Running head: SELF-ASSESSMENT

Self-Assessment of Nursing Standards of Practice

Megan Lammers
Ferris State University

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Self-Assessment of Nursing Standards of Practice

The American Nurses Association (ANA) 16 standards are for practicing nurses. As a
Ferris State University Nursing Student I am required to evaluate and reflect on ten standards.
This paper will use the LEARN steps to guide a self-assessment of standards seven through
sixteen. After reflecting on each standard, a professional goal were established, which reflects a
plan to maintain competency in each standard.
Purpose of Standards
The Nursing Standards of Practice were created by the ANA to guide nursing practices
(American Nurses Association [ANA] 2010, p. 46). The standards describe the level of behavior
in the professional role, as well as the activities registered nurses are expected to engage in.
Standard of Practice
Standard 7: Ethics
This standard defines ethical nursing practice. This standard includes delivery of care
in a manner that preserves and protects healthcare consumer autonomy, dignity, rights, values,
and beliefs (ANA, 2010, p. 47). Also included are speaking up when appropriate to question
healthcare practice when necessary for safety and quality improvement. The main focus of this
standard is what I expected. Nurses are responsible in protecting patients rights, dignity, values,
and beliefs. The knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to achieve this standard would include
respect and attentiveness. Nurses need to be respectful of patients beliefs and rights. Nurses
need to be attentive, paying attention to all aspects of patients care.
Two clinical experiences that I have encountered have allowed me to meet this standard.
One experience included promoting an elderly patients dignity while going through a vulnerable
situation. Recently I had a 92 year old patient who came into the hospital with a small bowel

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obstruction. She was experiencing urinary incontinence. When I entered the room to receive
report the patient was using the bedside commode, half dressed, and with the nurse tech present.
She was unable to produce any urinary output, so by physicians orders she needed to have a
straight catheterization. While performing this task I made sure the patient was draped, covered,
comfortable, and informed of the procedure. The second experience included advocating for
patient safety. The patient was receiving intravenous fluids (IV) at 125ml per hour. While doing
morning medications I questioned the nurse as to the reason for the high fluid rate. As a result
the nurse was able to contact the physician to get the IV fluid rate lowered. With questioning the
IV rate fluid overload potential was reduced. Because the patient was elderly, the need for this
high rate was not appropriate. With these two clinical experiences I was able to experience the
importance of preserving patient dignity and rights. Also, I was able to meet this standard by
advocating when appropriate for the patients safely involving the high IV rate. I would not
change my approach; patient safety and dignity is very important to remember while performing
patient care, and I will carry that into my nursing practice. A goal to maintain this standard
would include providing care to patients that I would want to receive myself. As well as
preserving and protecting patients values, rights, and beliefs.
Standard 8: Education
Education is defined as the attainment of knowledge and competency that reflects
current nursing practice (ANA, 2010, p. 49). This standard includes acquiring skills and
knowledge appropriate to the role population, setting role, situation, or specialty, as well as
seeking independent learning experiences to maintain clinical skills and knowledge. This
standard was what I expected, as nurses education is important. Nursing is a career that requires
a high level of education, and nurses are always learning.

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While in clinical this semester I have meet this standard. This semester my clinical
rotation is at Blodgett Hospital on the orthopedic unit. There are many patients recovering from
knee and hip replacement surgery, as well as shoulder surgery. My clinical instructor set up an in
service with the physical and occupational service departments. I learned common joint
replacement precautions. No twisting, bending, or lifting were the main things the therapist
stressed for the patients. The therapists brought us to an empty patient room and showed us how
to ambulate patients in bed, and out of bed after surgery. They discussed the requirements the
patients need to perform in order to be discharged and the way they determine if rehab either
inpatient or outpatient is suggested. This in service allowed me to obtain the knowledge and
skills appropriate to the clinical setting. The knowledge will allow me to carry what I learned
into my patient care when physical and occupational therapy are not present.
Another aspect of this standard includes seeking independent learning experiences to
develop and maintain clinical skills and knowledge: (ANA, 2010, p. 49). I have met this
standard by looking up information I did not know, learning the medication I was giving, and
looking into why lab values were abnormal. I want to be a competent nurse, and the only way
that will happen is if I am always seeking new learning experiences, so I can improve my clinical
knowledge. The approach I have towards this standard will not change. I understand that
education in the nursing field is very important and that as a nurse I will never be done learning.
My goal to maintain this standard is to learn daily.
Standard 9: Evidence-Based Practice and Research
The ANA (2010) defines this standard as the nurse integrating evidence and research
findings into practice (p. 51). This standard includes utilizing evidence-based nursing
knowledge to guide nursing practice. This standard is what I expected, as evidence based

