Contemporary Nursing Practiceself-Assessment

Contemporary Nursing PracticeSelf-Assessment

DoIpromotecontemporary nursingpracticeinmydepartmentorunit? / ✓As a nurse manager/unit leader, I ensure that the most up-to-date nursing standards are part of our delivery of patient care
✓I use professional standards and current nursing research when developing practice guidelines, documentation tools, and policies specific to my patient population
Is contemporary nursing practice reflected in my nursing documentation? / ✓I take into account resources such as the Joint Commission standards, state and federal regulations, and other written professional standards when developing new documentation tools
DoImeetthecurrentstandards and expectations for nursing management? / ✓I am certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in my specialty (e.g., pediatrics, medical-surgical, perinatal, home health)
✓I have achieved the highest level of education required for the position
✓I belong to a professional nursing association
✓I review my job description annually to ensure that it meets contemporary nursing management standards and review any professional publications specific to nursing management
✓I attend at least one professional seminar per year
✓I expect my staff to perform at their highest level when given appropriate direction and resources
✓I ensure that all new staff have adequate orientation to their position
✓I recommend extension of the orientation/learning period until I am satisfied that the nurse can provide competent patient care
✓I fairly evaluate my staff based on concrete evidence of performance
✓I inform them of areas of concern and assist in their process to meet the mutually agreed-upon goals (when necessary)
✓I encourage performance improvement as demonstrated in our monitored quality outcomes and in compliance with documentation policies
Does my staff practice state-of-the-art nursing? / ✓I have several nurses who are certified by the ANCC or other professional organization
✓I encourage the staff to belong to a professional association, achieve the highest level of nursing education, attend continuing-education sessions, be up to date on any new or revised policies and procedures, participate on hospital committees, and read current nursing literature
✓We use evidence-based nursing practice in our day-to-day patient care
✓The staff complete hospital-required competency/skills testing
✓Documentation on the unit is in accordance with the established policies and standards

Excerpt fromImproving Nursing Documentation and Reducing Riskby Patricia A. Duclos-Miller, MSN, RN, NE-BC; copyrightHCPro 2016.