The Differences And Similarities Of Two Health Care Professionals PracticeEssay Preview: The Differences And Similarities Of Two Health Care Professionals PracticeReport this essay1. IntroductionThis report is about two different health care professions, occupational therapy and nursing. It will compare all aspects of training, registration, principles, codes of conduct, CPD, ethical issues and professional boundaries for both. Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people with varying physical or psychological illnesses and disabilities. Their role is to promote independence, through the use of assessment and implementation of aids to enable clients to maximise independence with activities of daily living. Nurses work to promote good health and all round well-being, helping people who are ill get well and who are well to stay well. Nurses work in a variety of clinical settings and can do specialist training in mental health, adult, learning disability and paediatrics. Having closely compared the two professions there are many similarities, however differences are also apparent and I have outlined these throughout this report in greater detail.
2. Professional Training and RegistrationBoth nurses and OTs are educated at university to degree level and take 3 years to complete their course. Entry qualifications are almost identical for both, needing five GCSE passes and at least two, A levels. Alternatives to A levels are also considered, such as an approved access course. For nursing” All applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of literacy, numeracy and good character.” (NHS Careers 2011) Before being able to commence training both professions are required to have a Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme enhanced disclosure done, to ensure they are working within the Protecting Vulnerable Adults and Young Peoples Act (2007). (Disclosure Scotland 2011)
A Registered Nurses Certificate (RNBC) is a key part of the RN’s professional development and certification. This includes practicum work-trainings. RNBC certificates are a highly relevant development in RN practice, taking into account all nursing experience and practice experience and the need for a professional working within the RN, especially for RN students. They are available for students who have completed both or similar classes as RN in Scotland at the time of application and will be available for further research to follow. (NS Health 2011) Registered Nurses Certificate
*All nurses who want to apply for a Registered Nurse qualification should be able to. They also have to be up to 18 years old. In cases where a student has already had one or more RN training courses they will not see this information. A Registered Nurse is able to be required to pass a comprehensive examination, though they may have to take several more. (NS Health 2011) These are some of the more important questions that are asked at a regular RN training course. A Nurse is able to: apply for a Registered Nurse qualification at a Registered Nursing and Hospital (RNBC) course at any hospital or training school in Scotland. These can include a course of over 15 years for RN students, or a course of approximately a one-year internship within NHS Careers Scotland to study their nursing skills. They can also get qualified as a Registered Nurse once they gain a nurse certificate from a National Primary Nurse training course by completing these courses in other nursing-training schools. Registration to do practice is very fast depending on your experience and knowledge of nursing and NHS Carers and you may apply for both. A Nurse who is qualified as a nursing student is able to do some practice (to a total of three weeks), but there are likely to be a number of people who will not qualify. If you are working at any other registered home care facility, or working with people in the same building during the nursing-training course, you will need to get this qualification. Please note that this should not affect your experience with the Nursing and Healthcare Professionals. You will still be able to continue to practice. If you have a Registered Nurse certification, you will need a degree in Nursing or Hons, and a Masters Nursing degree. You might also be able to get qualified as a Registered Nurse once you’ve taken all RN training courses. You will also need to register as a registered nurse and apply for these courses and experience your nursing career. While they are not required to become Registered Nurses themselves, you may need to register RN on your own if you decide to go outside the legal system. If you are not able to or cannot complete a registered nurse course of about eight hours per day you are not entitled to being registered, and you do need to complete courses that cover nursing, as this will need to be done once you are legally certified and have your Certificate of National Registered Nurses
A Registered Nurses Certificate (RNBC) is a key part of the RN’s professional development and certification. This includes practicum work-trainings. RNBC certificates are a highly relevant development in RN practice, taking into account all nursing experience and practice experience and the need for a professional working within the RN, especially for RN students. They are available for students who have completed both or similar classes as RN in Scotland at the time of application and will be available for further research to follow. (NS Health 2011) Registered Nurses Certificate
*All nurses who want to apply for a Registered Nurse qualification should be able to. They also have to be up to 18 years old. In cases where a student has already had one or more RN training courses they will not see this information. A Registered Nurse is able to be required to pass a comprehensive examination, though they may have to take several more. (NS Health 2011) These are some of the more important questions that are asked at a regular RN training course. A Nurse is able to: apply for a Registered Nurse qualification at a Registered Nursing and Hospital (RNBC) course at any hospital or training school in Scotland. These can include a course of over 15 years for RN students, or a course of approximately a one-year internship within NHS Careers Scotland to study their nursing skills. They can also get qualified as a Registered Nurse once they gain a nurse certificate from a National Primary Nurse training course by completing these courses in other nursing-training schools. Registration to do practice is very fast depending on your experience and knowledge of nursing and NHS Carers and you may apply for both. A Nurse who is qualified as a nursing student is able to do some practice (to a total of three weeks), but there are likely to be a number of people who will not qualify. If you are working at any other registered home care facility, or working with people in the same building during the nursing-training course, you will need to get this qualification. Please note that this should not affect your experience with the Nursing and Healthcare Professionals. You will still be able to continue to practice. If you have a Registered Nurse certification, you will need a degree in Nursing or Hons, and a Masters Nursing degree. You might also be able to get qualified as a Registered Nurse once you’ve taken all RN training courses. You will also need to register as a registered nurse and apply for these courses and experience your nursing career. While they are not required to become Registered Nurses themselves, you may need to register RN on your own if you decide to go outside the legal system. If you are not able to or cannot complete a registered nurse course of about eight hours per day you are not entitled to being registered, and you do need to complete courses that cover nursing, as this will need to be done once you are legally certified and have your Certificate of National Registered Nurses
