Explain the functional differences between a regulatory agency, such as a board of nursing, and a professional nursing organization as it pertains to your professional nursing practice

A. Functional Differences
Regulatory agencies (e.g., State Board of Nursing) enforce legal standards, license nurses, and handle disciplinary actions to ensure public safety. They mandate compliance with laws and competencies. In contrast, professional organizations like the ANA advocate for nurses, provide continuing education, and shape policies to advance the profession. For example, the Board investigates malpractice, while the ANA offers ethical guidelines and career resources.

B. ANA Code of Ethics Provisions

1. Provision 1: Nurses practice with compassion and respect for dignity.
   Example: I honored a Jehovah’s Witness patient’s refusal of blood transfusions, providing alternative care while respecting their autonomy.
2. Provision 3: Nurses advocate for patient safety and rights.
   Example: I escalated concerns when a physician dismissed a patient’s postoperative pain, ensuring appropriate analgesic reassessment.

C. Professional Traits

1. Integrity: Transparency in errors.
2. Accountability: Owning decisions.
3. Confidentiality: Protecting patient data.
4. Collaboration: Valuing team input.
   Application: In interdisciplinary rounds, I share mistakes openly (integrity), adhere to my role (accountability), discuss cases discreetly (confidentiality), and integrate input from therapists and social workers (collaboration).

D. Nursing Theory
Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring emphasizes holistic care. I apply this by spending time understanding a patient’s fears about chemotherapy, fostering trust and emotional support, which enhances their coping.

E. Historical Figure
Florence Nightingale’s emphasis on sanitation reduced infections. Modern application: I rigorously adhere to hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness, directly lowering hospital-acquired infection rates.

F. Ethical Principles Scenario
A diabetic patient declined insulin (autonomy) but faced high amputation risk. I balanced nonmaleficence (avoiding harm from hyperglycemia) by educating on risks and offering oral alternatives (beneficence), respecting their choice while minimizing harm.

G. Personal Experiences

• Quality/Safety: Reporting a near-miss medication error reinforced vigilance and systemic checks.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Implementing hourly rounding reduced fall rates on my unit.
• Applied Leadership: As charge nurse, I resolved conflicts during staffing shortages, ensuring care continuity.
• Community Health: Volunteering at a shelter taught me to address social determinants, now integrated into patient assessments.

Each experience underscores proactive, patient-centered care and interprofessional collaboration, shaping my commitment to ethical, evidence-based nursing.