Introduction
Professional organizations for nurses can be seen as an appropriate platform for sharing knowledge, developing professional networks, and self-development. Many professional organizations exist, and they often focus on specific aspects of nursing. Registered nurses choose an organization that can best respond to their professional needs. This paper includes an analysis of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN).
Professional Organization
The American Society for Pain Management Nursing was founded in 1990 when seven RNs decided to establish an organization that would focus on caring for patients with pain (Formation & early history of ASPMN®, 2016). The mission of the organization is “to advance and promote optimal nursing care for people affected by pain by promoting best nursing practices,” which can be “accomplished through education, standards, advocacy and research” (Mission statement & goals, 2016). The major activities of the organization involve education, training, certification, research, and advocacy. Notably, the organization offers its training program that is aimed at providing nurses with the necessary knowledge and skills in pain management.
Professional Nursing Concepts
Before evaluating the organization, it is essential to consider major professional nursing concepts. Some of the central professional nursing concepts are caring, critical thinking, effective communication, holism, and professionalism. Caring is the basic principle of nursing, and RN should provide high-quality care for patients to satisfy their needs (Black, 2013). These needs involve physical, psychological, and emotional. Thus, the RN should provide the necessary clinical services (injections, pills, and so on), assistance with carrying out everyday activities, emotional support through comforting the patient. Importantly, the nurse should make sure that the care is based on such principles as respect, focus on dignity, and the right to choose. The RN should also provide all the necessary information concerning the physical conditions the patient has to the patient as well as the caregiver. More so, the nurse provides information concerning further living with certain health conditions as well as coping strategies. Nursing care involves the establishment of trusting relationships between the patient and the nurse.
Communication is another important concept in nursing. As has been mentioned above, the nurse should establish proper relationships with the patient and the caregiver. Effective communication is crucial for this process. The nurse should focus on respect, collaboration, empathy (Black, 2013). Notably, it is also essential to develop proper communication patterns with other healthcare professionals, which will ensure the provision of high-quality services.
Critical thinking and professionalism are crucial for the nursing practitioner. The RN should have critical thinking skills to be able to respond to the patient’s needs and choose the most appropriate behavioral pattern. It is important to be critical when discussing treatment details with other healthcare professionals and when making reports (Black, 2013). Professionalism implies the focus on the provision of high-quality services as well as emotional care.
Finally, holism is the professional nursing concept that embraces the principles mentioned above. Holism can be regarded as a framework RNs should utilize. All the aspects of the patient’s well-being should be taken into account when developing the treatment plan as well as the relationship with the patient. The RN has to balance between what is better for the patient in terms of healthcare and what is appropriate for him/her in terms of the patient’s cultural peculiarities, emotional state, and so on.
Evaluation of the Organization
It is possible to note that ASPMN is the organization that promotes primary professional nursing concepts. More so, the organization focuses on some of the central aspects of nursing caring for patients in pain. The RN should have particular skills to soothe the pain or help the patient tolerate it. First, it is necessary to consider the ways the organization supports and advocates the standards existing in the field. The organization provides all the necessary information on standards, policies, and various amendments, which helps the members of ASPMN remain updated (Advocacy, 2016). More so, legal issues, standards, and policies are always discussed during various conferences, meetings as well as online discussions.
Furthermore, the focus on such concepts as professionalism, critical thinking, caring, and communication is manifested through the area of professional development (Certification, 2016). Members of the organization can participate in various programs as well as attend training courses. Conferences and meetings, which can be seen as the platforms for sharing knowledge and experience, also contribute to the development of professional skills.
Communication is one of the important nursing concepts that can also be traced to the organization in question. ASPMN provides a platform for communication among nursing professionals who share their experiences. This communication leads to the development of communication skills every nurse can use at the workplace. The organization also embraces the concept of holism as it addresses all the aspects of pain management nursing.
Conclusion
On balance, it is possible to note that the American Society for Pain Management Nursing is a professional nursing organization that advocates and promotes existing standards and policies. ASPMN also encourages nurses to embrace major professional nursing concepts, caring, critical thinking, effective communication, holism, and professionalism. This is implemented through various educational programs, meetings, and conferences as well as the official website of the organization, which is an online platform for communication.
Reference List
Advocacy. (2016). Web.
Black, B.P. (2013). Professional nursing: Concepts & challenges. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Certification. (2016). Web.
Formation & early history of ASPMN®. (2016). Web.
Mission statement & goals. (2016). Web.