Reality shock refers to a situation whereby new nurses face the challenge of implementing the ideal within a constrained work environment. New nurses may become disenchanted during the reality shock period. According to Nagelkerk (2006, p. 15), there are four phases of reality shock, which are the honeymoon, shock, recovery,...

When I was a child I remember being fascinated by the human body, how it worked and how it could heal itself. Like almost all children, I would frequently injure myself in small ways and would come home from school with bumps and cuts on different parts of my body....

Abstract This paper will offer up a discussion of nursing documentation as it relates to patient discharge abstracts and the identification of nursing sensitive outcomes. It will explore the process for developing standards and the role of the American Nurses Association in promoting standardized terminologies, detailing some of the benefits...

A nursing career involves many distinctions in regards to the preparations and credentialing needed to become a professional in the field. For example, nurses may be RNs, or Registered Nurses, NPs, or Nurse Practitioners, LPNS, or Licensed Practical Nurses as well as other distinctions within the profession. In order to...

Critical thinking is at the core of care delivered by a nurse. Broadly speaking, critical thinking is defined as “the disciplined, intellectual process of applying skilful reasoning as a guide to belief or action” (Paul, Ennis, & Norris, 1989 in Heaslip, 1993/2008, par.2). In nursing, the definition of critical thinking...