Date of Learning: 05/05/23
Time: 09:30-16:30
Learning Activity 1: The Role of Effective Communication
In this learning activity we discussed the importance of effective communication in nursing care. Communication is exchanges of message or information by using different communication methods. Effective communication can both benefit the patient and the staff as it improves quality of care and service. In the class we also discussed how vital communication is during and after the nursing associate apprenticeship.
The 6C’s and NMC the code indicates the importance of communication for both service users and staff. Being compassionate and by communicating using range of communication methods and considering cultural sensitivities are essential when delivering care. It also gives positive effect on health outcomes for patients as they can participate in decision making. (The 6Cs, 2017 & NMC, 2018) In order to fully understand communication, the class looked at two basic communication models which are Transmission Model of Communication (Shannon & Weaver,1949) and Transactional Model of Communication. (Barnlund,1970) The transmission model of communication uses five components in which the message or information is transferred by information source the sender, encoder is where the message is transmitted, channel, decoder and destination the receiver. (Shannon & Weaver,1949) The transactional model of communication is a circular process which is a continuous loop between the sender and receiver. It is more of understanding information in a shared context rather than transmitting a message to one person. (Barnlund,1970) In terms of nursing care, using the transactional model of communication allows staff to create or build professional relationship as it reduces miscommunication.
There are different factors and barriers that affects communication but there are also different skills to use when barriers occur. Skills such as verbal, non-verbal and listening skills is used to transmit information. In this class, I learned more in depth what effective communication is. The topic covered importance of communication on daily basis, during and after my nursing associate apprenticeship. Verbal, non-verbal and being an active listener are skills I want to enhance further so that it can give a positive effect to my service users. By learning different skills and learning more in depth in effective communication allows me and others to understand accurately and decreases misunderstanding.
References:
- Nursing & Midwifery Council. (2018). The code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. http://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/nmc-publications/revised-new-nmc-code.pdf
- National Health Services UK. (2017) The 6C’s. https://www.england.nhs.uk/6cs/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2015/03/introducing-the-6cs.pdf
- Transmission Model of Communication (Shannon & Weaver,1949)
- Transactional Model of Communication (Barnlund, 1970
Learning Activity 2: Ethical and Legal Considerations for Nursing Associates
Understanding about ethical and legal considerations for nursing associates are another topic covered today. In the class we also discussed the learning outcomes of the session which are principles of accountability, responsibilities and implications of negligence, concepts of consents, capacity and confidentiality in relevance to nursing associates.
There are four components in ethical principles which are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. These ethical principles are moral ethics that are implicated for nursing associates professionals to promote high levels of care. It simply means autonomy is about giving choices to individuals, beneficence is to do good, non-maleficence is to not harm and justice is treating individual fairly and equal. In relation with ethical principles, we looked at our accountability and responsibility as nursing associates.
In the class we looked at some examples of conscientious objections. These objections allow nursing professionals to express their reasons on not participating in a particular procedure. Nursing associates must be accountable and responsible to let others know when they cannot participate on a particular procedure as they are covered with legal consideration. To be accountable means I am required or expected to provide a reasonable explanation on my behaviour, actions and decisions. I also must accept responsibilities for patients and care I provide. (Cornock, M. 2011) Also, to be responsible and competent when doing the task such as attending to trainings or study days.
Another topic we addressed was negligence, professional misconduct, consent and confidentiality. When the care provided fails to meet the standard level and results a patient or individual suffer both physically and mentally is negligence. If the professional is found guilty of misconduct removal from the register, suspension or referral must be in place. Consent is another legal and ethical principle which must be always obtained specially when patient is receiving care. The patient has the right to give a valid consent before starting procedures or treatments. A person lacks capacity means they are unable to decide at that certain time. (Simpson,O. 2011)
Confidentiality is about respecting individuals right to privacy. This means disclosure of information must be kept private and restricted unless permitted by the individual. An exemption of confidential would be if the patient may be at risk of harm. As a nursing associate I have a duty of confidentiality to those who are receiving my care. The information should be shared appropriately and to others that are involved with providing care. (NMC, 2018)
References:
- NMC (2018) The Code: Professional standards of practice and behavior for nurses, midwives and nursing associates
- Cornock, M. (2011) ‘Legal definitions of responsibility, accountability and liability’, Nursing Children and Young People, 23(3): 25–6.
