Denise Kropaczek

14 Sept 2015
Professional Nursing Meeting Experience
Reflection
The professional meeting I attended was the Virginia Board of
Nursing Formal Hearings. The meeting took place on Monday,
September 14, 2015 at the Department of Health Professions in
Henrico, Virginia. The purpose of this professional meeting was hearing
the cases of licensed healthcare professionals who had been accused
of wrongdoing. The professionals attending the meeting would hear
each case and determine a course of action based on the evidence.
The agenda for the day covered the cases of six individuals who
were either registered nurses, registered medication aids, or licensed
practical nurses. Initially, I noticed the formal set-up of the conference
room and the professional appearance of those on the board. The room
was set up similar to a courtroom. There was a row of desks on one
side of the room, opposite where we sat as students, where the
presiding board member and the additional board members sat. Across
from them was the seat for the individual who presented each case,
and beside them was a place for the individual in question. The room
was kept very quiet at all times; each speaker had a microphone, but it
was still challenging to hear clearly at times. During the meeting, we
were required to stay seated, quiet, and attentive while each case was
presented. After all evidence was presented, we were required to leave
the room while they made their decision regarding the case in a closed
session.

Denise Kropaczek
14 Sept 2015
I thought that the information being discussed was interesting,
particularly as a nursing student. Each case was unique and some
brought up issues that I had not necessarily considered before. It was a
good learning experience in many ways: each case was an example of
what not to do, I saw new opportunities for growth as a nurse (serving
on a professional board), and I learned how our license to nurse is
really a privilege we must work to keep. I have not been involved in
similar meetings or discussions as a student nurse before. This was the
first professional meeting I have attended. It was much more formal
than other meetings I have been to in the hospital setting, as a patient
care tech.
The stresses I experienced as I responded to this new situation
included nervousness prior to each case because I did not know ahead
of time why each persons license was being questioned. For most of
the cases, after hearing the evidence, it was clear to me that the
individual had committed some wrong that was deserving of their
license being suspended. For one of the cases, I could actually relate to
a similar situation I had heard about from one of my coworkers, as the
individuals actions (which he later lied about). I felt that while the
person had done something wrong, it may not have warranted as
severe a punishment, had he not later falsified a job application
because of it.

Denise Kropaczek
14 Sept 2015
This professional meeting was unique because it was not hospital
based. If I were to serve in this capacity, it would not be as a
representative of my unit or hospital. The board members are actually
in positions appointed by the governor. I believe it is a good thing that
so many members must be present (six) and that the board members
are a mix of people with healthcare and non-healthcare experience. I
think this contributes to a more fair hearing.
Professional groups work collectively on issues that enhance
their work and their involvement in communities, ensure continued
learning and competence, and use political action to influence policy
makers to support the mission of the organization (363). When
people, of any profession, meet to discuss common goals, they can
unite and use their power or influence to make the changes they see
are necessary to better their profession. For nurses, joining a
professional organization can enable them to network with colleagues,
to pursue continuing education and certification opportunities, to stay
informed on professional issues, to develop leadership skills, to
influence health policy, and to work collectively for job security (363).
This networking, education, and sharing of information (particularly the
sharing of evidence-based practices) means that the nurses who are
part of these professional organizations will take what they learn back
to their workplace to improve their patient care and outcomes and to
educate their peers on these practices. As part of a healthcare system,

Denise Kropaczek
14 Sept 2015
professional nursing meetings improve healthcare practices for
everyone involved - patients will receive better care, nurses will learn
of more efficient, safe ways to provide care, and therefore the
healthcare system will see improvement in patient outcomes, costs,
and job satisfaction. Within a professional organization, professional
nursing meetings serve as a forum for members to share information
and work towards common goals.

Denise Kropaczek
14 Sept 2015
References
Chitty, K. K., & Black, B. P. (2011). Professional nursing: concepts &
challenges (Sixth ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders Elsevier.