Random Act Of Kindness In Nursing Research Paper

In our book groups we discussed two essays “The Connection Between Strangers” by Miles Goodwin and the essay “The People Who Love You When No One Else Would” by Cecile Gilmer. In my group we said that “no matter how big or small your act of kindness is, it could change someones life” was demonstrated in both essays. In the first essay, “The Connection Between Strangers”, shows this because this little girl walked up to this solider and congratulated him. Little did she know, that the small action had changed the soldier’s life, as he said in the essay, “That girl undoubtedly has no memory of what happened years ago… It doesn't matter why she gave me the magazine. The important thing is she did” (Goodwin 83).

Volunteering at the Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home over the summer was an invaluable experience. As I became more comfortable, I began extending my duties beyond physical tasks such as serving food or transporting residents. I started interacting with the residents on a more personal level, not as a volunteer, but more as a friend. In return, the residents became increasingly open, and the nurses watched as I conversed with residents they had deemed as reserved. Sometimes when I helped residents they would say nothing, but at the same time they said everything I needed to hear. I probably appreciated helping those residents, more than they appreciated me. Every night when I went to bed, I felt I had actually made a difference. This volunteering experience allowed me to realize that whatever I do in life, I want to go to sleep feeling the same way I did that summer.

Working with the nurse who cared for my ailing grand-aunt, was a life changing experience. I would assist with bathing, grooming and toileting as well as reading to my aunt a couple of her favorite mystery novels. Evening though my grand-aunt 's condition was irreversible, I felt at peace because her nurse made sure she was comfortable and her needs were met. The compassion, empathy, work ethics and support the nurse provided for my family and grand-aunt during this difficult time resonated with me, the nurse inspired me in so many ways and even encouraged me to pursue a profession in nursing.

Giving myself time to read up on nursing experiences, attending more clinical practice labs, participating and watching these duties in the health care setting will allow me to develop a secure level of confidence the next time that this type of situation may occur. Staying in the room allowed me to experience the feeling of support while looking past social norms and how they are challenged. I met my personal values, and I believe that one should respect another person`s privacy. This understanding allowed me to be there to support the resident during her time of need. In the article `starting out` by Jane Schulz, a nursing student shares her experience of helping her colleague assist an elderly patient with daily care. Observing the compassion and care between nurse and patient from fundamental tasks, she took away a valued lesson of how our support and caring methods affect an individual. My relation to this story allowed me to reflect on the effects my care and supporting actions had on our patient.

Service is one of the essential pillars of the National Honor Society. While a member of the National Honor Society I have participated in many projects that have changed the way I see the world. While volunteering I have met many fascinating individuals that have different stories. Stories that have influenced my future goals to help and show kindness to everyone. While volunteering at Care one I have met multiple people who always have a smile on their face no matter how bad or good their day is going. Therefore the most significant moment that has impacted me is one story in particular. During the weekend I volunteer with an elderly woman. She is kind, friendly and has the biggest smile. While volunteering with her I have learned that volunteering

On our final local community service day, we were primarily accompanied by the 2 of the more abled patients in Dover Hospice. Their positive energy illuminated the room, they were cheerful and entertaining as we folded paper flowers together. We even began singing songs in the midst of folding the paper flowers. Once we were completed, we attempted to brighten their day through distributing the papers flowers we made, and interacting with the patients.

Back when I was not sure, I aimed to find out more about what healthcare means for people today by volunteering. It was through this at the Orlando Regional Medical Center that I began to understand. I witnessed firsthand the kindness and empathy medicine requires of its practitioners. Consoling and guiding patients were my primary responsibilities, along with restocking supplies, helping transfer patients, and guiding visitors to their loved ones. I learned to work with people recovering from surgery, terminal patients, and many others only wanting company; I listened to them, wished them a happy birthday, or simply sat with them while they told me about their lives, their struggles, or how they met their spouses. A human connection was essential.

