NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion

ByDaniel Rossi Updated on

NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Discussion Instructions

Purpose

Discuss potential complications in a clinical scenario at an outpatient family practice. Students will explore potential effects on patient outcomes and implications for members of the health care team as a result of conflict among the healthcare team.  Students will develop strategies that result in the prevention of untoward outcomes that result in a positive practice culture. Have a look at NR506 Week 6 Scope of Practice and Patient’s Healthcare Accessibility Discussion.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to: 

  • Recognize potential areas of conflict in NP clinical practice (CO1) 
  • Determine methods of data collection to assess the conflict (CO3) 
  • Examine corporate compliance and its effect on clinical practice (CO2) 
  • Understand risk management in clinical practice (CO4) 

Due Date: Wednesday by 11:59 PM MST of Week 5

Initial responses to the discussion topic must be posted by Wednesday 11:59 pm MT. Two additional posts to peers and/or faculty are due by Sunday at 11:59 pm MT.  Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due.

 A 10% late penalty will be imposed for discussions posted after the deadline on Wednesday of week 5, regardless of the number of days late. NOTHING will be accepted after 11:59 pm MT on Sunday (i.e. student will receive an automatic 0). 

Total Points Possible: 100

Preparing the Discussion

You are a family nurse practitioner working in an outpatient primary care office of a large hospital system. The practice has been operating for over 15 years, and many of the administrative and clinical staff were hired when the practice opened. You have been in the practice for less than 3 months. In that short amount of time, you have witnessed several of the clinical staff engaging in heated arguments with each other, sometimes in patient areas. You overhear an argument occurring today between two staff. You pick up a patient’s chart and notice a very low blood pressure that the medical assistant failed to notify you about. When you confront the MA, she states that she was going to report the vital signs to you when she became engaged in the heated argument you overheard and forgot to notify you. 

Unfortunately, this pattern of behavior is not unusual in this practice. Working with staff who cannot cooperate effectively can negatively influence your ability to spend time with patients, can impede the flow of patients through the office, and could impact patient safety. 

Case Study Responses: 

  1. Analyze the case study for potential issues for members of the healthcare team from office conflict. Contrast the potential effects for each member of the healthcare team based on the required readings from the week. Discuss the potential ethical and legal implications for each of the following practice members: 
    1. Medical assistant
    1. Nurse Practitioner
    1. Medical Director
    1. Practice
  2. What strategies would you implement to prevent further episodes of potentially dangerous patient outcomes? 
  3. What leadership qualities would you apply to effect positive change in the practice? Focus on the culture of the practice.
  4. A scholarly resource must be used for EACH discussion question each week.

NR506 Week 5 Ethical and Legal Implications Example

Ethical and Legal Implications

In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, the quality of patient care is heavily dependent on the collaborative efforts of the healthcare team. This case study examines a scenario in an outpatient primary care office where longstanding interpersonal conflicts among clinical staff have escalated to the point where they negatively impact patient safety and the overall functioning of the practice.

As a newly onboarded Family Nurse Practitioner in this environment, observing the heated arguments and their direct impact on patient care is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. This analysis will examine the complex impacts of conflicts within healthcare teams on different team members while considering the ethical and legal aspects of their roles and discuss strategies to prevent future disruptions in patient care caused by internal discord, as well as the essential leadership qualities required to initiate positive change and promote a healthier organizational culture.

Potential Issues and Implications

It is not uncommon for nurse practitioners to encounter obstacles when providing top-notch care to patients. One of the leading causes of such hindrances is conflicts among staff members, which may lead to grave medical errors or oversights. In addition, it may pose ethical concerns for the nurse practitioner, especially if they are aware of how the conflict negatively affects patient care but choose not to address it. This stance puts their obligation to advocate for the patient at risk. Worst still, if this impasse leads to unfavorable patient outcomes, the nurse practitioner may face legal repercussions for failing to resolve or mitigate the conflict.

The medical director could have faced difficulty maintaining a cohesive and effective team, which could have ultimately affected the overall practice efficiency and patient outcomes. If the medical director was aware of ongoing conflicts but failed to take appropriate measures to address them, it could have compromised the overall quality of care and raised ethical concerns. Failure to address such workplace conflicts could have led to legal implications for the medical director, especially if it contributed to a breakdown in patient care processes.

Workplace conflicts within the practice could have led to decreased patient satisfaction, increased staff turnover, and potential legal actions due to compromised patient care (Cullati et al., 2019). The practice was responsible for providing a safe and effective care environment for patients, and any ethical concerns revolving around the responsibility could have arisen if conflicts remained unaddressed (Preston-Suni et al., 2021). Failure to address and mitigate conflicts could have resulted in legal consequences for the practice, including malpractice claims and other liabilities.

Preventing Future Episodes

Clear communication and teamwork are essential for any organization to function effectively. To achieve this, staff members must undergo training in conflict resolution. Communication protocols should be established and reinforced to ensure vital information is communicated promptly and efficiently. Regular team meetings should be scheduled to address any concerns, promote open communication, and foster a collaborative environment (Aitamaa et al., 2019). Furthermore, a reporting system should be established to allow for the reporting of any conflicts or concerns, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly and appropriately.

Leadership Qualities

Leaders who aspire to drive positive change must possess certain qualities that enable them to inspire and motivate their team members. Effective communication is one of the most essential qualities that a leader must possess. By communicating transparently and clearly, a leader can address the concerns and expectations of their team members, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Conflict resolution skills are another essential quality that leaders must have (Alshehry, 2022).

The ability to mediate and resolve conflicts can help create a positive work environment where team members feel heard and supported. This, in turn, can lead to greater productivity and job satisfaction. Finally, empathy and understanding are also critical qualities for a leader to possess. A leader who understands and appreciates the perspectives and challenges of each team member can create a supportive and inclusive work environment. By fostering a culture of empathy and understanding, a leader can ensure that everyone feels valued and respected, leading to greater collaboration and teamwork.

Conclusion

Conflicts among staff in a primary care office of a hospital system are affecting patient safety and practice functionality. As a new Family Nurse Practitioner, I have observed communication and teamwork breakdowns that pose significant care challenges. This analysis explores the implications, proposes prevention strategies, and highlights leadership qualities necessary for positive change and a patient-centered culture.

References

Aitamaa, E., Suhonen, R., Puukka, P., & Leino-Kilpi, H. (2019). Ethical problems in nursing management – a cross-sectional survey about solving problems. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 417. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4245-4

Alshehry, A. S. (2022). Nurse-patient/relatives conflict and patient safety competence among nurses. Inquiry: A Journal of Medical Care Organization, Provision and Financing, 59, 469580221093186. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580221093186

Cullati, S., Bochatay, N., Maître, F., Laroche, T., Muller-Juge, V., Blondon, K. S., Junod Perron, N., Bajwa, N. M., Viet Vu, N., Kim, S., Savoldelli, G. L., Hudelson, P., Chopard, P., & Nendaz, M. R. (2019). When team conflicts threaten the quality of care: A study of Health Care professionals’ experiences and perceptions. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 3(1), 43–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2018.11.003

Preston-Suni, K., Celedon, M. A., & Cordasco, K. M. (2021). Patient safety and ethical implications of health care sick leave policies in the pandemic era. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 47(10), 673–676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2021.06.009