nursing definition

nursing definition

The “heartbeat of healthcare” refers to nurses, who are an essential component of the healthcare system. ” They put all of their efforts into keeping, improving, maintaining, and restoring the individual’s health. In order for nurses to competently, ethically, and legally carry out their duties and provide comprehensive patient care, they need extensive knowledge. The nurse’s role has changed a lot over the past two decades, and it now includes more specialization, more autonomy, and more responsibility. Nurses make a commitment to accept personal accountability for their actions and care. They are expected to act in accordance with the law and the requirements of nursing professional bodies. If nurses were aware of their legal responsibilities, they would undoubtedly be better equipped to care for those in their care, resulting in improved service quality and productivity. This article focuses on determining how well-informed nurses are about the law and their legal responsibilities in the environment in which they operate and provide care to patients. The latter section of the article examines the regulations that are currently in place in South Africa, while the first part of the article aims to determine whether the norms and standards that nurses use to administer health care in other international jurisdictions are comparable to the situation in South Africa. The main point of this discussion is to see if the laws and policies in place are enough to equip nurses with the knowledge they need to fully understand their roles and responsibilities when providing patient care.

The legislature that regulates the nursing profession in South Africa

The National Health Act, 2003 (Act 61 of 2003)

• The National Patients’ Rights Charter was developed by the Department of Health and launched in 1999 to serve as a guideline for people seeking health services and health institutions regarding the rights and responsibilities of people in the health sector prior to the implementation of the National Health Act 61 of 2003 (hereinafter referred to as the National Health Act). The National Health Act combines the country’s health system with a common goal to promote and improve health care delivery within the aforementioned guidelines, as the National Patients’ Rights Charter’s guidelines are similar to those mentioned in the National Health Act and the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s (HPCSA) guidelines.45 The National Patients’ Rights Charter also has as part of its mission the realization and protection of the patient’s rights to access health care as well as to privacy and a healthy and safe environment. The Constitution’s obligations and other pertinent health legislation, such as nursing care, health users’ rights, and healthcare provider responsibilities, are enacted by the Act.46

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