The ANA professional standards serve as a guide for nurses in the United States. This guide defines the obligations of the nurse. Further, it reflects the values and priorities, and provides direction and framework from which to evaluate the professional practice (ANA, n.d.). Some examples of professional performance standards include quality of care, performance appraisal, education, collegiality, ethics, collaboration, research and resource utilization (Breece, 2022).
When nursing judgment is called into question, the Standards of Professional Performance are used to determine if other nurses in a similar circumstance would act in the same way, based on education. As well, the standards protect the public and the nurse (Breece, 2022).
When comparing the ANA public health nursing standards, with the aforementioned, broad standards for nursing, there are similarities and differences. Though the nursing standards apply to all nurses, the public health nursing standard focuses on the public health nurse’s scope of practice.
Additionally, the ANA empowers nurses to practice at the full extent of their expertise (ANA, n.d.). The ANA goes on to state that the public health nurse’s responsibilities are ever developing as the needs of the public change (ANA, n.d.).
The public health nurse in California must be certified by the California board of registered nurses. The California public health nurse provides direct patient care and maintains public health such as promotion, prevention, screenings, for all ages (California Board of Registered Nurses, 2022). However, the title of public health nurse may not be used unless the nurse holds certification (California Board of Registered Nurses, 2022).
These standards are set up to both protect the nurse from litigation, and the public from harm. Therefore, it is important for nurses to be familiar with the standards so as to stay within the scope of practice.
The advanced public health nurse’s role is to remain unbiased in disseminating the most up-to-date information that is scientifically based. Thus, excelling in research, collaborating with stakeholders, and remaining a student of information is important. This type of nurse can shape community health, legislation, and public education; while evoking trust in the profession.
References
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). ANA Standards for Excellence. https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/standards/
American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Public Health Nursing. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/public-health-nursing/
Breece, H. (2022). Nursing standards, their history and significance. Medical Legal News. https://www.medical-legalnews.com/part-2-nursing-standards-their-history-and-significance/
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