Nursing : Nursing, Health, Person, And Environment

We often hear that nursing is an art and a science, and I firmly believe that. The way a nurse blends those aspects of care defines the nurse. As nurses, our roles in our patients’ lives vary depending on their needs. We are teachers as well as technical experts, and our ultimate goal is to ensure our patients and families are ready to take over when the

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

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 healthcare industry has intensely advanced throughout the world, in turn changing the principles that incorporate the practice and culture of nursing practice. Altering the model of care to a patient-centered mode signifies an organizational culture shift and requires the participation of executives at the senior level (Cliff, 2012). To practice this care to provide the best care possible, it goes beyond the nurse to all healthcare professionals and senior leadership. The days of patients and nurses following a physician’s order without favor to care has now loaned themselves to more of an interdisciplinary approach to practice. Though, it is encouraged that the patient makes decisions for themselves, after receiving the proper education and information on their condition. Part of the patient-centered care is to be the patients’ advocate, by letting them know you are there for them when they are unable to speak and advocate for themselves and what is in their best interest. That goes in hand with educating them on “self-management of care, health literacy, patient, and family education through nurse-patient communication and interaction (Finkelman & Kenner, 2016, p. 271).”

Nursing was, for my sixteen year old self, taking care of the sick. Little did I know the complexities of that definition. Still, taking care of the sick was interesting enough to make nursing my major. I started practicing nursing years ago. However, I still struggle defining and explaining my profession to others. I usually start by differentiating nursing from medicine. Nurses see patients as humans rather than a disease that needs treatment (Zaccagnini & White, 2014, p. 15). However, as I advance my career, I must actively incorporate nursing theory into my practice. Nursing theory gives a foundation to understand patients and their health problems better. The use of nursing theory provides a framework to evaluate nurses’ interventions on a higher standard (Zaccagnini & White, 2014). Kenney described five steps to follow once the decision to include nursing theory has being made. This paper will explore the process of applying the Kenney’s five steps into my practice.

A particular emphasis on the different areas of nursing, such as patient-centered care has captured the interest of many. The need for patient-centered care has grown, in part, from the evolving medical atmosphere in the United States (Reynolds, 2009). Nurses and other health care providers no longer are solely in charge of care. Patients demand to be active partners in the health care process (Reynolds, 2009). In patient-centered care, the needs of the patient and patient satisfaction are the priority (Reynolds, 2009). It does not focus exclusively on the sickness, but rather, on the patient and the patient’s psychological, spiritual and emotional needs. Patient-centered health care attempts to engage patients and their families in the active participation of the decision-making methodology. This is accomplished by supplying them with knowledge about the patient’s health condition. Patients critique the standard of healthcare they receive. They evaluate based on social graces and more importantly bedside manner. Most are incapable of evaluating a nurse’s level of skill or training, so the qualities they can assess become of the utmost importance in satisfying patients and providing patient-centered care (Reynolds, 2009).

This paper brings up my personal nursing philosophy I am planning to deliver in my nursing career. I believe that nursing is more than merely as a profession but also involving my medical knowledge combining it with a commitment to quality nursing care with compassion, respect, dignity, advocacy of each patient. I believe that the interdisciplinary care and collaboration in the medical field are crucial that leads to a healthy relationship among healthcare professionals in promoting quality patient care that is individualized to each patient’s needs.

This essay will discuss patient centred care and some of the main principles associated to it. It will also discuss why patient centred care is so important in nursing and acknowledges that there will always be opportunities and times when these principles can continually be improved upon and developed through further training and education.

Nursing is the commitment to facilitate patient-centered care to maintain and achieve optimal health. Virginia Henderson accurately defines nurses’ integration of patients’ autonomy into care plans and assisting patients in activities to regain their independence. An ever-changing multidisciplinary team profession, an unyielding pledge to continuous education enables nurses to use the newest evidence-based practices for more efficient care. The underpinning and forerunner of patient care, nursing is representing patients, families, populations and communities through limitless advocacy.

In my opinion, nursing is a well-educated profession not only to prevent and protect the public from illness and injury, but to facilitate the curing or alleviating their suffering from illness by patient centered holistic caring. Nurses are the main work force in the health care system, they are working in hospitals, nursing homes, community care sites, and other health care settings. As a nurse, I must respect and listen to the patients as individuals. I need to provide nonjudgemental care to those in need regardless of their social classes, religious beliefs, financial and cultural differences. I must consider the patient’s background, assessments, personal values and beliefs as a whole to achieve this goal. I strive to be an health advocate

Nursing as a health profession is “with the knowledge and understanding that each client has different needs. Possessing the ability to assess these needs and determine what type of care or intervention is needed to improve the clients’ health, person, and the environment is the art of nursing.” (2012)

Additionally, nursing is an art as it focuses on the skills that nurses use to help patients attain their optimal health and quality of life. Eydenburg asserts that nursing becomes an art “when the nurse adopts the caring skills of compassion and empathy” (as cited in Castledine 2010). These skills play a role in the connections and relationships that a nurse establishes with their patients. One of my goals as both a student nurse and a future RN is to form relationships with my patients to the point where they trust that I will provide them with the utmost quality of care while fulfilling their needs and requests to the best of my ability.

Nursing, as a profession, has evolved from the traditional role of caretaker, and doctor’s helper to a respectable and well desired profession. The practice has always been and still is about helping patients cope with their illness, prevent disease, and promote health. In comparison to historical nursing, which was based mostly on theory, much of today’s practice is founded upon evidence based research to deliver quality care that will result in the best outcomes. As the population’s healthcare needs change, so does the scope of our practice. This constant and unpredictable occurrence mandates ongoing learning and training to ensure that nurses are well prepared to take on the multifaceted issues that impact our healthcare system and our

This importance transcends itself into the nursing profession because no longer are nurses merely taught a concern for “...“hard/biological sciences” derived from the prevailing medical model...” (Lane, O’Brien, Gooney, & Reid, 2005, p.132). Through educational expectancies and curriculum requirements, nurses today are pushed to comprehend “...the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients” (Lane, O’Brien, Gooney, & Reid, 2005, p.132). A more integrated approach in nursing education enables a more integrated approach in nurse-patient interaction (Lane, O’Brien, Gooney, & Reid, 2005).

By forming this therapeutic relationship with the patient, not only does the patient feel respected and dignified, they are more willing to participate and engage in their treatment. They feel as if they’re part of a partnership and that they have a say in how they get cared for. Emphasizing participation in a friendly manner and showing that the patient’s needs are being put first, affects the quality of care given to the patient. Therefore, the relationship between a nurse and patient should fit into the patient-centered model of care, where patients are not only listened to within a clinical decision- making context, but are actively encouraged to participate in their own care pathway (McCormack & McCance,