2. 3. Choose of the issues raised by the graduate nurses described in the video. (Your choice is either scope of practice, skill mix or delegation). Justify your choice, by referring to your groups online discussions and selected literature. (Include a screen shot of the relevant discussions to reinforce your choice in an appendix). Explain how, if the issue is left unresolved, it could cause conflict in the workplace and impact on positive nursing teamwork.
The issue I have chosen to address is scope of practice. Scope of practice refers to the range of activities or procedures that a healthcare professional is legally allowed to perform. It encompasses the knowledge, skills, and abilities that an individual is trained and authorized to do within their respective profession. In this case, we are looking at the scope of practice of graduate nurses.
Scope of practice is a crucial issue for graduate nurses as they transition from being students to practicing professionals. It determines the level of autonomy and responsibility they have in their new roles. The video highlighted the concerns of graduate nurses who felt that their scope of practice was limited, and they were not given enough opportunities to utilize their full range of skills and knowledge.
The choice to focus on scope of practice is based on the discussions within my group and the literature we have reviewed. In our online discussions, several group members expressed their own experiences and concerns regarding scope of practice as graduate nurses. We talked about how graduate nurses often feel underutilized and frustrated because they have spent years in nursing school acquiring knowledge and skills, only to find that they are not able to apply them in their new roles. The literature we reviewed also highlighted the potential issues surrounding scope of practice for graduate nurses and the need for proper support and guidance during this transitional period.
If the issue of scope of practice is left unresolved, it can cause conflict in the workplace and impact on positive nursing teamwork. Firstly, it can lead to dissatisfaction among graduate nurses who feel that their skills and abilities are not being recognized or utilized. This can result in decreased motivation and job satisfaction, leading to a higher turnover rate among graduate nurses. High turnover rates can have a negative impact on nursing teamwork as it disrupts the stability of the nursing unit and hampers effective collaboration.
Furthermore, unresolved issues related to scope of practice can also lead to conflicts between graduate nurses and other healthcare professionals, such as senior nurses or physicians. If graduate nurses feel that they are being restricted from performing certain tasks or procedures that fall within their scope of practice, it can create tension and disagreement between team members. This can hinder effective communication and collaboration, leading to a breakdown in nursing teamwork.
In addition, unresolved issues surrounding scope of practice can also impact patient care. Graduate nurses who feel restricted in their scope of practice may hesitate to take necessary actions or make important decisions for fear of overstepping their boundaries. This can result in delays in care and potentially compromise patient safety. For example, a graduate nurse who is trained in wound care but is not allowed to perform certain procedures within their scope of practice may have to wait for a more experienced nurse or physician to attend to the patient, leading to increased risks of infection or complications.
In conclusion, the issue of scope of practice for graduate nurses is an important one that needs to be addressed. It impacts the autonomy, job satisfaction, teamwork, and ultimately, patient care. If left unresolved, it can lead to conflicts in the workplace and hinder effective collaboration and communication among team members. Proper support and guidance should be provided to graduate nurses to ensure that their scope of practice aligns with their level of training and education, allowing them to fully utilize their skills and contribute to positive nursing teamwork.