The Role of the American Nurses' Association in Maintaining Professional Accountability

Abstract

A professional association has been defined as a group of practitioners who organize to perform functions they cannot perform as separate individuals and to judge one another as professionally competent. History reveals that when a profession becomes clearly defined, the responsible practitioners form an association in order to establish standards of practice and enforce rules of conduct.

As the professional association for nurses, the American Nurses' Association is inextricably involved in the development of mechanisms that guarantee professional accountability. A standing priority of the association is to improve the quality of care provided to the public by such means as 1) setting a timetable for establishing qualifications for entry into nursing practice; 2) evolving a coherent credentialing system; 3) establishing systems to assure the profession's accountability for practice and for the delivery of services; and 4) providing for expansion, accessibility, and improvements in continuing education in nursing.

If nurses are to assume greater responsibility, the profession must be in a position to assure the public of quality nursing care. Since the public holds the profession (as a whole) accountable for the competence of its practitioners, the professional association has a responsibility to establish mechanisms by which to judge the competence of its practitioners and to evaluate the quality of care.     

Mismatch of school desks and chairs by ethnicity and grade level in middle school

The purpose of this article is to introduce the cross-disciplinary competency standards for work-related assessments, why they are needed and how they have been developed in New South Wales (NSW). Cross-disciplinary competency standards communicate the benchmarks for effective performance of work-related assessments. They outline what is expected of rehabilitation professionals, including the ability to apply and transfer competence across different conditions and workplace contexts. Outcomes in occupational rehabilitation are affected by the efficacy of the work-related assessments performed, which is dependent upon competent, clinical decision-making by rehabilitation professionals. However, in Australia, work-related assessment practice is not governed by universally accepted competency standards or by any competency-based training/education and assessment system. To enhance professional practice, WorkCover NSW has developed cross-disciplinary competency standards for work-related a ssessments. The competencies provide (i) quality standards for professional workplace training and development, (ii) benchmarks for assessing the competence of rehabilitation professionals, (iii) a framework for evidence-based practice, (iv) benchmarks for measuring service quality and (v) "real world" learning outcomes and assessment criteria for professional education programs.     

The History of College Health Nursing

Abstract

Almost from the beginning of formal college health programs in the second half of the 19th century, college health nurses were there to care for students in college and university settings. By the end of the 20th century, the role of college health nurses had evolved with the nursing field in general, but with enough unique features for the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center to recognize college health nursing as a professional subspecialty and administer the first College Health Nurse Certification examinations. In addition, new nurse practitioner programs provided practicing nurses with more independence, and their duties continued to expand beyond care of the sick to include health promotion, administrative, and teaching activities. As a result of these changes, college health nurses now play a larger role in the life of students and promoting a healthy campus community than ever before in the history of college health.     

The Campus Alberta Applied Psychology Counselling Initiative: Web-Based Delivery of a Graduate Professional Training Program

SUMMARY

The Campus Alberta Applied Psychology: Counselling Initiative is a collaboration between three universities in western Canada to offer a predominantly Web-based Master of Counselling program. This paper describes the basic structure of the program, the Web-based delivery system, communication tools employed, and the philosophical, pedagogical, programmatic, and administrative principles and concepts foundation to the development and implementation. Development of curricular content and learning processes have been driven by explicit examination of learner needs, a program-level competency matrix reflective of professional practice standards in the discipline of psychology, and deliberate and continuous formative evaluation and learner engagement in the process.     

Self-care: There’s a badge for that

ABSTRACT

Social work education has embraced a major shift towards competency based education. A core component of competency based education is that students must actually demonstrate competence. The ability to define terms or even to explain principles of effective social work practice is no longer sufficient. In this vein, social work educators are tasked with providing students a means of demonstrating an ability to practice necessary social work skills. Digital badges are a recent trend in higher education that can facilitate the shift towards competency based education. With this shift in mind, this paper outlines the requirements and benefits of a self-care badge. Students who completed the self-care badge completed readings on self-care, completed self-assessments and worksheets, developed written self-care plans, enacted the plans, monitored progress and completed a final report on the self-care practices. Overall, students described the benefits of the badge and the focus on actually practicing self-care rather than simply increasing their knowledge about self-care.     

'He's not my carer—he's my husband': Personal and policy constructions of care in mental health

This paper is based on empirical research into the skill needs of care managers and examines the legacy of care management and the effect that 'new managerialist' approaches have had on care management work. The concept of emotional labour is used in context and applied to the work of care managers where the ultimate aim is quality outcomes for users of services. The paper argues that recognising the validity of the concept of emotional labour in context relates to the need for a greater acknowledgement of the skills required by care managers. 'Soft skills' that involve improving own learning and performance through reflection, problem solving and working with others are the key skills required for complex care management work. A rationale is made for reconsidering competency approaches to training in favour of continuing professional development. A preferred approach is one that emphasises both the personal and professional aspects of learning and the social world of the learner.     

