered care and communication.
Patient-centered care
Definition and summary
One of the core competencies that the future nurse will possess is patient-centered care. It is referred to as “integrated care that accepts an individual’s liking, values, wants and respects the patient as a full partner in offering compassionate, coordinated, ethically suitable safe and productive care.
The competency’s attitudes, knowledge and skills are broken down and discussed further. It is critical that the future nurse understands all components of the nursing stages and is in a position to implement them appropriately based on the particular requirements.
Every patient is going to have a unique viewpoint on their health; consequently, the future nurse must identify individual differences and deliver treatment that matches the patient’s comprehensive requirements. Given that everyone’s social, cultural, and spiritual beliefs and values change from one person to another, it’s crucial that the nurse knows the patient’s expectations and offers treatment accordingly. When executing the plan of health care, the nurse should do continual evaluations of the patient’s norms, preferences emotional and physical comfort and requirements.
Patient scenario
Patient-centered care is a key ability that has been proven several times. The ability was shown in a patient scenario on my second day on the floor as a Registered Nurse. My receptor and I acquired the prior nurse’s report at the client’s bedside ensuring the patient was involved and executing our handoff. We gave hourly rounds on this patient since Catholic Health Systems recently adopted hourly rounding.
The patient was diabetic but was wanting pizza and was disappointed that her dietary limitations allowed her to eat one. We were able to eliminate the diet restriction for that night after communicating with her nutritionist, allowing her to order the pizza she desired. Her blood sugar plummeted to 46 minutes before her pizza arrived. To increase her blood sugar, we rapidly gave her apple sauce, orange juice and graham crackers. Her meal had come. She removed the cover on the pizza, which had been microwaved and looked like rubber. It wasn’t the delectable pizza she had hoped for. My preceptor walked down the street and got the patient a fresh pizza using her own money. The crying patient was overjoyed and grateful.
Evidence-Based Information
Holt (2021) examined increases in quality and safety under patient-centered care competence while examining evidence-based practice journal publications. Through patient-centered care, they identified an issue with the number of times nurses “stuck” a patient before seeking more assistance.t should be noted that some patients were stuck many times before asking for help from a nurse trained in ultrasonography-assisted IV entry. To protect patients, they set targets that culminated in a reduction in the number of attempts to acquire IV access.
Current practice reflection
I believe I meet the patient-centered competency; nevertheless, I believe I need additional patient encounters to genuinely determine where I stand in terms of communication ability, I have always considered myself to be strong.
I have a fantastic basis in terms of knowing what each of these talents entails and meets both to a lesser extent. However, as a new nurse starting in the field, I am well aware that my expertise in these areas may be considerably improved.
Communication
Definition and summary
Another fundamental ability that the future nurse will have is communication, both therapeutically with a patient and between colleagues, interacting successfully with patients’ colleagues and families, encouraging mutual respect and collaborative decision-making, to improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes. The nurse must analyze the patient’s ability to communicate, any communication hurdles and their competence to communicate.
In communication competency, the nurse not only knows what successful communication entails but also exhibits the ability by using, succinct and effective communication vocally in writing and electronically with patients and the health care team.
Patient scenario
I just witnessed a patient scenario in which I believe my communication skills were not fully satisfied. The patient in this example was intellectually handicapped, and while she was vocal, it was difficult to understand what she was saying. It got simpler to understand this patient after spending some time with her. She requested a bath, glasses, hearing aid and dentures. My preceptor informed me that I was wasting too much time trying to find out what this patient wanted and that I needed to better manage my time.
The situation irritated me because there has to be a technique to properly converse with intellectually handicapped patients. Finally, the patient’s demands were not satisfied since she did not receive her items.
Evidence-Based Information
From the scenario provided, the literature study concentrated on evidence-based practice regarding communication between healthcare workers and intellectually impaired patients.
Finally when it comes to a specific group, communication as a key ability is inadequate. Based on the findings of this qualitative study, nurses should be further taught how to customize communication based on the verbal ability level of the patient with a focus on the significance of effective listening and communicating whether or not the family is present (Ong et al. 2022).
Current practice reflection
In terms of my performance, as a communicator, I am aware that there will be several communication challenges that will confront, and each one will be unique. One will be a learning experience to help me improve my knowledge in this field, I still have the impression that improving these abilities; yet, I’m not sure whether I’ll ever feel completely competent since there’s more to study.
Conclusion
Based on my discovery, it is clear that after completing this program as a Baccalaureate nurse, I will be better equipped and more qualified to perform the essential abilities within the nursing profession. I will be in a position to increase patient safety, quality treatment and patient happiness by gaining additional information via this program. For those seeking advanced roles, pursuing a master degree can further expand opportunities in nursing leadership, education, and specialized practice.
References
- Holt, D. M. (2021). Utilization of a Vascular Access Specialty Service: Impact on Hospitalized Pediatric Patients (Doctoral dissertation, Azusa Pacific University).
- Ong, N., Long, J. C., Weise, J., & Walton, M. (2022). Responding to safe care: Healthcare staff experiences caring for a child with intellectual disability in hospital. Implications for practice and training. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 35(3), 675-690.
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