JCMC Nursing Annual Report - Mountain States Health Alliance

Exemplary Professional Practice in Action
Exemplary Professional Practice is the manner
in which our nurses provide Patient-Centered
Care every day (Professional Model of Care). It
embodies the relationships among nursing and other
disciplines. Follow a nurse as she displays Exemplary
Professional Practice:
Katie, Mr. Richards’ nurse for the day, enters his room
with a knock on the door and a smile on her face.
“Hello Mr. Richards, my name is Katie, and I will
be your nurse today.” Katie examines Mr. Richards
and explains what the plan for the day will be. She
tells him that she will be coming in to check on him
approximately every hour, and to ring his call light if
he needs anything before she returns. Before exiting
his room, she asks “How well is your pain managed?”
Mr. Richards does admit that his pain level is a 5.
Katie explains that he has medication available that
will manage his pain and that she will return shortly
with his medication (Autonomy).
Later in the morning, Katie sees Mr. Richards’
physician in the alcove. She approaches to round with
the physician (Interdisciplinary Relationship). When
they enter the room, the physician explains test
results and some new medications that he will order
for Mr. Richards. Katie mentions to the physician
that Mr. Richards is not eating well, and requests
a consult for the dietitian to assist Mr. Richards in
finding a more palatable diet. The physician agrees
and writes the consult (Consultation and Resources).
As midday approaches, the physical therapy assistant
presents on the unit. He has worked with Mr.
Richards to increase the distance Mr. Richards can
ambulate. The physical therapy assistant sees Katie
in the alcove charting and he asks how Mr. Richards
is doing. She tells him that Mr. Richards is up in
the chair and ready to ambulate (Interdisciplinary
Relationship). Katie assists the PTA with ambulating
Mr. Richards in the hallway, and as they return and
assist him into bed, Katie notices some redness to
Mr. Richards’ backside. Katie calls the wound care
nurse to evaluate Mr. Richards’ skin and bed surface
and give input on other interventions that could be
used to prevent further pressure to Mr. Richards’ skin
(Autonomy and Consultation and Resources).
Now that Mr. Richards is settled in his bed, it is
time for Katie to administer his new medications.
She reviews each medication with Mr. Richards as
she scans the barcode in MAK. She explains what
the medications are for and how they will help him
(Nurses as Teachers).
As Katie is finishing her shift, Mr. Richards thanks
her for the care she has provided him today. He tells
her how her care has made a difference and that he
feels he is one step closer to returning to wellness.
As Katie steps back and watches Mr. Richards
enjoy his dinner meal (after some adjustments by
the dietitian), with a manageable pain level (after
administration of his PRN medications during the
day), and with a pressure-relieving bed surface (after
discussion with the wound care nurse), she feels
proud to know the impact her exemplary professional
practice has made on her patient.
The true essence of a Magnet organization stems
from exemplary professional practice within nursing.
This entails a comprehensive understanding of
the role of nursing; the application of that role
with patients, families, communities and the
interdisciplinary team; and the application of new
knowledge and evidence. The goal of this component
is more than the establishment of strong professional
practice; it is what that professional practice can
achieve.
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