In the nursing profession, accountability is of paramount importance as it describes ones recognition and acceptance of their actions and taking full responsibility, it helps strengthen the nursing practice. Nurses and all health care workers improve their performance and competence as well as raising organizational standards if they remain responsible for their own mistakes. According to Macia M Rachel, five concepts defining accountability are:
- Obligation- a duty that usually comes with consequences.
- Willingness- accepted by choice or without reluctance.
- Intent- the purpose that accompanies the plan.
- Ownership- having power or control over something.
- Commitment- a feeling of being emotionally compelled (Rachel, 2012).
Furthermore, there are three vital elements that should be included whenever accountability is mentioned which are clarity, commitment as well as consequences (Rachel, 2012). Nurses are required to continue with their education in order to keep their nursing skills and knowledge up to date, by so doing there is advanced quality care and less omission during patient care (Green, 2018).
An example of how nurses demonstrate professional accountability is by ensuring they help patients avoid contracting hospital acquired infections whenever handling patients or performing any procedures through practicing correct standards of handwashing protocols, sanitizing as well maintaining a clean patient environment. This can be achieved by following proper infection control policies. In the nursing process, nurses can demonstrate accountability through safe practices, for example in wound care procedures, a nurse should maintain the aseptic technique throughout the procedure. Continued education as well as implementation of research can help in learning gaps hence effective patient care.