Cultural Competency and Achieving Styles in Clinical Social Work

Abstract

This paper attempts to build a cultural competency framework by reviewing the literature and laying a conceptual foundation for professional standards in clinical social work. It also explores the implications of cultural competency by relating some important factors to clinical decisions, alliance, and outcome in the mental health field. The pathways and directions of the relationships as well as the potential factors affecting cross-cultural clinical alliance are illuminated in a general model to guide hypothesis formulation in further research. Empirical data are presented on clinical social work practice with Asian American clients in light of a key factor in shaping cultural competency, i.e., clinicians' personal achieving styles. The findings suggest that such styles are culturally bound.     

Usability Study of a Distance Continuing Education Website for Human Service Professionals

ABSTRACT

A usability test of a distance continuing education website for human service professionals is discussed. The website's purpose was to help meet the continuing education needs of human service professionals in a largely rural Midwestern state. The purpose of the usability evaluation was to assess the website's ease of use, efficiency, and user satisfaction in a representative sample of human service professionals. Users completed eleven basic search tasks with the site and report their impressions of the information presented. In addition, performance data including success, time on task, and efficiency were gathered. Implications of user satisfaction and performance data highlight the importance of stakeholder's involvement in the early stages of website design.     

Access to Interprofessional Continuing Education in Integrated Care Through Digital Instructional Technology

ABSTRACT

In preparing the workforce for integrated care, continuing professional education serves a critical role. Within a rapidly changing health care landscape, matriculated students now benefit from pedagogical innovations supporting integrated care, particularly interprofessional education, and working professionals must not be excluded from this transformation. University-based digital instructional programs can support the learning needs of working professionals, providing an alternative and complement to brick-and-mortar classrooms and ad hoc onsite trainings. This paper describes the structure, content, digital approach, and outcomes of a continuing education program in integrated behavioral health and primary care, housed in a school of social work at a major university. The challenges of interprofessional digital education are described and future directions are suggested.     

Protecting Clients From Harm: The Role of Continuing Professional Education

Abstract

In the absence of professional regulation and in the context of a changing and competitive environment, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) encourages member commitment to self-regulation and continuing professional education (CPE). Continuing professional education is promoted as the platform upon which the credibility of the entire profession of social work and the maintenance of high-quality standards of practice rest. High practice standards are integral to the protection of vulnerable people from potential unethical, inappropriate and harmful practice. The present article asserts that Australia's changing and competitive environment, driven by prevailing ideologies and policies, has an impact on social work practice and is harmful to vulnerable clients. In order to protect vulnerable clients from harm and to maintain high standards of practice, the AASW's CPE programme arguably needs to include topics that enhance professional knowledge of current ideologies and policies and their impact on social work practice and clients.     

Strengths And Struggles: Overseas Qualified Social Workers' Experiences In Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

A growing number of professionals practise in a country other than the one where they obtained their professional qualification. A mixed-methods study explored the experiences of one group of such professionals, overseas-qualified social workers practicing in New Zealand. This article reports findings from four key informant group interviews and an online survey (N = 294), including this population's satisfaction with their employment, their introduction to local practice, and experiences of mistreatment and discrimination. The study highlights migrant social workers' desire for better access to information and induction opportunities to orient them to the local practice environment and notes their experience of discrimination in the workplace. Such findings require a thoughtful response from practitioners and professional bodies and is worthy of further research and discussion. We argue that migrant social workers in New Zealand require orientation activities tailored to meet their needs and a more welcoming system of recognition of the skills and experience they bring.     

Dimensions for argument and variability in child protection decision-making

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to analyse the arguments presented by 181 professionals in the child protection system of the Basque Country (Spain) to justify their decisions regarding the implementation of measures related to family preservation or separation. The implementation of a case vignette demonstrated variability in professional decision-making, with 62% of professionals choosing family preservation and 38% opting for family separation. A series of argument categories which can be used by most professionals when making decisions are extracted from analysis of the content. However, in spite of using similar types of arguments, the professionals differed in the importance they attributed to such criteria and their interpretations. Differences in decision thresholds were directly related to professionals’ beliefs regarding the benefits of the interventions analysed. To reduce this variability, reflecting on these beliefs and analysing the effectiveness of interventions in child protection to incorporate evidence of professional judgement are recommended. The present study, on the one hand, identifies the argument categories used to justify decisions and, on the other, analyses the existing variability when interpreting these categories.     

Consumer Participation: Case Study of the College Health Services Setting

Abstract

Nurses, functioning in expanded roles, have created uneasiness in some circles, particularly medicine. Will these new roles for nurses be competitive or collaborative? It is the thesis of the author that the nurse's new expanded role, which is fast becoming the norm, will be collaborative if there is 1) adequate understanding between the disciplines of nursing and medicine of their respective characteristics and range of activities, and if there is clarification of organizational, financial and certification issues; 2) adequate differentiation between the definitions of health and medical needs; 3) adequate attention and resources are given to prevention of disease and disability and promotion of health in a world dominated by medicine and episodic care; 4) organization and financing of health services that accommodate the utilization of nurses in expanded roles; 5) nurses who prepare themselves scientifically, humanistically, and politically for the type and kind of practitioner that society needs; and if 6) certification of individuals and accreditation of educational programs are controlled by the respective professional group.