I have been blessed beyond measure in my life with the love and support of my family. It is because of that love and support that I feel a strong obligation to be the best person I can be by working hard and caring about the world around me. Through my volunteer work, I have participated in many fundraisers, food and clothing drives. However, my greatest personal growth has come from more direct acts of kindness that go largely unrecognized to anyone other than the recipient. My first experience meeting someone in very unfortunate circumstances occurred when my mother suggested we deliver meals for an Atlanta based organization called Open Hands. Open Hands prepares individualized healthy meals for very ill people living on their own. Open Hands conducted training on a

From a young age, when not in school I was in and out of hospitals watching while my mother battled cancer three times. She finally lost her battle with cancer just after her 60’Th birthday. During this time helping her with treatments and care was something I did regularly and willingly. It was during the hospital stays and doctor appointments I viewed first-hand the tremendous positive impact nurses have on the lives of their patients and family members. The nurses that cared for my mother also cared for me. They showed me

As I was getting ready to enter the patient’s room, I was thinking about the many ways I could start a conversation with her. I had previously entered her room and I knew she was one of the sweetest and happiest people ever. I decided to write my assignment on her because of her inspiring personality, despite her physical condition. I was amazed to see how a person who could do nothing but the bare minimum was so happy and thankful towards life. I spent a lot of time with her through out the day. I helped her with her breakfast, lunch, bed bath, and followed her to therapy. I was so amazed that despite her weakness, she tried so hard during her therapeutic exercises, and although she failed many times, she never stopped smiling and just kept

My patient is near and dear to my heart; she is my grandma and her name is Jolene. She grew up on a farm in Clear Lake, Washington with her parents, sister, and brother. She married her high school sweetheart and they had two children, a boy and girl. They were a very poor family and life got even harder when her husband, Dave, passed away from a heart attack. Suddenly she was a widow with two children and no money. She worked many jobs to support her children for many years until another great man came along, Dennis. He was an established chiropractor with three kids and he was also recently divorced. It wasn’t long until he swept my grandma off her feet and into her new life. He helped her establish many boutiques of her own and provided a great life for all their children. Now almost forty years later, they are still together. Once their children were out on their own and making a life for themselves, Dennis and Jolene decided to pack up and move to Europe. They lived in Italy for almost ten years before returning to Washington because of Jolene’s newly onset rheumatoid arthritis. Although she loved Italy, her body wasn’t okay with the cobble stones and all the walking she had to do. Today, Jolene enjoys spending time at her self-owned boutique in Walla Walla, Washington, walking her pug, Ping, and spending time with her

In the year of 2014, it was a hard time for my family and me. Throughout the whole year of 2014, my grandpa was in and out of the hospital weeks turning into months at a time. He was the healthiest man, but that year really took a toll on him, which resulted in him extended hospital stays. Throughout the whole year, the nurses became so close with the family seeing how they would conversate with our family so much. The nurses provided so much security and assurance within their scope of practice within my grandpa’s hospital stays. It was the nurses in the room late nights and early mornings keeping my grandma and family company, displaying their empathy and treating us like their very own family. We all shared laughs, prayers, hugs, and cries all while concluding their job duties. The words spoken by Maya Angelou, “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but will never forget how you made them feel.” From every doctor, nurse to janitorial staff that had an encounter with my grandpa and my

For the past three years, I have been volunteering in the Day Surgery and Emergency Departments at the Greater Niagara General Hospital. In this role, it is my responsibility to improve patient care and be the first person to approach a patient, even before the nurses. I also help to comfort the families of patients during emergencies, and keep them as calm as possible. I have come to enjoy this role immensely; instead of being home, I volunteer on Christmas Day, as I know that I can be a rather lonely time for most patients. Being able to help people, whether it is fetching them water or being a shoulder to cry on- is incredibly rewarding.

I remember a friend of my choir who had his wife pinned to a nursing home bed for over eight years. She was unable to recover from her illness and was totally paralyzed. Even though time was very critical, the husband never gets discourage. Every single day, he hopes that the day will be better than the last one. By respecting her right to live, he stood there, waiting for her recover or the time to say goodbye. This also inspires patience and courage to an ill patient not to give up hope in time of adversity.

Altruism is when people make act to benefit other people regardless the result or cost,(Greater good, 2016) Empathy is the ability to identify what people think or feel and respond to their thoughts and feeling with an appropriate emotion(David H, 2012)