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practice is what drives patient care and safety. The knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to
achieve this standard would include attentiveness. Nurses need to be attentive to what is the most
recent evidence based research and carry that into nursing practice.
I met this standard while on my pediatric rotation at Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital.
During my previous nursing course I researched ways to prevent the number of infants dying
from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). I applied this research in the clinical setting. I
placed an infant on their back inside a crib with no blankets or toys to prevent suffocation and
SIDS. Research has shown that these practices can decrease the number of infants that suffer
from SIDS. This standard is what I expected and plan to maintain this standard by always
making sure I am performing evidence based care to my patients.
Standard 10: Quality of Practice
Quality of Practice is defined as the registered nurse contributing to quality nursing
practice. The standard competencies include implementing activities to enhance the quality of
nursing practice and also participating in quality improvement involving safety to provide
effective patient care (ANA, 2010, p.52). Skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to meet this
standard would include diligence. Nurses need to be diligent in the care they provide.
I have met this standard by implementing activities to enhance the quality of nursing
practice by always washing my hands prior to entering or leaving any patient room.
Implementing this activity as a busy nurse is important. The second way I have met this standard
would be by participating in quality improvement involving safety. I have done this by being
very diligent in making sure that the patient is always safe in bed and for any kind of transport.
This is especially important in the clinical rotation I am currently in because most are recovering
from a joint replacement surgery. Safety is the number one concern, so while getting ready to

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leave any patient room I make sure the bed is in the lowest position and the bed alarm is active.
While transporting patients, making sure the correct number of assistants are present and also
having the correct equipment such as a gait belt or walker. Safety also involves the environment
the patient is in. For example making sure the chair alarm is in place and chair wheels are locked
ensures patient safety. If the patient is being transported to the bathroom I make sure the
bathroom is clear of any tripping hazards and the patient will be able to move around in the
bathroom safely. Quality improvement involving safety is very important, and can result in more
effective patient care. This standard is what I expected and I am glad ANA (2010) included
safety in regards to more effective patient care. Safety of patients is the most important thing. I
will always make it a goal to very diligent with my patients safety, making sure it is my top
priority. Always asking if there is anything else my patient needs prior to leaving the room so
they do not have to risk their safety in trying to do something independently, as well as
remembering those things like bed alarms and call lights are in reach each time I leave my
patients room.
Standard 11: Communication
Communication is defined by the ANA (2010), as communicating effectively in a variety
of formats in all areas of practice. The standard includes the registered nurse assessing their
own communication skills in encounters with healthcare consumers, families, and colleagues
(p.54). I believe communication skills are very important in nursing. Nurses are always
communicating with patients, families, and other health care providers. Knowledge, skills, and
attitudes related to this standard would be knowing the therapeutic communications skills, and
having a patient attitude.

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I have met this standard at my clinical rotation at Pine Rest. During this I engaged
communication skills while having a conversation with a patient suffering from a mental health
disease. A conversation with a patient that has a mental health disease involves using therapeutic
communication skills. Therapeutic communication skills that I used while talking to my patient
included seeking clarification, exploring, and restating. Using these therapeutic communication
skills allows nurses to obtain more information from patients. Always remembering the
therapeutic communication skills while performing patient care will help me maintain this
standard in my nursing career.
Standard 12: Leadership
Leadership is defined as the registered nurse demonstrates leadership in the professional
practice setting and the profession (ANA, 2010, p.55). Two competencies of this standard
include the treatment of colleagues with respect, trust and dignity and participation in
professional organizations.
I have met this standard by participating in group work as well as being a part of Ferris
State Nursing Association (FSNA). Throughout nursing school group work is a significant part
of class work; with group work comes the importance of treating peers with respect, trust, and
dignity. Group work is often not my first choice for assignments due to bad experiences in the
past, but nurses work collaboratively with other nurses daily and I am realizing how important it
is. Collaborative work allows me to experience the ideas of classmates. Effective collaboration
requires respect, and dignity. Nurses need to be respectful of others ideas and learn to trust in
peers that they will contribute adequately to the group. I have come to appreciate group work
and have begun to understand its benefits. The second way I have met the leadership standard is
by participating in a professional organization. I have participated in FSNA for a year and half.

