Nursing is an ever-changing and growing profession. Tools such as the Scope and Standards of Nursing, State Nursing Legal Regulations, Code of Ethics, and General Principles of Philosophy are used to establish standards and promote growth within the profession. I use these principles and standards daily in my career as a registered nurse (RN). In this article, I will discuss the importance of these factors in my career and how they all contribute to the success of everyone involved. American Nurses Association Scope of Practice There are six established standards for nursing practice; assessment, diagnosis, identification of results, planning, implementation and evaluation (ANA, 2010; pp. 9-10). Throughout a typical shift on the unit I work for, I have defined the tasks I am expected to complete in order to advance the patient's care and ensure their safety. I begin my shift by performing my initial assessment of my patient. During this time, I get to know my patient and assess whether there are any new problems that require my immediate intervention. From there, I can discuss appropriate goals for the day with my patient. This may take the form of increased mobility while walking around the unit, decreased pain, or simply taking a bath. I then plan when and how these tasks can be accomplished and coordinate care with appropriate team members; such as practical nurses and physiotherapists. Assessing the patient after any intervention helps to discover what works and what does not work for the individual. “The nursing process in practice is not linear as is often thought, with a feedback loop from assessment to assessment. Rather, it relies heavily on the two-way feedback loop...... middle of paper ......patient. If the patient is unable to do so, their power of attorney must do so. While the line is placed, I must ensure that the patient's privacy is respected and that proper techniques are used to keep the patient free of infection. This is just one example of how ethical principles and theories are used in my nursing unit. Without these principles and guidelines, I am not able to progress as a nurse. Daily decisions regarding the care I provide to my patients will be guided by a core philosophy and ethical standards. I believe that during my four years of nursing, my practice has been consistent with these standards. As a registered nurse, I believe it is important to always strive for improvement in all aspects of my career. Taking a step back and personal reflection will allow me to find areas for improvement necessary to improve the care I provide to my patients...