Introduction
From time immemorial, the work of a nurse has been considered one of the most important professions for society. This profession is massive, consistently in demand, and has many advantages. However, to become a professional, a nurse must have the necessary knowledge and skills to determine a patient’s illness and treatment approaches. Thus, for example, the cure of COVID-19 requires unique methods and strategies. The critical aspects that the author will discuss in this paper are the patient and COVID-19 disease, as well as various actions, measures, policies, and strategies in eliminating the infectious disease concerning the particular patient.
The Assessment: The Patient and the Problem
Coronavirus disease is one of the urgent and significant health problems relevant to registered nursing practice. Coronavirus is a new and still little-studied respiratory disease that caused a pandemic all over the globe. Such illness is often characterized by severe pneumonia, lymphopenia, and general exhaustion of the human body (Cao, 2020). Indeed, today there are several ways to treat COVID-19, for example, through antiviral drugs and nucleotide remdesivir (Cao, 2020). Unfortunately, these strategies are not as effective as possible in terms of a complete cure for both the disease itself and the subsequent complications that it causes.
The patient to work with during the practicum is the older woman who has coronavirus’s main signs and symptoms. The information that confirms the presence of the ailment is a positive test result for coronavirus. The patient has a fever, cough, loss of sense of smell, and taste sensations. Moreover, the woman reports rapid fatigue, general weakness, and headaches. Undoubtedly, these facts and details are significant and relevant for the patient and the nurse because they allow medics to create and adjust strategies for the treatment and prevention of the disease. This problem is directly related to the practice of a nurse since a specialist is obliged to examine and provide all possible assistance, support and care to people with a coronavirus infection. Hence, the work of a nurse is vital in the fight against universal and global trouble.
Analyzing Evidence
As a rule, the reliability or unreliability of data can be found by evaluating the study’s validity, the category of used methods, and additional references. For example, the information unreliability may be determined by the instability of psychological reality, mediated by the subjective world of a person, the equivocation of the methodological procedures. According to Joo and Liu (2021), there are five main barriers to solving the problem in the literature. They include the complexity of methods and unpredictability of tasks, stress at work, concerns about family, insufficient support of nurses, as well as limited information about the COVID-19 (Joo & Liu, 2021). In addition, many different methods and means contribute to the speedy recovery of patients with coronavirus. For instance, Hurtig et al. (2020) state that the policy for introducing innovations for communication between patients and nurses has helped significantly improve treatment results. With the help of these technologies, the incidence of complications in patients was significantly lower than without using these technologies and policies.
The role of nurses in the healthcare system against the backdrop of a pandemic is extremely difficult to underestimate and overestimate. They are striving not only to implement some policies but also to redesign the future in medicine (Anders, 2021). However, despite the importance and significance of the profession, nurses’ voice remains less critical due to several obstacles (Anders, 2021). Although, nurses are one of the first to help people in urgent situations.
Nonetheless, in order to improve outcomes, disease prevention, and reduce hospital readmissions, nurses are trained and gain new knowledge about protecting people’s health. They actively participate in assessment and monitoring in the community, respond to unique circumstances and solve complex cases (Fawaz et al., 2020). Better and more effective policy development to improve some aspects is possible if nurses are given time and autonomy in building relationships with public and religious organizations (Purba AK, 2020). Unfortunately, the nurse’s role in creating some decisions to improve outcomes is not as significant as it could be. In addition, nursing theories talk about health education, isolation, and effective care for COVID-19, as well as focal, contextual, and residual stimuli (Almeida et al., 2020). Therefore, these actions may become a decisive basis in determining, directing, framing, and guiding actions during practicum.
Governmental Policies Considerations
One should note that government policies can affect the patient’s problem in the following way. As practice shows, the decisions of politicians are often associated with “curbing” the spread of COVID-19. For example, the authorities obliged citizens to use personal protective equipment in public places. Special measures have been taken in each state and region of the USA following local norms, rules, and standards. At the moment, masks and gloves are required in some places of America, and in some, these requirements have been abolished.
