ESSAY PURPOSE
This essay will give you the opportunity to develop your understanding of how law, ethics and professional guidelines guide nursing practice. It will allow you to reflect on the values and characteristics of professionalism in the healthcare setting. Completing this essay will also further develop your academic and information literacy skills.
ESSAY QUESTION
Select one of the three discussion board scenarios.
THIS ONE (which is Case 1).
One of the students you are on placement with turns up for their shift and is obviously under the influence of alcohol.
As the witnessing nurse what is your immediate action?
What must you do following this?
Which sections of the Australian Registered Nurse Standards for Practice apply here and why?
What are the possible legal/ethical implications?
Identify the main issues inherent in the scenario and make appropriate recommendations to address these issues.
It is expected that your essay will address/contain the following information:
Your immediate and subsequent actions as the witnessing nurse (these actions need to be supported by literature)
An overview of the relevant sections of the Australian National Competency Standards that apply and why
The possible legal/ethical implications
The NUR 120 Learning Outcomes addressed by this assignment include:
On completion of this unit a student should be able to:
Writing
Critically reflect on the values and characteristics of professionalism that contribute to health care through collaboration, cooperation and therapeutic communication;
Articulate the key principles underlying ethical, legal and professional guidelines and codes that underpin the practice of registered nurses in Australia.
Demonstrate developing skills in academic and information literacy that provide a foundation for evidence based nursing.
Articulate and define the Nursing and Midwifery Board Aust Competency Standards, Codes of Ethics and Codes of Practice for the Registered Nurse.
Develop a critical and reflective approach to nursing practice.
Write in the third person; avoid personal pronouns such as ‘I’ and ‘you’.

Discuss the meaning of the following statement about the negative aspect of managed care: Healthcare is over-managed and under led. What can nursing leaders do to improve healthcare so that it is not over-managed and under led?
NO MORE THAN 400 WORDS
THE SCENARIO
As a nurse manager, you are faced with scheduling the staff for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays. The unit has no policy, and this scheduling has always been a nightmare that everyone has somehow lived through. There are 35 RNs and 10 UAPs (unlicensed assistive personnel). You expect a full census, and there is no option for closing beds.
THE QUESTION
How do you determine if it is a fair and equitable division of time off for all staff?