However, if the expansion of nursing practice is not recognized, reimbursed, and rewarded appropriately, there will be interprofessional competition for patients or clients, for funds, and for political power.     

Educating Students for Community-Based Partnerships

ABSTRACT

Many courses for students in professional schools may expect or require a learning experience “in the community.” Simple placement in a community does not assure, however, that students will develop competencies from a community-based perspective, that is, competencies that enable professionals to: (1) enhance the capacity of community members to serve in partnership endeavors; (2) appreciate the role of participation by under-represented or under-served populations; and (3) develop skills for mobilizing community resources to address community-defined priorities. This article describes six domains-course goals, partners, exposure, product, classroom activities, disciplines-to characterize courses and other learning experiences, in order to assess the extent to which they promote community-based competencies.     

Cultural and ethical considerations in late-life polyvictimization

ABSTRACT

This article examines the cultural and ethical considerations for professionals working with older adults who experience polyvictimization. Drawing from the Department of Justice training program, Polyvictimization in Later Life (OVC/TTAC, 2017), topics include cultural competencies, ethical standards, personal and professional ethics, and ethical considerations when working in teams. Also described are specific suggestions and recommendations to ensure sensitive and ethical responses when working with cases involving polyvictimization.     

The psychiatric technician: trespasser or welcomed ally?

1. The increasing shortage of nurses, higher patient acuity levels, and greater demands placed on nursing to meet standards of care have contributed to the use of psychiatric technicians to alleviate the burden on nursing and ensure the delivery of quality patient care. 2. Psychiatric technicians provide care for a select group of patients under the supervision of the primary nurse. The patients assigned to psychiatric technicians require minimal direct nursing intervention. 3. Psychiatric technicians reported increased self-confidence and self-esteem; the nurses were able to perform more professional nursing activities, increasing their job satisfaction and promoting staff retention; and the patients received high-quality care.     

The Use of Religion and Spiritual Strategies in Rehabilitation

Abstract

Recently the helping professions have reopened the debate about utilizing religion or spirituality in both education and practice. In this study, in-depth interviews were completed to identify what, if any, strategies rehabilitation professionals had utilized in practice. Four major themes evolved from participants: (1) denial of having used strategies; (2) use of the concepts for their own benefit; (3) use of the concepts for client benefit; and (4) the use of multiple religious or spiritual strategies. Implications for professional and continuing education are addressed. Lastly, suggestions for future research are highlighted.     

Doing It Well

SUMMARY

Social workers are being challenged internationally to be accountable by defining competency standards at beginning and advanced levels. The study that is the subject of this article will develop the work of one of the authors, which involved a 5-year longitudinal study of beginning social workers and another of experienced social workers. These studies resulted in a book on professional expertise (Fook, Ryan, & Hawkins, 2000). The present study furthered that work and subjected this theory of professional expertise to further testing by examining the work of a sample of expert (rather than experienced) social workers in the mental health field in Melbourne, Australia. Data was collected from a selected sample of mental health social workers by the use of focus group interview. This article reports on the study's findings and discusses their significance and application.     

Ethical Issues in Child Custody and Dependency Cases

Abstract

The emotional and psychological risks to children of high conflict divorce have led to the increased involvement of mental health professionals in child custody cases. Numerous service models (Greenberg & Gould, 2001; Johnston, 2000; Johnston & Roseby, 1997) have been developed to assist divorcing families in minimizing family conflict and supporting children'S needs. This underscores the need for judges and attorneys to understand the ethical and professional standards that underlie competent mental health practice in forensic cases. The practices of mental health professionals providing court-related services may have a substantial impact on the validity of their professional opinions, the effectiveness of services provided to children and families, and children'S development and adjustment. The authors suggest core ethical and clinical issues to be considered by all psychologists who work in the context of custody disputes. It is hoped that these professional practice suggestions will also be useful to attorneys and judicial officers in assessing the quality of mental health professionals' opinions.     

Job demands,emotional dissonance and elderly abuse: The moderating role of organizational resources

ABSTRACT

The present study focuses on elderly abuse committed by caregivers in nursing homes. It aimed at a better understanding of neglect and abusive behaviors by considering the working context and the emotional dissonance of these professionals. To achieve this goal, direct effects of emotional dissonance, job demands (workload and emotional demands) and organizational resources (high-quality relationships with the colleagues and the supervisor) on neglect and abusive behaviors were analyzed. Moreover, the moderating role of organizational resources was explored. The study was conducted among 481 nurses and healthcare assistants from different French nursing homes. Overall, results contributed to the literature by pointing out the impact of emotional dissonance and caregivers’ working context on neglect and abusive behaviors. Moreover, results highlighted the moderating effect of high-quality relationships with the colleagues and the supervisor and give rise to potential implications in preventing elderly abuse in nursing homes.