Civic Duty
Civic duty is defined by an individual or group activity that addresses public points of concern to illicit a change in policy or protect values (Google dictionary). Most people do not realize the significance of this duty when it comes to nursing. It is essential to meeting patient outcomes and keeping up with today’s ever-evolving world. As we advance further in technology, our wealth of knowledge increases and shows us where improvements can be made. For example, throughout my entire nursing career I have be taught to always assess for a shellfish allergy in patients who are going for diagnostic studies that utilize contrast dye such as CT scans. However, during my final senior semester a fellow student brought it to everyone’s attention that there was no correlation between having a shellfish allergy and having a reaction to the dye. Therefore, allergies in general need to be assessed instead of focusing solely on a shellfish allergy. This is a prime example of how our civic duty to enact change and educate the public is used in nursing. We do this in the nursing world by utilizing something called Evidenced Based Practice (EBP).
I was first exposed to EBP before I was accepted into upper division in Evolution of Nursing Science (NURS 212). During this course I wrote an Evidenced Based Research Paper. As a direct result of my experiences as a child with cancer, my research topic was on the treatment evolution of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). During my research I learned how over time the standards of care and treatment methods have changed for those with AML. (Read my WTC artifact below). This project was impactful to my learning because it showed how fellow healthcare providers fulfilled their civic duty by utilizing research and EBP to advocate for their patients.
I was first exposed to EBP before I was accepted into upper division in Evolution of Nursing Science (NURS 212). During this course I wrote an Evidenced Based Research Paper. As a direct result of my experiences as a child with cancer, my research topic was on the treatment evolution of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). During my research I learned how over time the standards of care and treatment methods have changed for those with AML. (Read my WTC artifact below). This project was impactful to my learning because it showed how fellow healthcare providers fulfilled their civic duty by utilizing research and EBP to advocate for their patients.
Once accepted into Upper division I took Evidenced Based Practice (NURS400), an entire course focused on the utilization of Evidenced Based Practice. During this course we delve deeper into how EBP isn’t always one sided and clear. Occasionally, there is more to it than just a simple development in technology or change in practice. There are areas and topics in nursing that are much more divisive. As part of NURS 400, we were tasked with holding a debate on a controversial topic. My group chose Physician Assisted Suicide and I was assigned on the team for Physician Assisted Suicide. To prep for the debate, we completed a literature search to find peer-reviewed articles defending our stance. We posted our initial opening statements discussing the common misconceptions of physician assisted suicide. Then came the rebuttal, refuting what the opposing side stated. Both sides of the debate were backed by evidenced based research but showed very differing opinions and statistics. This debate was very eye opening for me because Physician Assisted Suicide is a highly controversial topic that I might come into contact with as a future nurse. Through the course of this debate, I discovered the importance of utilizing Evidenced Based Practice in order to best support and provide care for my patients. I learned through researching the current evidence and best practice that there may not be a single answer for an ethical issue. (View the WTC Discussion Board below)
When it comes to updating hospital policies and procedures it can be a long and taxing time for all the staff. Most people do not respond to change well especially when everyone is used to always following the same steps every time. EBP encourages change in hospitals to provide better care for our patients. During my senior year final semester, I was working on the Labor and Delivery unit at MUSC Health Lancaster as a beyond the classroom learning experience. During this time, the facility’s Labor and Delivery unit was in the process of transitioning to become “Baby Friendly”. This initiative was started in 1991 and focuses on promotion of breast feeding and skin to skin contact. Mothers have always been encouraged to breastfeed their babies but not to the extent they are today. Of course, it is always the mother’s choice to give breast milk or formula, but now we know the abounding benefits of breastfeeding because of evidenced based practice and research. For my senior evidenced based project, I put together a powerpoint listing and discussing the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby.
MUSC Health Lancaster has a diverse patient population. As part of my civic duty, it is important that I provide education and care that reaches all populations that I serve. In addition to the bulletin board for Labor and Delivery Staff, I also created a flyer provided to patients detailing the benefits of breastfeeding and skin to skin contact in both Spanish and English (View my BTC flyer below). This ensures no patient is at a disadvantage when trying to understand what is best for their new loved one. Working to diminish unequal access to health resources as well as educating healthcare professionals and the public are ways that I am fulfilling my civic duty. I also fulfill my civic duty by supporting the advancement of policy change in our local hospital.
MUSC Health Lancaster has a diverse patient population. As part of my civic duty, it is important that I provide education and care that reaches all populations that I serve. In addition to the bulletin board for Labor and Delivery Staff, I also created a flyer provided to patients detailing the benefits of breastfeeding and skin to skin contact in both Spanish and English (View my BTC flyer below). This ensures no patient is at a disadvantage when trying to understand what is best for their new loved one. Working to diminish unequal access to health resources as well as educating healthcare professionals and the public are ways that I am fulfilling my civic duty. I also fulfill my civic duty by supporting the advancement of policy change in our local hospital.
Helping promote the well being of others and benefiting the public is something all nurses need to strive to do. As we better educate ourselves and others, it only helps make the world a healthier and safer place to raise children and grow families. It is logical to use research to expand my knowledge and then implement that into my practice. I need to take it a step further to fulfill my civic duty and work to make a change in the standard of practice all nurses use to guide them. It is important to advocate for change even though it may make my job more difficult for a period of time. In the end what matters to me are good outcomes for my patients and their families