Perceptions of a Professional Nurse

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (2007) identifies the characteristics of professional nursing as, knowledge, spirit of inquiry, accountability, autonomy, advocacy, innovation, collaboration and ethics. These characteristics are essential for nurses to deliver high levels of patient care. To support the paper's identification of her nurse's professionalism I collaborated with my grandmother in identifying her nurse's actions to support their professional characteristics. My grandmother's nurses demonstrated knowledge by using evidence-based practices by having a repositioning schedule in place to prevent pressure ulcers as she was immobile after surgery and having her participate in passive ROM exercises to promote blood flow and prevent muscle atrophy once cleared for movement. I remember my grandmother grumbling that she did not need assistance with the "easy" exercises. The nurses displayed the spirit of knowledge and accountability as they took on the responsibility of identifying my grandmother's unique emotional needs and following her individualized care plan. My grandmother mentioned that her nurses identified when they felt changes in her care plan i.e. medication and/or dosage adjustments were needed thus representing their autonomy in her care. My grandmother hated sitting for bed all long periods, she did not enjoy watching TV. and certainly was not keen on relaxing or sleeping. The nurses identified the anxiousness her immobility created and were innovated to provide her crosswords, books and cards to keep her mentally occupied. We were in the United States and did not have
the comforts of home. They also advocated for her by requesting the surgeon to re-explain the procedure and answer questions. She was nervous regarding her ability to partake in physical activity, post-op rehabilitation and when she could travel back home to New Brunswick. From an outside perspective, her care was effective which would indicate there was professional collaboration between all the health professionals involved in her care. My grandmother agreed that her care was competent, she felt her safety was of high importance to her nurses, her information was confidential as I was not given privileged information indicating that her care was ethical.