The Strengths Of The Nursing Profession

Regrettably, the existence of nursing depends on the medical inadequacy of others. Unfortunately, nursing exists because people get hurt, cannot care for themselves, or need assistance with daily activities. Carol Taylor (2011), author of Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Nursing Care, writes, “Nursing care involves any number of activities, from carrying out complicated technical procedures to something as seemingly as holding a hand” (p. 5). Taylor explains it is the duty of a nurse not only to learn the pertinent skills but also to bond with and comfort others. Nurses have to do and become many things: They must be stern when necessary, compassionate when needed, open minded

Above all nurses play an important role in the recovery of their patients. The actions and decisions of a nurse are manifestations of the true character that a nurse holds. (Lachman, 2008) Those who become nurses are not only expected to adhere to the norms of the profession but rather to

The profession of nursing requires a capacity and joy for caring and healing others both mentally and physically. Nurses spend their careers caring for patients and their families often in the worst and most frightening periods of their lives. Nursing responsibilities can be lengthy, stressful and physically and emotionally demanding. The demands of the nursing profession coupled with the nursing shortage and longer work hours put even more stress on nurses. Despite these extreme demands, many nurses do not fully appreciate the importance self-care. Yet without proper care for themselves, nurses are not able to provide the best care for their patients.

Nursing is not just a collection of tasks. To provide safe and effective care to the clients, nurses must integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes to make sound judgement and decisions. This essay describes some of the essential knowledge, skills and attitudes of nursing and discusses why they are essential attributes of a competent nurse.

The aging workforce has contributed to the nursing shortage. In the U.S the current average age of (RNs) is 45 years and almost a majority (40%) of RNs in the U.S are 50 years and older (American Nurses Association, 2011). Between 2001 and 2008, more than a majority (80%) of the

The nursing profession is a challenge. As a nurse, you must remember every day that you can both alleviate suffering patients by administering treatment prescribed by a doctor and by a good word and a smile. For a good nurse should not matter how hard the day was, how much trouble it encountered, but must remember the core values of the profession and why he/she chose this profession. Nurses play an important role in the healthcare system. This is why they have been correctly referred to as the heart

Nursing is constantly evolving and adapting to the current population, and with the elderly population increasing exponentially, nurses are inevitably affected by these changes. The baby boomers are getting older, changing healthcare as they go. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who are ages 65 and older are expected to increase 17% by 2020. By the recent demographics shift, nursing practice is affected as there becomes a greater need for nurses to be able to guide those who suffer with multiple chronic conditions, specialize in geriatrics, and also care for the mental health of the elderly.

Nursing has become one of the most important professions in healthcare however; there are many aspects as to what is needed for nurses to become more efficient in their skills. The IOM report has much information as to the impact of nursing in regards to nursing practice, education, and leadership. In each of these, the IOM report explains the importance of these subjects as well as the impact it has on future nursing. In this paper, the explanations of the importance of each of these skills are explained as well as what suggestions should be implemented to improve nursing practices.

It is evident that many different types of knowledge influenced Allison’s decision-making process when caring for her patients. There were also contextual factors that played a role in each nurse-patient interaction. The first contextual was the intrinsic nature of the nurse and the patient as individuals. Working in an understaffed nursing environment can cause nurses to experience burnout. Allison ensures she cares for herself physically and emotionally; allowing her to come to work refreshed and prepared for the stressful environment. She also focuses on the positive aspects of her work, such as believing that a busy shift will go by faster, rather than dwelling on

The student nurse has a personal definition of nursing as collaboratively caring of all individuals in a holistic manner, focusing on the prevention of illness and injury, diagnosis of symptoms, treatment of condition, and promotion of health and wellness. Nursing from a practical stance can be defined as the act of assessing a patient, diagnosis of the patient, providing patient outcomes, identification of a treatment plan, implementation of a plan, and evaluation of the plan. Anyone with a set of skills can practice the act of nursing, but it takes a special person to actually be a nurse. A nurse should be invested in the patient, be an advocate for the patient, and above all be caring towards the patient. A patient will surely not remember which nurse gave the best shot, but they will remember which nurse was the most caring. Nursing is more than administering medications and performing skills, but rather it is an art of knowledge and critical thinking combined with compassion and care.

Nurses retiring will be a major contributor to shortages in the future and monetary incentives is not enough to increase the nursing population (Duvall & Andrews, 2010). There is a physical and mental demand on nurses that are affected, especially when increasing the workload (Duvall & Andrews, 2010). Attracting new nurses by changing the view of nursing as a career option is critical to gaining younger nurses (Duvall & Andrews, 2010). Addressing the stress of nurses, physical and mental, can help with patient outcome and with the public perception (Duvall & Andrews,

Throughout history, society has considered women to be the natural caregivers of children, family, and community. Women were naturally thought of as nurses because the act was said to be an extension of their role in the home. They were called in to homes to help deliver babies or as wet nurses to breastfeed. In the 1800’s, women began taking care of soldiers. It was then that Florence Nightingale cared for soldiers in the Crimean War. During this time she revolutionized the role by setting standards of cleanliness and reducing infection. The legacy of nursing continues to be enriched by those who continue to follow the example of nursing pioneers. They refuse to be bound by others’ views

A student, in the practical nursing program, giving the best care by using and applying skills, principles, and guidelines is the main concern. Seventy-five percent of patients in hospital are elderly simply because of their fragility and decrease in their immune system which would cause mature adult to develop a health problem. Every week is about meeting new patients with different type of diagnosis so skills can develop and one of the patients has caught a particular attention.

Nursing goes beyond caring for a patient during their illness and managing their disease process. Nursing includes adapting to a patient’s and their family’s physical, social, spiritual, environmental and psychological needs. I believe in treating the whole patient and being supportive of the family’s needs as well. Shelly & Miller (2006) asserts “while critical thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills are extremely important, the characteristics nurses need most are compassion, competence, faith, integrity and responsibility” (p. 291).

American Nurses Association defines nursing as “the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and population”( Potter,P.,& Perry, A. 2005,1-5). Thus making nursing dynamic and ever changing. However, when nursing