Professional Accountability

Professional Accountability:

Across the Spectrum of Nursing

Professional accountability is a phrase frequently used across the continuum of nursing practice. Accountability is often associated with specific expectations which include aspects that range from clinical care to legislative issues. Nursing accountability defines the nurse's responsibility to practice ethically and competently. Although nurses practice under universal standards of care, it is essential that each nurse define his or her own ethics and responsibilities within the scope of his or her chosen field.

In reviewing the University of Phoenix Professional Responsibilities of BSN Students, number three discusses awareness and sensitivity to values and feelings of others (2005). This can be incorporated into nursing practice as well as a student environment. "Taylor, Lilis and LeMone (1993,p.61) define values as personal beliefs about worth that acts as a standard to guide one's behavior"(Wilkinson,G.M.1997). Values are part of the make up of all individuals. They form in childhood and change through experiences in our lives (Potter and Perry 1997,p.308)(Wilkinson,G.M.1997). "According to Potter and Perry (1997,p.310), Because values give identity, influence actions, and sustain what is meaningful, professions are as strong as the values on which they are based"(Wilkinson,G.M.1997). Values are considered an integral part of the nursing profession for they influence the way people react and behave.

It is important for nurses to be aware of their own values as well as those they care for. Clinical nursing care often leads to an invasion of personal space both for the patient as well as the nurse. This invasion can interfere with the values and personal feelings of those involved. Oftentimes when dilemmas occur, it is due to a conflict of values between nurses and patients.

In my experience as an emergency room nurse, it is often family members who define the values and feelings possessed by our patients. It is important to take the time to listen, as often the patients do not wish to "burden" nurses with further demands in care therefore, they don't extend this information themselves. Respecting and incorporating a patients values into their care regimen, is vital to a more positive recovery and in accordance with the ethical standards of nursing.

According to the American Nursing Association's(ANA) Code of Ethics 2005, provision 1 states "The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems"(ANA,2005).

Respect for others is not only vital but is the

cornerstone of ethical practice. Respect must be

extended not only to patients, but their family members

and our fellow coworkers as well.

The preservation of dignity is also essential to

nursing care. When combined with respect, quality

relationships develop. This form of relationship allows

nurses both individually and collaboratively, to

provide the best overall care to their patients and

families. Although these types of relationships have

always been important in my life, I have now discovered

the vital impact they have on establishing trust with

my patients.

Working in an inner city emergency department has

exposed me to many different walks of life from all

levels of society. Many of our patients' daily lives are

filled with anger and mistrust as a direct result of

their environment and socioeconomic status. In

emergency medicine, it often becomes crucial to

establish a trusting relationship in a short amount of

time with patients since individuals lives often

hang in the balance. Without this trust, the delivery

of effective nursing care is hindered.

Practicing on the frontline of clinical nursing,