Sustaining professional practice: an overview of opportunities

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Advocacy

Background:

• The trend in surgical nursing over the past decade shows increased patient involvement in care and decision-making.
• The nursing process framework supports patient and family engagement and the exercise of individual rights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of increased patient involvement on surgical nursing practices.
• To examine how the nursing process facilitates patient rights and decision-making.
• To understand the implications of patient advocacy and rights movements for nurses' professional accountability.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on patient-centered care trends in surgical nursing.
• Analysis of the nursing process ideology in relation to patient rights.
• Discussion of the evolving role of nurses in response to patient advocacy.

Main Results:

• Patient-centered care and shared decision-making are increasingly integral to surgical nursing.
• The nursing process provides a structure for nurses to recognize and address unique patient needs.
• Patients' rights movements and charters have empowered patients to challenge treatment decisions.

Conclusions:

• The evolving landscape of surgical nursing prioritizes patient autonomy and rights.
• Nurses are increasingly challenged to examine standards of care and professional accountability in light of patient empowerment.
• A collaborative approach between nurses and patients enhances the quality of care and respects individual rights.