- Simpson, O. (2011) ‘Consent and assessment of capacity to decide or refuse treatment’, British Journal of Nursing, 20(8): 510–13.
KSB Addressed:
Knowledge
| K1 | Understand the code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (NMC 2018), and how to fulfill all registration requirements |
| K2 | Understand the demands of professional practice and demonstrate how to recognise signs of vulnerability in themselves or their colleagues and the action required to minimise risks to health |
| K3 | Understand the professional responsibility to adopt a healthy lifestyle to maintain the level of personal fitness and well-being required to meet people’s needs for mental and physical care |
| K4 | Understand the principles of research and how research findings are used to inform evidence-based practice |
| K5 | Understand the meaning of resilience and emotional intelligence, and their influence on an individual’s ability to provide care |
| K6 | Understand and apply relevant legal, regulatory and governance requirements, policies, and ethical frameworks, including any mandatory reporting duties, to all areas of practice |
| K7 | Understand the importance of courage and transparency and apply the Duty of Candour |
| K8 | Understand how discriminatory behaviour is exhibited |
| K9 | Understand the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people |
| K10 | Understand the principles of epidemiology, demography, and genomics and how these may influence health and well-being outcomes |
| K11 | Understand the factors that may lead to inequalities in health outcomes |
| K12 | Understand the importance of early years and childhood experiences and the possible impact on life choices, mental, physical and behavioural health and well-being |
| K13 | Understand the contribution of social influences, health literacy, individual circumstances, behaviours and lifestyle choices to mental, physical and behavioural health outcomes |
| K14 | Understand the importance of health screening |
| K15 | Understand human development from conception to death, to enable delivery of person-centred safe and effective care |
| K16 | Understand body systems and homeostasis, human anatomy and physiology, biology, genomics, pharmacology, social and behavioural sciences as applied to delivery of care |
| K17 | Understand commonly encountered mental, physical, behavioural and cognitive health conditions as applied to delivery of care |
| K18 | Understand and apply the principles and processes for making reasonable adjustments |
| K19 | Know how and when to escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice |
| K20 | Know how people’s needs for safety, dignity, privacy, comfort and sleep can be met |
| K21 | Understand co-morbidities and the demands of meeting people’s holistic needs when prioritising care |
| K22 | Know how to meet people’s needs related to nutrition, hydration and bladder and bowel health |
| K23 | Know how to meet people’s needs related to mobility, hygiene, oral care, wound care and skin integrity |
| K24 | Know how to support people with commonly encountered symptoms including anxiety, confusion, discomfort and pain |
| K25 | Know how to deliver sensitive and compassionate end of life care to support people to plan for their end of life |
| K26 | Understand where and how to seek guidance and support from others to ensure that the best interests of those receiving care are upheld |
| K30 | Understand the principles of health and safety legislation and regulations and maintain safe work and care environments |
| K33 | Understand when to seek appropriate advice to manage a risk and avoid compromising quality of care and health outcomes |
| K34 | Know and understand strategies to develop resilience in self and know how to seek support to help deal with uncertain situations |
| K35 | Understand own role and the roles of all other staff at different levels of experience and seniority in the event of a major incident |
| K36 | Understand the roles of the different providers of health and care |
| K37 | Understand the challenges of providing safe nursing care for people with complex co-morbidities and complex care needs |
| K38 | Understand the complexities of providing mental, cognitive, behavioural and physical care needs across a wide range of integrated care settings |
| K39 | Understand the principles and processes involved in supporting people and families with a range of care needs to maintain optimal independence and avoid unnecessary interventions and disruptions to their lives |
| K40 | Understand own role and contribution when involved in the care of a person who is undergoing discharge or a transition of care between professionals, settings or services |
| K41 | Know the roles, responsibilities and scope of practice of different members of the nursing and interdisciplinary team, and own role within it |
| K42 | Understand and apply the principles of human factors and environmental factors when working in teams |
| K43 | Understand the influence of policy and political drivers that impact health and care provision |
Skills
| S1 | Act in accordance with the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (NMC, 2018), and fulfil all registration requirements |
| S2 | Keep complete, clear, accurate and timely records |
| S3 | Recognise and report any factors that may adversely impact safe and effective care provision |
| S4 | Take responsibility for continuous self-reflection, seeking and responding to support and feedback to develop professional knowledge and skills |
| S5 | Safely demonstrate evidence-based practice in all skills and procedures required for entry to the register: Standards of proficiency for nursing associates Annex A & B (NMC 2018) |
| S6 | Act as an ambassador for their profession and promote public confidence in health and care services |
