Accountability as a nurse involves giving priority to patients’ interests and displaying competence in all professional actions. Every task that a nurse undertakes professionally needs to be justified as a sensible action. Consequently, in every task they undertake, nurses should know why they are performing it, and they should have been thoroughly taught and evaluated as being proficient in that task. Additionally, the nurse should perform that task with the aim of taking care of the patient (Krautscheid, 2014). A practicing nurse is accountable for his or her actions despite working under the direction of a registered staff member. Similarly, a nursing management team does not participate in decisions related to nursing practice; however, the team coordinates integrates and facilitates nursing processes to assist the practitioner. Accountability of nurses to the patient, employer, and their profession is not externally controlled because it is mainly self-driven (Krautscheid, 2014).
The most important accountability that a nurse has is to the patients. Nurses have a duty of taking care of patients, which should be executed, with the highest level of professionalism. Patients place their care on nurses’ hands because they believe that the nurses have the necessary skills, knowledge, and training linked to nursing (Krautscheid, 2014). Any omission by the nurse—failing to do what a nurse is expected to do—may cause harm to the patient and incur liabilities (Luhanga, Myrick, & Yonge, 2010). Consequently, nurses are legally accountable to patients for any omissions that end up harming them or any mistakes they make. Similarly, patients that fall victim to nurses’ omissions and errors can use the civil law to pursue the case. However, the case can be heard in the criminal courts if the patient dies due to omission or errors. Therefore, nurses should be accountable to appreciate the level of their competency and work within those confines. Nurses should equally be ready to suffer consequences because no one can answer on their behalf. Moreover, anyone not involved in the negligent action is never responsible for it (Kurtzman, 2010).
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Another accountability that nurses have is to their employers. As employees, nurses must perform their duties as outlined in the employment contract (Krautscheid, 2014). The nurses must understand their terms of employment and operate within those terms. Every nurse should understand that their employers must not tell them to engage in illegal or unsafe practices. Nurses are accountable to their employers for effectively performing their duties. However, those who do not perform their duties are liable for disciplinary actions. Nurses should ensure that they take the initiative to know the procedures and policies guiding their scope of employment (Luhanga, Myrick, & Yonge, 2010). The nurses should equally work within their employment scope and update themselves to any necessary changes. Similarly, nurses must appreciate the fact their employers cannot discipline them for failure to take part in illegal or unsafe practices (Kurtzman, 2010). Additionally, nurses should understand that their employers would be liable if they make negligent actions within the scope of work.
Nurses are also accountable to observe the principles of their profession. These principles may be found in the nursing Act or the regulations in the Act depending on the county in question (Krautscheid, 2014). These are the accepted principles of the nursing practice in the respective county that a nurse is stationed. Nurses should follow the standards set in the county, and they should operate within the scope of those standards. Any nursing staff that fails to observe the set standards of their licensing body may be liable for disciplinary actions (Luhanga, Myrick, & Yonge, 2010). Every practicing nurse should regularly update themselves with the current principles of practice in their workstations. Nurses should also take the responsibility of asking their licensing body to clarify any unclear aspect of their scope of practice (Kurtzman, 2010).
Every nurse should be accountable to his or her patients, employer, and profession. The patients are the most important accountability that a nurse has. Patients trust their lives with nurses because they believe the nurses are qualified professionals (Luhanga, Myrick, & Yonge, 2010). Nurses should be accountable to their patients and accord them the competence they require to avoid liabilities. Nurses should also be accountable to their employers by working within their scope of the agreement. Similarly, the employers should not convince nurses to engage in unsafe or illegal practices (Krautscheid, 2014). Nurses should also be accountable to their profession. Every nurse should work according to the set standards in their respective workstations. Nurses can observe these accountabilities without any external supervisions because the consequences mostly affect them individually.
References
Krautscheid, L. C. (2014). Defining professional nursing accountability: a literature review. Journal of Professional Nursing , 30 (1), 43-47.
Kurtzman, E. T. (2010). A transparency and accountability framework for high-value inpatient nursing care. Nursing Economics , 28 (5), 295.
Luhanga, F., Myrick, F., & Yonge, O. (2010). The preceptorship experience: an examination of ethical and accountability issues. Journal of Professional Nursing , 26 (5), 264-271.