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To be a member of the association requires payment of dues, attend monthly meetings, as well as
complete ten hours of community service. A purpose of FSNA is to better the surrounding
community by donating gift bags to hospice patients for Valentines Day, collecting canned
goods for local food baskets, or running blood pressure screenings at local businesses. Being a
part of this organization I can be leader in the community.
This standard is what I expected it would be. As nursing students it is important to begin
to take on the role as a leader. Being in a group setting and treating others with respect, trust,
and dignity is being a leader. Also, an attitude of confidence needs to be portrayed when leading
a group. I need to be supportive of group members and lead them in a positive direction when in
the leader role. After I graduate I plan to maintain leadership by becoming a part of the ANA.
Being a part of the ANA will allow me to develop professionally. Using the ANA resources such
as nursing journals or continuing education classes will allow me to stay proficient in skills and
knowledge and will allow me to be a leader in the workplace.
Standard 13: Collaboration
Collaboration is defined as the registered nurse collaborates with the healthcare
consumer, family, and others in the conduct of nursing practice (ANA, 2010, p. 57). The
competencies include partnering with others to effect change and produce positive outcomes
through the sharing of knowledge of the healthcare consumer and/or situation. Knowledge,
skills, and attitudes needed to effectively meet this standard would include effective
communication skills, patience, respect, and acceptance of others ideas. This standard is what I
expected it to be and the importance of collaboration is very important in the nursing field.
I have met this standard by participating in the interprofessional education (IPE) through
the first year of nursing school. Pharmacy students and nursing students came together to

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collaborate care for one patient. Four pharmacy students and I were assigned a patient from the
community that had volunteered their time to meet with us four times over the year to complete
our assignments. The pharmacy students gathered information about the medication our health
mentor was taking and offered suggestions on them. The nursing students created an educational
brochure related to a disease state our mentor had. My health mentor had diabetes and
mentioned he wanted to begin to look into getting diabetic shoes. So I made a brochure with
resources around his hometown that had diabetic shoes options and the benefits of getting them.
Collaborating with pharmacy students was a learning experience, and I am glad I had the
opportunity to be a part of the IEP. Learning to work with other professions is important because
while in the clinical setting nurses have to collaborate doctors, nurse managers, and other nurses.
I plan to maintain collaboration by always working with other healthcare professionals at my
workplace.
Standard 14: Professional Practice Evaluation
Professional Practice evaluation is defined as the registered nurse evaluating her or his
own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant
statutes, rules, and regulations (ANA, 2010, p. 59). Competencies included with this standard
include taking actions to achieve goals identified during the evaluation process. This standard is
what I expected and shows the importance of evaluations in nursing practice. Evaluations are a
way nurses can improve upon their practices and bring areas of deficiency to attention.
I have meet this standard through the weekly clinical evaluations. Weekly clinical
evaluations has brought up deficiencies in my clinical practice. Some goals have been
established during my evaluation process in the clinical setting and these include become more
confident and work on medication competency. I have struggled with these two areas in my

