Professional Transition

The case study highlights key areas in the decision-making capacity of the Registered Nurse in a ward environment. The Case Study is also available as a recording on the Assessment Tab under Assessment 1a on Study Desk Case Study You are working on a busy vascular surgical ward where you have completed 4 months of a six-month rotation during your graduate program as a Registered Nurse. Your Nurse Unit Manager approaches you and asks you to engage in a key quality activity in the ward. The Nurse Unit Manager is keen to increase awareness of the importance of professional accountability and the delegation of work between staff in the ward. The ward currently employs students as Assistants in Nursing (AINs), Enrolled Nurses (ENs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) in the skill mix. Each morning shift 3 RNs, 2 ENs and 3 Student AINs are rostered. The Nurse Unit Manager explains that critical decisions in aspects of care appear to be delayed or missed and she is worried that this is affecting patient care outcomes. She hands you several articles that she has found and asks you to review and analyse each and present the collective key findings back to her, and then your peers at the next staff meeting. She explains she feels you are up to the task and aware that your most recent graduation from University places you in a good position to complete the critical analysis. Specifically, your Nurse Unit Manager seeks a: – Critical evaluation of the role of the Registered Nurse relating to accountability and delegation as identified in the articles. – Summary of the key areas arising for the graduate RN, for experienced RNs, ENs, AINs and for patient outcomes. – Synopsis of key findings that could be considered by the team to improve their delegation and accountability in the clinical area. Guidelines / structure Your assessment is required to be developed in the style of an essay for submission. The essay is to contain the following sections: a. Introduction  –The introduction needs to provide the reader with an outline of the intended discussion based on a review of the provided articles. b. Critical Evaluation – This section is a critical evaluation of the role of the Registered Nurse relating to accountability and delegation. This section must provide a comprehensive analysis of the provided articles with a summary of the key areas arising for the graduate RN, for experienced RNs, ENs, care workers and for patient outcomes. The critical evaluation must be supported by the articles provided. c. Key Findings relating to the Graduate Nurse  – This section requires you to collate the information into a summary of key findings that specifically relates to improving delegation and accountability practices in the clinical area. The key outcomes must be relevant to all staff levels and for better patient outcomes. d. Essay Conclusion  – A summary of the main points and key findings is required in this section. In the conclusion you need to consider a conclusive summary of the key points raised.