Characteristics Of Caring For Patients

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Characteristics of Caring
The first characteristic of caring deals with a healing interaction between the nurse and patient that leads to a therapeutic outcome. The outcome is therapeutic when a patient remains autonomous. Often times, this is hindered because a person seeks out healthcare when they can no longer manage their symptoms on their own (Lindberg, Fagerstrom, Sivberg, & Willman, 2014). In order for this healing interaction to take place, a nurse must recognize that the patient has rights to their own views, values, and beliefs. The nurse must remain open to the patient’s needs in order to accommodate them effectively. Caring for patients by healing interactions can also be considered complete according to Ranheim, Karner, &…show more content…
Examples of this include giving a patient an injection of heparin after breaking a hip or asking a co-worker to put a gown on in an isolation room. It is crucial that a nurse be competent and caring enough to explain the purpose of what we do in a respectful manner.
Antecedents and Consequences
Antecedents
According to Brilowski & Wendler (2005), the main antecedent of caring was the amount of time a nurse has to care. High patient to staff ratios make it hard to a nurse to care for a patient in a way that provides holistic healing. Consequently, dissatisfaction occurs for the patient and they may perceive this lack of attention as a lack of caring from the nurse.
Consequences
Consequences to caring are generally positive. The main consequence is increased health and healing for the patient (Brilowski & Wendler, 2005). Another positive consequence is a feeling of power and autonomy for patients. Finally, the patient’s perception of the nurse is positively influenced as they are now viewed as compassionate, competent, and respectful (Brilowski & Wendler, 2005).
Cases
Model Case #1 Mr. Smith, a 72 year old man has been admitted to an orthopedic floor following the surgical repair of a fractured femur. Ann, his nurse, knows that Mr. Smith is a type II diabetic, has a history of hypertension, DVT, a-fib, and two cardiac stents. At 9 a.m., Ann enters Mr. Smith’s room with his medications. These include lovenox, Norvasc, and novolog insulin. Mr.
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