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clinical setting thus far, and but I have taken actions to achieve these goals. Actions that I have
taken to improve my competency in these two areas include making flash cards with medications
and looking up information with which I am not confident with. Taking the constructive
criticism from my clinical evaluations has allowed me to make goals to become a better student.
Using the ideas my clinical instructors have had to better my knowledge. I want to have
confidence in the clinical setting and be proficient with medication passes. I am going to
continue to work on these two areas from my evaluation. My goal to maintain this standard into
my nursing career would include always looking up information if it is unclear so I can exhibit
the confidence and always be educating myself on medications.
Standard 15: Resource Utilization
Resource Utilization is defined as the registered nurse utilizes appropriate resources to
plan and provide nursing services that are safe, effective, and financially responsible (ANA,
2010, p.60). The competencies included with this standard include assessing individual
healthcare consumer care needs and resources available to achieve desired outcomes, as well as
advocates for resources, including technology, that enhance nursing practice. This standard is
what I expected and includes many very important aspects that can improve patient care. The
skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to achieve this standard would include taking
responsibility for things not known, and taking the initiative to use the resources available.
As a nursing student I have met this standard while in the clinical setting. In clinical I am
always utilizing the appropriate resources to provide nursing services that are effective and safe.
Recently at clinical I needed to administer an IV push medication that I was not familiar with so
I used Spectrum Healths drug references prior to familiarize myself with the medication as well
as the push rate required for the medication. Using the drug reference resource I was able to

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provide safe and effective nursing care to that patient. Also while in clinical I have looked into
Spectrum Healths policies for procedures such as nasogastric tube placement to an
intramuscular injection when questions arose. If nurses have not performed a task such as an
indwelling catheter, you can use the policy to familiarize yourself with the procedure. Another
competency of this standard includes advocating for resources including technology to enhance
nursing practice. I support these resources and their availability to all hospital personnel and this
is possible through technology. Having all the information about policies, discharge plans, and
medication administration available for everyones access is important. Technology has allowed
this to happen and as a result improves patient care by allowing nurses to perform safe and more
effective patient care. I will continue to utilize these resources in my future nursing practice and
believe it is a great resource implemented to prevent mistakes in patient care. A goal that will
allow me to maintain this standard would include always using my resources when I do have
questions in my practice. Using the resources available and taking a little longer with patient
care outweighs making a mistake with the care we are providing to our patient.
Standard 16: Environmental Health
Environmental health is defined as the registered nurse practices in an environmentally
safe and healthy manner (ANA, 2010, p. 61). Two competencies for this standard include
participating in strategies to promote a healthy community and assessing the practice
environment for odor, sound, noise, and light that threaten health. This standard is what I
expected; I believe having a healthy healing environment and community is important.
Knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to achieve this standard include being considerate of the
patients requests, determined to provide the best patient care, and devoted to having a healthier
community. I had the opportunity to promote environmental health in both the community and

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hospital setting. During my public health rotation in Oceana County I assisted with at a flu clinic
the health department was facilitating at a local church. The clinic was promoting a healthier
community by flu shots and education about the flu. Seeing the high number of individuals that
came to the clinic was very encouraging. The second way I have met this standard was while in
my clinical setting. I believe that it is important that the patient I am caring for has a healthy
healing environment by making sure there is minimal noise, lights are at a setting acceptable to
patient, and no odor is present. Changing the trash bag, closing the shades, or attending to a
beeping IV pump is just a few ways to better a patient environment. Patients deserve to have a
healthy healing environment and I do my best to ensure my patients have that. My goal is to
incorporate this standard into my nursing career by participating in community health programs
such as flu clinics and also always being aware of my patients healing environment.
Goals
As a nurse all these standards are important to maintain throughout my nursing career.
The Nursing Standards of Practice were created to guide nursing practices. I have created goals
to maintain these standards in my nursing career by always remembering the importance of
preserving and protecting patients values, rights, and beliefs. I am going to continue to work on
the suggestions made through the evaluation process while at clinical. Which includes working
on confidence and medication competency. As a nurse I want to maintain collaboration,
leadership in the workplace, and utilize workplace resources. Also as a nurse I want to continue
my education even after getting a job, providing patient care with evidence based research, and
make quality of practice a high priority.

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Conclusion

The ANA has 16 standards that were created to guide nursing practices. I have gone
through standards seven through sixteen and reflected on examples of how I have met each of the
standards. Using the LEARN steps I described how I meet each standard and created goals to
maintain the standard. As a nurse I would like to become part of an organization that values
many of these standards. These standards are important in providing excellent patient care.

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References

American Nurses Association.(2010).Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice. Silver Spring,

MD.