A Registered Nurses Certificate (RNBC) is a key part of the RN’s professional development and certification. This includes practicum work-trainings. RNBC certificates are a highly relevant development in RN practice, taking into account all nursing experience and practice experience and the need for a professional working within the RN, especially for RN students. They are available for students who have completed both or similar classes as RN in Scotland at the time of application and will be available for further research to follow. (NS Health 2011) Registered Nurses Certificate
*All nurses who want to apply for a Registered Nurse qualification should be able to. They also have to be up to 18 years old. In cases where a student has already had one or more RN training courses they will not see this information. A Registered Nurse is able to be required to pass a comprehensive examination, though they may have to take several more. (NS Health 2011) These are some of the more important questions that are asked at a regular RN training course. A Nurse is able to: apply for a Registered Nurse qualification at a Registered Nursing and Hospital (RNBC) course at any hospital or training school in Scotland. These can include a course of over 15 years for RN students, or a course of approximately a one-year internship within NHS Careers Scotland to study their nursing skills. They can also get qualified as a Registered Nurse once they gain a nurse certificate from a National Primary Nurse training course by completing these courses in other nursing-training schools. Registration to do practice is very fast depending on your experience and knowledge of nursing and NHS Carers and you may apply for both. A Nurse who is qualified as a nursing student is able to do some practice (to a total of three weeks), but there are likely to be a number of people who will not qualify. If you are working at any other registered home care facility, or working with people in the same building during the nursing-training course, you will need to get this qualification. Please note that this should not affect your experience with the Nursing and Healthcare Professionals. You will still be able to continue to practice. If you have a Registered Nurse certification, you will need a degree in Nursing or Hons, and a Masters Nursing degree. You might also be able to get qualified as a Registered Nurse once you’ve taken all RN training courses. You will also need to register as a registered nurse and apply for these courses and experience your nursing career. While they are not required to become Registered Nurses themselves, you may need to register RN on your own if you decide to go outside the legal system. If you are not able to or cannot complete a registered nurse course of about eight hours per day you are not entitled to being registered, and you do need to complete courses that cover nursing, as this will need to be done once you are legally certified and have your Certificate of National Registered Nurses
Both professions are governed by different councils which were set up by the government to set out codes and standards of conduct for each to follow, safeguarding the public and ensuring health professionals meet the correct standards. (NHS Careers 2011) Both must be registered with the governing body to be able to practice. Nurses must apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for a pin number that will be unique to them and registration must be renewed every three years with proof of continued training and education being shown to meet with the standard required by the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2010). Renewal of registration for OTs is done every two years through a revalidation process, where the OT must declare their fitness to practice (Health Professions Council n.d). If they are deemed unfit to practice then registration will be denied. For both professions continued professional development and on going training is essential to maintain registration.
3. PrinciplesPrinciples are an unspoken law, a rule of good conduct and the practical manifestation of values. Within occupational therapy and nursing, to provide a good service the principles of the profession must be adhered to. They have been set out to promote and maintain high standards of professional behaviour and practice.
The principles of nursing practice have been set out by The Royal College of Nursing and various other health related organisations (Royal College of Nursing 2007) and for OTs The College of Occupational Therapy put in place the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct which are the values and principles that OTs must follow to uphold professional practice. (College of Occupational Therapists 2011) The principles of both professions are very similar and are patient focused, by outlining what standards of care should be expected and giving a clear picture of appropriate professional practice. The principles are accessible to anyone via publications which can be downloaded online at the Royal College of Nursing website or the College of Occupational Therapy website respectively.
4. Codes of ConductBoth professions are governed by a Code of Professional Conduct which serves to protect patients andprofessionals. For nurses these codes are set out by the NMC and can be accessed on the NMC website and for OTs there are The Standards set out by the HPC and can be accessed on the HPC website. Both professions must follow the standards set by their governing body to remain registered within their profession and must continue to meet the standards that are set to determine their fitness to practice. (Health Professions Council n.d), (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2010).
The Codes/Standards of Conduct for nurses and OTs are almost identical and having read them myself, they set a very high level of accountability, competence, respect, confidentiality, conduct and personal development for both professions to follow. If these codes/standards are not met then their registration will be revoked. I note that one of the differences between the NMC and HPC codes are that the NMC guidelines appear to be centred towards the client but HPC leans towards the professional.
5. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)In both professions CPD allows the regulatory bodies to ensure registered practitioners are up to dateand working within guidelines, ensuring standards of care. All health care professionals must do this to be able to work as a registered professional. CPD is a way of supporting people to have an understanding of their work environment, job and how to improve it. Nurses “must maintain their registration by meeting post-registration education and practice (Prep) standards set by the NMC” (Nursing and Midwifery Council) and “All occupational therapists need to engage in lifelong learning, or continued professional development (CPD), to remain registered with the Health Professions Council and enable the profession to develop”. (College of Occupational Therapists, 2011)
A Portfolio of Professional Development to document training, reflective accounts and courses completed is essential as both professions are required to present this to their governing body. For nursing this must also contain conformation they have fulfilled 450 hours of practice and five study days in each three year period to enable re-registration (Nursing and Midwifery Council) but for OTs there is no mandatory hours to fulfil but they must be allowed six days (45 hrs) given CPD time per year from their employer. (College of Occupational Therapists, 2011)
CPD is essential to ensure health professionals are up to date and working in a current manner seeking guidance from