Professional accountability is the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own actions, decisions and performance. It involves recognizing that as a healthcare provider, nurses are held to high standards set forth by the professional code of conduct and established standards of care (Newton, 2017). Professional accountability in nursing requires nurses to act with integrity and honesty at all times while ensuring patient safety and responding appropriately when mistakes are made. The concept of professional accountability is essential for maintaining quality patient outcomes, improving ethical practice within an organization, and upholding legal mandates within the profession (Fink-Samnick et al., 2016).
Nurses demonstrate professional accountability through their clinical expertise by exhibiting a thorough knowledge base of relevant conditions, treatments and medications along with an understanding of evidence-based best practices (Fink-Samnick et al., 2016). Clinical expertise also includes nursing assessment skills so that changes in a patient’s condition can be quickly recognized. Additionally, nurses must be able to make sound judgement calls in order to determine appropriate treatment plans based on existing evidence. This requires critical thinking skills and an ability to synthesize information from multiple sources (Rosenthal & Zimbler Miller 2019).
Outline the concept of professional accountability as it pertains to nursing. Provide examples of how a nurse demonstrates professional accountability in clinical expertise, the nursing process, and evidence-based practice
Professional accountability can also be demonstrated through use of the nursing process which includes assessment, diagnosis planning intervening, implementing interventions evaluating outcomes (Newton 2017). By following this process systematically nurses can ensure accurate diagnoses are made as well as identify any potential complications during care delivery. Furthermore utilizing evidence-based practice helps guide decision making for optimal health outcomes. Evidence-based research provides nurses with proven strategies for effective treatment planning such as prescribing medication or using alternative therapies like lifestyle coaching or stress reduction techniques (Kennedy et al., 2018).
It is important for nurse practitioners to engage in self-care which encompasses mental health spiritual well being not only improves job satisfaction but also promotes better physical health amongst its clinician staff members(Kelley et al., 2020 ). In addition incorporating self -care activities into daily routines has been found to reduce burnout while promoting empathy compassion ,and improved communication amongst patients.(Griffiths 2002) Self -care activities may include mindfulness meditation journaling healthy eating getting enough sleep exercising regularly engaging in hobbies spending time outdoors participating in leisure activities etc.(Lerum et al., 2015) Nurses should recognize that taking care their own emotional needs is just as important as providing adequate care for clients . Therefore establishing regular routines dedicated solely towards self -care enables nurse practitioners stay connected spiritually mentally physically balanced .