Moreover, US President Joe Biden has prepared and sent a plan to implement financial support for public health and assistance to people. President Donald Trump, in turn, has also directed resources to the creation and promotion of COVID-19 vaccines. The measures taken by America and other countries to coronavirus containment have shown effective results in preserving the great state and health of the nation (Chung, 2021). Monetary support from the government and the state “forced” people to self-isolation and work from home. These funds supported some medical institutions, speeding up the recovery process of infected people. People can rehabilitate themselves without fear of contracting a terrible disease again soon. Due to the comprehensive assistance from the government and the introduction of new policies, the patient can recover faster and has less risk of infection after treatment. The hospital has enough money to buy new equipment and medicines to treat a disease. The woman can make the vaccination developed by professionals for more safety.
According to the current literature, the role of nurses is to develop policies through motivation and encouragement. In order to improve the results of treatment and prevent new types of morbidity, the nursing staff is essential in making new decisions. Nurses communicate closely with patients, have direct influence from various policies, and play a key role in professional development (Hajizadeh et al., 2021). Following these facts, their role is highly appreciated, and their contribution to the formation of appropriate health policies is vital. In addition, in the context of the problem, the legislation has expanded the scope of opportunities in nursing practice â this is one of the critical and main influences. For example, nurses now have the right to develop and support specific measures to treat and meet the needs of citizens. Moreover, the State supports their work through a particular remuneration system through new policies and procedures.
Leadership Strategies
The following leadership strategies should be considered, applicable to the patient and the problem, and needed to enhance outcomes and care. According to Aquilia et al. (2020), one will best reveal the effectiveness of leadership and management strategies in nursing through making essential decisions, adapting to new situations, and ensuring the best quality of care. Furthermore, when solving the issue, the leadership should be in the role of a “peacemaker,” abandoning the rigid, traditional leadership system and bureaucratic processes (Akpan et al., 2021). Thus, in this leader’s role, showing care, honesty, fairness, kindness, and mercy, personnel willingly take the initiative and creative approach in solving difficult moments.
In order to eliminate the existing problem, it is necessary to adhere to a strategy of cooperation and communication based on collaboration through technology and virtual space. For example, the virtual collaboration between medical professionals in an organization will improve several aspects at once to provide the best care and support to the patient (Mitchell, 2021). They include constant and active social communication, technological support, flexibility, productivity and provide an organizational environment and the best management and leadership in the team. This can happen through various means of communication, such as computers or smartphones.
Furthermore, solving this issue will also require the implementation of a change management strategy focused primarily on the well-being and safety of employees. Thus, according to Kumar (2020), this aspect is above all and requires several solutions at once. They include employee training and support, compliance, the introduction of remote work, as well as the transformation of business models and working methods in an organization.
Core Elms Volunteer Experience Form
The patient I am going to work with is a 60-year-old woman from the US with the main signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and positive test results for infection. In the study, I want to learn and determine the essence and nature of the development and course of the COVID-19 from the point of view of a specific age category. I selected this patient according to criteria such as the presence of the specific disease and a particular age category, elderly people. I will try to present my ideas and thoughts about the problem that has arisen to the patient in a milder form, omitting the “frightening” details. I will try to convince the woman of the importance of the problem, talking about how research could help her and other people in the world.
The following skills will need to be applied in nursing and working with the patient. For example, from the point of view of leadership, I need determination, perseverance in achieving goals and objectives, the ability to take responsibility for the consequences, charisma, and the desire to learn. As part of the communication aspects, I should apply the ability to negotiate competently and adapt to the audience, monitor my speech and body language, and be a good and attentive listener. Furthermore, I will also need such change management skills as the ability to actively listen to the interlocutor, analyze and draw consistent conclusions, as well as think strategically. Potential problems that I may encounter are the patient’s unwillingness to make contact, lack of communication, lack of initiative, or, conversely, aggression. To overcome these barriers, I could use strategies such as creating a sense of the importance of the case, its urgency, and the need for rapid intervention.
Conclusions
In conclusion, COVID-19 in a patient is a relevant and significant problem in nursing practice. Modern and reliable literature says that there are several proven tactics and methods for eradicating the problem, although there are various obstacles to introducing new practices. Society is actively working to solve the global crisis, and government policy is doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the disease and help sick patients in hospitals. In addition, there are also several leadership strategies in nursing practice that a specialist should adhere to them.
References
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