| S7 | Communicate effectively using a range of skills and strategies with colleagues and people at all stages of life and with a range of mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health challenges |
| S8 | Recognise signs of vulnerability in self or colleagues and the action required to minimise risks to health |
| S9 | Develop, manage and maintain appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers and colleagues |
| S10 | Provide, promote, and where appropriate advocate for, non-discriminatory, person-centred and sensitive care at all times, reflecting on people’s values and beliefs, diverse backgrounds, cultural characteristics, language requirements, needs and preferences, taking account of any need for adjustments |
| S11 | Report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes |
| S12 | Challenge or report discriminatory behaviour |
| S13 | Apply the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people |
| S14 | Promote preventive health behaviours and provide information to support people to make informed choices to improve their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing |
| S15 | Identify people who are eligible for health screening |
| S16 | Promote health and prevent ill health by understanding the evidence base for immunisation, vaccination and herd immunity |
| S17 | Protect health through understanding and applying the principles of infection prevention and control, including communicable disease surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship and resistance |
| S18 | Apply knowledge, communication and relationship management skills required to provide people, families and carers with accurate information that meets their needs before, during and after a range of interventions |
| S19 | Recognise when capacity has changed recognise and how a person’s capacity affects their ability to make decisions about their own care and to give or withhold consent |
| S20 | Recognise people at risk of abuse, self-harm and/or suicidal ideation and the situations that may put them and others at risk |
| S21 | Monitor the effectiveness of care in partnership with people, families and carers, documenting progress and reporting outcomes |
| S22 | Take personal responsibility to ensure that relevant information is shared according to local policy and appropriate immediate action is taken to provide adequate safeguarding and that concerns are escalated |
| S23 | Work in partnership with people, to encourage shared decision making, in order to support individuals, their families and carers to manage their own care when appropriate |
| S24 | Perform a range of nursing procedures and manage devices, to meet people’s need for safe, effective and person-centred care |
| S25 | Meet people’s needs for safety, dignity, privacy, comfort and sleep |
| S26 | Meet people’s needs related to nutrition, hydration and bladder and bowel health |
| S27 | Meet people’s needs related to mobility, hygiene, oral care, wound care and skin integrity |
| S28 | Support people with commonly encountered symptoms including anxiety, confusion, discomfort and pain |
| S29 | Give information and support to people who are dying, their families and the bereaved and provide care to the deceased |
| S30 | Recognise when a person’s condition has improved or deteriorated by undertaking health monitoring, interpreting, promptly responding, sharing findings and escalating as needed |
| S31 | Act in line with any end of life decisions and orders, organ and tissue donation protocols, infection protocols, advanced planning decisions, living wills and lasting powers of attorney for health |
| S32 | Work collaboratively and in partnership with professionals from different agencies in interdisciplinary teams |
| S33 | Maintain safe work and care environments |
| S34 | Act in line with local and national organisational frameworks, legislation and regulations to report risks, and implement actions as instructed, following up and escalating as required |
| S35 | Accurately undertake risk assessments, using contemporary assessment tools |
| S36 | Respond to and escalate potential hazards that may affect the safety of people |
| S37 | Participate in data collection to support audit activity, and contribute to the implementation of quality improvement strategies |
| S38 | Prioritise and manage own workload, and recognise where elements of care can safely be delegated to other colleagues, carers and family members |
| S39 | Recognise when people need help to facilitate equitable access to care, support and escalate concerns appropriately |
| S40 | Support and motivate other members of the care team and interact confidently with them |
| S41 | Monitor and review the quality of care delivered, providing challenge and constructive feedback when an aspect of care has been delegated to others |
| S42 | Support, supervise and act as a role model to nursing associate students, health care support workers and those new to care roles, review the quality of the care they provide, promoting reflection and providing constructive feedback |
| S43 | Contribute to team reflection activities to promote improvements in practice and services |
| S44 | Access, input, and apply information and data using a range of methods including digital technologies, and share appropriately within interdisciplinary teams |
Behaviour
| B1 | Treat people with dignity, respecting individual’s diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy and preferences |
| B2 | Show respect and empathy for those you work with, have the courage to challenge areas of concern and work to evidence based best practice |
| B3 | Be adaptable, reliable and consistent, show discretion, resilience and self-awareness |