The history of mankind shows, from its beginnings, that human beings need care to survive, to live with health, happiness and well being, and to cure in disease situations. Care has been the subject of study of philosophers, historians, and anthropologists, but, in my view, nursing is the profession of care, and it has produced more knowledge to support the various dimensions of care. For me, the nursing care is to promote life, the life potential, the welfare of human beings in their individuality, complexity, and completeness. It involves an interpersonal encounter with therapeutic purpose, comfort, healing when possible and also preparation for death when it is inevitable. Nursing, as a discipline in science, has the responsibility to contribute permanently to the production of knowledge capable of supporting culturally congruent care actions, technically competent, morally acceptable and contribute to the preservation of life in its fullness in the different situations of the process of human living. Patients need professional care, attention, and love for them to recover quickly. In my opinion, I think nursing is where love meets science. My passion for nursing start when I was seven years old. One of my mother’s friend, Nanci, was a nurse. We would go visiting her at her home during weekends and holidays. One day while playing in school, I bruised my his knee. When my mother came to pick me up from school, she insisted that the wound had to be dressed. So on our way
Throughout history nurses have been described as honorable, trustworthy, compassionate and caring. In today’s ever changing world of technological advancements, scientific discoveries, increased life expectancies, patient surveys and overall moral decline in all cultures respectively, the art of caring in nursing has become increasingly more difficult to express in its genuine form. The purpose of this paper is to explore this advanced practice nurse’s definition of caring in comparison to literature’s definition of caring in nursing and how caring is demonstrated in patient care both artistically and in practice.
Human caring is what sets nursing apart from other professions. As Watson (1998) stated, “care and love are the most universal, the most tremendous and the most mysterious of cosmic forces: they comprise the primal universal psychic energy. Caring is the essence of nursing and the most central and unifying focus for nursing practice” (p. 32-33). It is important to establish a good nurse-patient relationship in order to create a healing environment that would meet patient’s needs on all levels including physical, mental/emotional and spiritual, promote recovery, maintain health, and create positive outcomes. Jean Watson emphasized the importance of human
Nursing care incorporates not only a compassionate attitude but passion for care of patients. The caring component of nursing cannot be measured, rather dissected through theory within the clarification of what nurses do. Systemically this is all supported through abundant theories and theorist. The nursing profession emphasizes on holistic care which is defined as treatment of the whole person. Within this skill is the admittance of problems that are biomedical but also opportune clarification of the well-being and health of a human that introduces added indicators of disease that are non-visualized (Powers, 2011).
Nursing is more than a science; it is a lived experience that connects two people on an intimate level. Nurse and patient connect only if there is genuine care process that involves both the emotional and physical needs of a patient. Deriving directly from a place of humanness nursing must be seen as the professionalization of the human capacity to care. Caring in nursing is a key component in providing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship through knowing an individual, providing emotional support, as well as physically assisting those who cannot care for themselves (Chan & Leung, 2007).
Nursing has always been in my life since the day I was born… literally. My Aunt, a labor and delivery nurse, was the one who basically helped my mother deliver me. The fact that my Aunt was lucky enough to be the one that was there for people on those special days fascinated me. As long as could remember I knew I wanted to do that and be the one to help and comfort so many through their highs and lows.
Nursing care is a dynamic field of practice. The way it looks today is far out greater intense and very structured. It advances itself by the use of nursing theories and evidence based practice. Policies and procedures constantly change with the advancement of technology and science. While caring for the patient in the given case studies, a nurse involved utilizes practical knowledge, a culture care model and transpersonal caring relationship to attain a caring environment (Smith & Parker, 2015).
Nursing is as much science as it is a study in the human condition. Combining caring and the notion of human flourishing allows the nurse sharpen her understanding of patients’ needs by observing and understanding herself (Husted & Husted, 2008). A nurse is able to better anticipate the needs of her patients by noting similarities and differences between the two of them. With caring in the nursing corner, even under less-than-ideal conditions, one can still create havens of hope, nourishment, and the possibility for flourishing (MacCulloh, 2011).
The purpose of this paper will be to discuss the major philosophies that have shaped the nursing profession, how epistemologies have informed nursing science, the development of nursing philosophy, and the theoretical knowledge that has advanced the nursing body of knowledge. I will discuss how this new knowledge has influenced my perspective of the nursing profession, and how this will inform my theory-guided and reflective practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Furthermore, I will articulate the concepts and ideas of my personal nursing philosophy and paradigm, and the congruence to the theoretical concepts and elements of Dr. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring (Watson, 1979).
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
Frequently, nurses are considered the foundation of the healthcare industry and the stakes are high when certain qualities must be possessed when working with patients and providing quality care. Nurses have a profound ability to apply strong skill-based knowledge with a caring and compassionate attitude that can improve patient outcomes. They also play an important role that can positively or negatively affect the way patients and family members view healthcare as a whole. Professional nursing practice is an art and science when both elements are integrated together to form a unique way of practice, but what does that really mean? The purpose of this paper is to define nursing as an art and science and explain how these two concepts come together to form an extraordinary way to perform professional nursing practice that contributes to the well-being of the patient.
Nursing revolves, not merely about looking after patients, but creating awareness in the society about self care nursing and prevention strategies and to communicate with their patients in a holistic manner, so as to satisfy their physical, mental and spiritual health needs. Various nursing theorists have repeatedly
My interest in becoming a nurse began when I was a young child. I have always felt compelled to take care of others who are injured or in need but I also took pleasure from seeing people recover. Seventh grade was the first year I took a science course which was
A nurse is so much more than someone who administers medication, performs physical examinations, and establishes treatment plans. Nurses do not just listen to their patients needs, they advocate for them. They do not just take care of the suffering and ill, they have empathy for them. They do not just treat injuries and wounds, they heal the mind body and spirit. Being a nurse is not just a job title, it is an identity. It involves many core concepts and incorporates many values and beliefs. Being a nurse includes the concepts professionalism and patient and family - centered care. Both in which relate to the Benedictine values of the College of St. Scholastica.
In the article Nursing at its Best: Competent and caring provides a variety of definitions and why nurses have a tendency to be “caring”. It is one of the most important factors for many people when deciding to enter such career. Many believe in the significance of having emotional feelings while practicing as a nurse because it is said that someone who does not care will not provide the most efficient patient-centered care. The article discusses an investigation on the motivations for seeking nursing as a career and their thoughts on ‘caring’. “Students identified caring as the essential quality” (Rhodes, Morris, & Lazendy, 2011) caring is the major key that God has provided when a person needs the help. A nurse might be an excellent health care member but if he/she lacks the factor of caring her/his
My interest and fascination in nursing dates back to when I was in the hospital for my grandparents. Despite the fact that I was there as a supportive family member, I found myself watching the nurses in action, assisting both the patient and my family. This was the first time I realized that I wanted to be a nurse, the person who was so dedicated in caring for my grandparents. Ever since that moment in the hospital, I knew nursing would be the career meant for me.