What is the importance of the legal system for nurses?
There are legal systems that have been put into place to ensure nurses are can perform their duties in a manner that is professional and consistent with the practices and policies that have been established. While nurses strive to carry out their tasks and responsibilities to their level best, there are rare cases where variations occur. When these instances like this happen, it usually leads to litigation, and it is therefore crucial for nurses to understand the legal systems concerned with the nursing profession.
The legal system for nurses is essential as it helps the nurses conduct their duties professionally. The health sector is very sensitive as it deals with matters of life and death. As such, it is vital to ensure that the people who are engaged in the sector are professional in everything that they do. Without the legal system, it would be impossible to maintain professionalism in the nursing field. The legal system provides guidelines that help nurses to carry out their duties effectively without second-guessing or assumptions.
Legal systems also help nurses avoid litigation by providing rules and laws pertaining to the conduct of a nurse. The systems define the manner through which the nurses may interact with patients, other healthcare professionals, and patients’ families. While carrying out their responsibilities, nurses are exposed to situations that may lead to lawsuits, through understanding the legal systems to avoid such instances.
The legal systems for nurses also help protect the rights of the nurses. Before proper legal systems were put into place, nurses recorded high instances of abuse of nurses by other health professionals and by patients. The legal systems guide the nurses on the cause of action that they may take in case of abuse, harassment, or rights infringement. The legal systems in nursing have helped reduce the instances of abuse in the nursing field over the past two decades.
- Describe strategies for avoiding legal problems in Nursing
Throughout the carrying of duties by nurses, they are exposed to numerous instances, which may lead to legal issues. It is, therefore, essential to have effective strategies that may assist nurses in avoiding legal problems. One of the best strategies that a nurse can use is being up to date with the nursing practices and laws governing the conduct of nurses. If every nurse takes a personal initiative to understand the practices and law in the field, many legal battles may be avoided. Research shows that the majority of nurses who are involved in lawsuits concerning their profession lack adequate knowledge and information pertaining to the legal systems in nursing.
Another effective strategy is to uphold the safety measures and requirements that have been put into place. Following safety measures when performing a procedure on patients is very important as it avoids accidents or injury of patients when giving care. Some nurses have found themselves in court for failure to adhere to simple regulations such as proper dosage administration to patients.
Lastly, nurses should aim to ensure that they maintain honest open and direct lines of communication with patients and other nurses. Honesty is a critical factor in the nursing field as it helps a nurse avoid most cases of malpractice. It has been found that nurses who have high moral standards are least likely to be engaged in behaviors that may lead to legal problems. Maintaining high levels of professionalism is the ultimate strategy to avoid legal issues. It is the responsibility of each and every nurse to ensure that they follow the nursing guidelines and principles. The best way to prevent legal problems in nursing is to ensure being responsible from the individual level and ensure the following of the practices and laws in place.