The Effectiveness of the Present Nursing Process - Essay Example

Critiquing a Qualitative Research Problem and Purpose The research problem is the need to restructure the nursing process because of the gap between the nursing diagnosis and the documentation in the nursing process. There is therefore a need to efficiently implement a new structure. Thus, the research purpose is “to evaluate how the nursing process has been registered at a Brazilian teaching hospital”. Hypotheses and Research Questions The research objective was to analyze the effectiveness of the present nursing process and to ascertain whether the reconstruction and education of new nurses will improve the effectiveness of the nursing process. Literature Review Given the objective of the research, the literature review was right on target. The investigators began by conducting a review of the step by step process involved in the nursing process. Further, the review is current because the authors utilized material from 1967 to 2008-one year before the actual publication of the work. Hence, the review was indeed relevant to the current study in that the authors analyzed the research conducted on the present nursing process. They were able to obtain contradictory evidence for the success and failure of the nursing process. In fact the researchers were quite systematic in their analysis of the literature in that they identified several reasons for the apparent failure of the implementation of an effective nursing process. They concluded the review by making a solid recommendation based on their analysis of the literature. Theoretical or Conceptual Framework There was no obvious theoretical framework for this study. Although there was use of medical pathology in the research it did not appear to be an overriding concept throughout the article. Population The population consisted of 680 admissions records that occurred in November 2004. The sample was 10% of the 680 - 68 records. This sample was chosen firstly by the month because November preceded the institution’s training in nursing process. Subsequently, the names and medical records of patients were obtained from the Statistical and Medical Archive (SAME). These records were categorized into 6 group listings. The sample was then systematically chosen – a number was assigned to each medical record, every tenth record was taken from a random starting point. With the use of SAME the authors were able to place the selected sample within a care unit and thereby analyze the extent of the nursing process. Protection of Human Research Participants The researchers did not identify any means of protection of the identity of the nurses or the identity of the owners of the medical records. Nonetheless, the research was “approved by the Research Commission of the CAISM/Tocogynecology Department and the Ethics Board on Research” Further, the authors indicated that, “The ethical principles of the national legislation were satisfied.” One can only assume that all of the protection protocols were satisfied. Research Design This study was a descriptive and retrospective study. Hence, it utilized the quantitative paradigm. Statistical data was collected and analyzed in order to draw conclusions on specific data. Instruments and Strategies for Measurement Nursing records present in the medical records were used. In addition, a form was created specifically for this research. It included the patient’s information and the possible identification of the nurse. A checklist was included in this instrument. No information was provided in relation to the reliability and validity of the instruments. Data Collection Firstly, the investigators searched for the presence of nursing records within the medical records. In particular, they searched to see “whether the specific nursing forms” were present. The checklist on the specifically created form was then utilized to verify each phase of the nursing process. Data Analysis The authors used statistical analyses, utilizing Microsoft Office Excel 2003 spreadsheet to present and analyze the data. Given the design and research objective this data analysis was ideal for the research -“Descriptive data analysis was completed to determine the absolute and relative frequencies of the presence of the specific nursing form in the medical record”. The authors’ desired to analyze the effectiveness of the nursing process therefore this strategy of statistically analyzing the frequency in which the required steps were conducted in the nursing process held significant value. Interpretation of Results From data analysis, the researchers were able to identify the gaps in the nursing process. Hence, they were able to identify the specific areas in which the nursing process and its implementation could be improved. Discussion of Findings The investigators discovered that their hypothesis that the nursing process was not adequately conducted was true and although there was some level of the nursing process conducted the extent to which nurses recorded the patient’s information drastically changed from their initial registration to the time of their discharge from the hospital. Limitations Although the authors did not identify limitations it is certain that the sample size of 68 may not be 100% generalized to the total population. Implications Without a doubt the researchers identified the implications accurately. They revealed all dimensions of the analysis of the nursing process. The authors note “The current study showed that it can be difficult for nurses to develop and record the phases of the nursing process.” From this statement one can conclude that the researchers utilized all dimensions of the research in order to assist them in their endeavor to improve the nurses’ ability and willingness to accurately and precisely record the patients’ data .The recommendations given to improve the practice of nursing denotes the authors’ dedication to utilizing every aspect of the information gathered. Recommendations The researchers did not necessarily give legitimate recommendations for further research but they did supply several recommendations for the improvement of the nursing practice. Nonetheless, the authors gave sufficiently clear description which would allow any other researcher to either conduct the same research or to use a different sample. Several other researches that were highlighted in the literature review arrived at the same conclusions with this research. Research Utilization in Your Practice The authors concluded their work with three specific recommendations for the improvement of the nursing profession as such I would not hesitate to utilize these recommendations in order to improve my personal practice. In particular, the authors indicate that future researchers or members of the nursing profession ought to consider empowering “all members of the nursing staff to implement the nursing process more effectively”. The conclusions from this research would certainly cause administrators and nurses themselves to pay closer attention to how they implement and conduct the entire nursing process. A positive change in any one dimension of the nursing process will result in an improvement in total care given to patients’ and the effectiveness of nurses. Bibliography de Moraes Lopes, M. H., Higa, R., dos Reis, M.J., de Oliveira, N., Christóforo, F., Filomena M.(2010). Evaluation of the Nursing Process Used at a Brazilian Teaching Hospital. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 21(4), 116- 123; (2010). Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/nursing/docview/746769509/fulltextPDF/135FEF23BF26FAF83AA/18?accountid=14872 Read More