Tori Gwilt NURS 324 Evaluate my current practice 1.

How do you make sure you are delivering quality care? First of all, I follow the rules and regulations set out by those who have come before me. By doing this, it ensures that I do not make the same mistakes that other nurses have in the past. It also helps me to perform my nursing duties at a high level of safety, precision, and efficiency. Secondly, I attempt to treat each of my patients as if they were a member of my family. I believe that this allows me to view each patient with empathy, and it increases the quality of care that I give. I also believe that this way of practice helps contribute to the patient feeling cared for and comforted. 2. What do you do to continue your education? Are you updated in your current specialty? I have required continuing education (CE) classes that are specific to my department, which is the operating room. The CE courses are required, and every OR employee must attend, participate, and test out by demonstrating competence in each area of study. These courses are either delivered online through the computer or taught by an instructor. The CE credits cover a variety of material such as sharps safety, proper counting technique, positioning and prepping refresher courses, and updates on gadgets and machines used regularly in the operating room environment. 3. How do you evaluate what you are doing in practice? There are several ways in which I am able to determine my level of nursing practice. First of all, I have an annual one-on-one meeting with my shift coordinator to discuss my work ethic. During this meeting, we also talk about any issues that I have, things that I could improve upon, things that I do well, etcetera. Secondly, the OR gives annual peer reviews. I am required to fill out a form on my practice as well as on a co-worker. This provides an opportunity for me to evaluate myself and also to see how a co-worker views my nursing practice. 4. What do you do to help others in your profession? (Do you work and play well with others?) I believe that I work and play extremely well with others. In my opinion, I believe that collaboration is of vital importance to patient safety (especially in the OR where you are required to collaborate with surgeons, certified surgical assistants, surgical technologists, nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, aids, physician assistants, other nurses, etcetera). In my specialty, I often help others by doing the initial sponge and needle count, instrument count, or aid in positioning during difficult cases. I always offer to help others with any needs that they may have, whether they be personal or professional in nature.

5. Give an example of how you work with/as an interdisciplinary team. I believe that every case in the OR requires me to work as part of an interdisciplinary team. Before the surgical case begins, I must cooperate with the pre-operative area to make sure that the patient is prepped and ready for surgery. I must then work with a member of the anesthesia team to bring the patient back to the operating room to anesthetize the patient. I then collaborate with the surgical technologist, surgeon, and surgical assistant during the procedure to ensure the patients safety. Post-operatively, I must work with the post-anesthesia care unit and transfer the patient into their caring and capable hands. This chain of events requires cooperation and collaboration in order to make the patients surgical experience safe and smooth. 6. Review the code of ethics. How does your practice compare? Give some examples of how you practice ethically. I believe that my current nursing practice closely follows the code of ethics laid out for nurses. The specialty in which I work allows practice of a few ethical standards more than others. For example, I practice patient confidentiality on a daily basis by not discussing the patients surgery or gossiping about a patients situation with other healthcare provider who are not caring for the patient. Other ethical standards, such as the code that states that the nurse will assist the patient in making informed healthcare decisions, I do not use very often because I have limited contact with the conscious patient. By the time I talk to the patient, the decision to proceed with surgery is already made.

7. Have you conducted research? Have you changed your practice because of some research? (If so, what, and did you decided to change after reading the research or just change because you were told to?) Do you think your practice is based on research? No, I have never conducted research of my own. However, I do believe that my practice is based on the many discoveries and findings of others research. I believe that research is the foundational basis for safe, effective, efficient, and quality care. I have changed my practice based on some research. About six months ago, a coordinator from work distributed an article about proper positioning of a patients legs in yellow fin stirrups. After reading this article, I now double check all of the angles and bends in the patients knees as well as hips. This proper patient positioning helps me to prevent pinched nerves as well as a multitude of other possible injuries. I changed my practice voluntarily after reading the article. 8. Do you routinely refer patients to other resources? Are you cost effective in your care? As a nurse in the operating room, I do not refer patients to other resources. I see the patient for approximately 10 minutes before they are anesthetized for surgery. I do believe that I am cost effective in my care. I do not open up expensive surgical supplies until the doctor is sure he/she is going to utilize them during surgery.

9. Are you a team player? Do you contribute to a healthy working environment? I do believe that I am a team player. Working in the operating room is like a big family. I am always willing to lend a helping hand to my co-workers. I try to come to work with a positive attitude and do my best, knowing that in the end, it will have a positive effect on the attitude of others as well as the outcome of the patient.