Scholarship for Practice
In my portfolio the research will be a continual job throughout my studies towards my BSN and to apply that knowledge to my nursing practice. Nursing is a scientific discipline as well as a profession. New knowledge is translated to healthcare consumer care to promote effective and efficient care in improved patient outcomes(White, O'Sullivan ,2012).
My completion of NURS 300 Pathophysiology allowed me the chance to increase my knowledge in the interdisciplinary management of the physiologic disease process in my patients The class taught me how to understand etiologies, understand and manage diseases that may effect care in a diverse patient population. Weekly topics of case studies discussed allowed us to look at different disease scenarios and to understand it and be able to treat it. The discussion weeks gave us a chance to see how other fellow nurses would handle different critical thinking scenarios using evidence based research to back up each others reasons. We had tests and quizzes throughout the semester that evaluated our knowledge about different pathophysiological topics. I received an A in this class.
In Nursing 320 I developed a plan that takes the steps to allow us to become a more well rounded nurse to provide the skills necessary for better patient care. The classes taken in my plan teaches me the necessary steps to identify and locate scientific research so that nursing care provided is safe and accurate.
The ability to pull evidence out evidence based research was an ongoing task throughout the RN to BSN program. To find the most current evidence, understand it and be able to apply it. It is one of the most important ways that define nursing into a professional nurse. One of those projects involved and paper on Evidence Based Practice that demonstrated my ability to obtain not only useful but accurate information. The paper was research on best outcomes with nurses working 8 hr or 12 hr shifts. Developing this type of approach to research allowed me to establish a foundation for all other papers submitted throughout the BSN program.
In Nursing 440 we were told to take an issue in our nursing practice and research solutions using evidence based practice. One of the areas in my nursing practice that I wanted to better understand the reason of why we do what we do was how we obtained temperatures in the ED on infants. Which method is better than the other, rectal or infrared temporal thermometers? After researching current evidence out in the healthcare system I was able to determine that infrared thermometers when used correctly were capable of obtaining temperatures with almost as much if not as much accuracy as rectal thermometers while decreasing the stress between staff, parents and the child.
Ultimately nurses are responsible and held accountable to maintain their nursing knowledge. By completing my BSN I have a better understanding of the use of current evidence rather than following old practices and beliefs. This understanding allows me to advocate more suitable changes in my practice so that patients are provided with the most current and safest care possible.
Reference: White, K.M. & O’Sullivan, A. (2012). The essential guide to nursing practice. Washington D.C: American Nurses Association.
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