Professionalism in nursing is a critical aspect of ensuring patient safety and quality care. As the writer mentioned, accountability plays a significant role in this regard. Nurses are accountable to various stakeholders, including themselves, their patients, colleagues, workplace, and the nursing profession as a whole (Battié & Steelman, 2014).
One important reason for accountability in nursing is to enhance continuity of care. This means that nurses must take responsibility for ensuring that their patients receive excellent care throughout their healthcare journey, including post-surgery. Nurses should be proactive in identifying and addressing the patient’s health issues, potential complications, and immediate care needs. By doing so, they contribute to the seamless transition of care, which ultimately improves patient outcomes (Battié & Steelman, 2014).
Clinical competency is another aspect of accountability that is crucial for providing exceptional nursing care. Nurses must continuously expand their clinical skill set and stay updated with evidence-based practice findings. By implementing evidence-based interventions, nurses can ensure that their care is based on the best available evidence, leading to improved patient outcomes (Davis, 2017).
Additionally, accountable interactions between nurses and other healthcare professionals are vital for patient safety. By being accountable, nurses can actively clarify critical points that may impact patient safety and outcomes. This includes advocating for necessary resources, raising concerns, and collaborating with other healthcare team members to ensure the provision of safe and high-quality care. Furthermore, accountability can also extend to mentoring and assisting junior nurses in developing their skills and confidence, contributing to the growth and excellence of the nursing profession (Battié & Steelman, 2014).
In summary, accountability is an essential aspect of nursing professionalism. It ensures continuity of care, clinical competency, and patient safety. Nurses must be accountable to themselves, their patients, colleagues, workplace, and profession. By embracing accountability, nurses can provide the best possible care and contribute to the ongoing improvement of the nursing profession.
References
Battié, R., & Steelman, V. M. (2014). Accountability in nursing practice: Why it is important for patient safety. Medsurg Nursing, 23(5), 537-541.
Davis, C. (2017). The importance of professional accountability. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, 15(2), 36-37.