Introduction
The practice of nursing is the most challenging and demanding as compared to other jobs since nurses are also called upon to provide patients care in hospitals and homes. This requires nurses to put their patients as their priority in order to ensure quality service delivery and guarantee quality healthcare; this often requires a Differentiated Practice Model (DPM) that has been adopted at my workplace.
Discussion
The Differentiated Practice Model is a form of nursing practice that is defined by numerous aspects including educational level, clinical skills, job group, and involvement in decision-making (Blais, 2006). This model has enabled us to practice quality service delivery and maintain the required ethical standards; in addition, this model has also facilitated our commitment to the ANA code of ethics, ANA Bill of Rights, and the expected standards of practice (Blais, 2006).
Respect for human dignity
By adopting the DPM, nurses have been able to honor and adhere to the ANA code of ethics through respect for human dignity which is an essential component in the nursing practice. At my workplace, nurses have taken this issue as a personal responsibility to uphold the human dignity and value all patients regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, cultural values, religion, and social status (The American Nurses Associated, Inc, 2010). Besides, it is also evident that nurses also observe mutual respect of their senior officers, care providers, and work colleagues. For instance while at the work environment, I have observed how nurses treat patients especially those in critical condition such as unconscious patients. In order to uphold and maintain human dignity, nurses go about treating and providing services to such patients with care; this means that the model has enabled nurses to have respect for human dignity.
Relationships to patients
The way a nurse relates to a patient is fundamental to the patient’s rapid recovery (Barnum and Kerfoot, 1995). Indeed, according to research, the general relationship between the nurse and patient sets the quality of care experience and has a powerful influence on patient contentment (Barnum and Kerfoot, 1995). In my workplace, the DPM has played a vital role in influencing nurses to establish good relationship with patients, provide quality services, value the needs of patients, and offer services to patients without discrimination.
Relationships with colleagues and others
By adopting the Differentiated Practice Model, we are proud in the way nurses relate with other colleagues at the workplace. In the working environment, I have seen nurses cultivate close relationship with each other in such a manner that demonstrates their genuine concern about each other with honesty where conflicts between colleagues are resolved (Blais, 2006).
At the work environment, nurses have many roles including nursing patients, administrative responsibilities, carrying out research works, educating the society and acting as medical consultants (Rider and Hartley, 2004). However, in the process of executing these roles, the nurses treat their senior and junior colleagues with absolute respect and consideration. The Differentiated Practice Model has therefore enabled nurses at my workplace to develop team building, establish values, and work together in order to provide quality health services.
Conclusion
It is basic that all nursing departments should observe and adhere to the code of ethics since the ANA code of ethics provides a stable foundation to the nursing practice, allowing social change and organization development. By implementing the DPM at my place of work, nurses have been able to participate in the decision making which has also contributed to the success of the health sector.
References
Barnum, S. & Kerfoot, M. (1995). The nurse as executive. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Blais, K. (2006). Professional nursing practice: concepts and perspectives. New York: Prentice Hall.
Rider, J. & Hartley, C. (2004). Nursing in today’s world: trends, issues & management. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
The American Nurses Associated, Inc (2010). Code of ethics nurses with interpretive statements. Web.