- There is a substantial amount of stigma that revolves around mental health. This negativity can be sourced from the lack of knowledge of the reoccurring issue. A lot of people are unaware of how prevalent mental issues are in society. It is hard for people to conceptualize that one is suffering from a mental illness when society is so focused on observations and physical appearance. Just because one cannot see the disability, does not mean that the disability does not exist. It is important for people to educate themselves on issues that are frequent in a lot of people. Self-stigmas can also be derived from societies outlook on people with mental illnesses. People are so focused on there public appearance they forget to be themselves. Society looks down upon people with these disabilities, which in turn causes self-stigma. It is important to understand your condition and work to better yourself without the negativity.
- Culture plays an important role in everyone’s conception of wellness and illness. It works with values and beliefs to form the basis of what you believe in. With this, it could deter people from getting screenings done or taking medications that can help a person improve their condition. If a person grows up without the knowledge or awareness about mental illnesses, then they are less likely to seek out help. Religion can also play a similar role in the influence of a person’s response to mental illness. It can give a person direction and influence decisions in their daily life. It is important to establish what values and beliefs you believe in and incorporate them into your own wellbeing.
Empathy & Compassion Reflection
Nursing is a very difficult and challenging profession. It requires long hours and hard work to routinely ensure the health and safety of their patients. Nurses hold certain qualities that allow them to effectively provide care in the most effective and efficient way. Some of the qualities include leadership, determination, and showing empathy and compassion. Empathy and compassion form part of the backbone when it comes to providing patient care. It instills that you are there for them and care about who they are, rather than just a patient with a number. Both qualities play an important role in providing care and can contrast in many ways.
Empathy directly focuses on the ability of the nurse to understand and share the feelings of the patient. This contrasts to compassion, as compassion dives deeper with the understanding of feelings by acting and holding the desire to help. Both terms have the same subject topic, but both take different directions to patient care. In terms of providing care, empathy is when a nurse would sit down with a patient and try to understand how they are feeling through a difficult situation. The nurse would be a support system for the patient. Compassion would be the nurse feeling and understanding the situation of the patient by acting and implementing interventions that would overall benefit them. They both have a specific and unique place while being a primary aspect of providing care.
Compassion and empathy can be seen in many shapes and forms. Jean Watson, a nurse theorist and professor, constructed the 10 Caritive Factors, within Watson’s Theory, that demonstrate compassion and empathy. The theory explains the framework of how nurses provide care in the most productive and efficient way. Compassion and empathy are concrete characteristics that influence the effectiveness of the framework. Watson’s 10 Caritive Factors include the following
“1.The formation of a humanistic-altruistic system of values
2.The instillation of faith-hope
3.The cultivation of sensitivity to one’s self and to others
4.The development of a helping-trust relationship
5.The promotion and acceptance of the expression of positive and negative feelings
6.The systematic use of the scientific problem-solving method for decision making
7.The promotion of interpersonal teaching-learning
8.The provision for a supportive, protective and corrective mental, physical, socio-cultural and spiritual environment
9.Assistance with the gratification of human needs
10.The allowance for existential-phenomenological forces”
The first factor includes the nurse’s ability to form relationships with the patients that is professional yet personal. This includes expressing empathy and compassion towards the patient as you care for them as they are your family. The nurse respects the patient’s values giving them a sense of identity. The second factor incorporates the beliefs of the patient by expressing empathy to allow the patient to accept the terms of their condition. The relationship formed promotes positive health during treatment. The third factor identifies differences in patient care by incorporating different methods of compassion and empathy. The nurse holds the ability to distinguish these differences and act accordingly to provide efficient and effective care. The fourth and fifth factor develops communication that is present in compassion and empathy that entitles the patient to a healthy relationship. The patient, as well as the family, is heard and feel they can trust the nurse with any issue regardless if it is positive or negative. No judgement is mad nor does the family feel guilt for the things they say and do within the practice of patient care. The sixth and seventh factor focuses on compassion by implementing problem solving strategies to promote the health of the patient. The nurse must educate, inform, guide, and explain processes to the patient. The decision-making aspect of these factor can be derived from the nursing process as nurse’s are always looking to improve their skills. The eighth factor looks at the patient’s environment and holds the nurse accountable for providing a safe mental, physical, sociocultural, and spiritual environment. Empathy and compassion play a role by establishing and implementing strategies that promote a healthy environment. The ninth factor involves a nurse’s intuition as well as communication strategies to decide the hierarchy of needs when it comes to patient care. Compassion and empathy aids in decided which needs come first. The nurse identifies what works best with the patient as well as their needs and establishes the order as to which they will be implemented. The tenth and final factor includes the spiritual needs of the patient. The nurse uses empathy and compassion to learn about what spiritual needs the patient has. The nurse sets aside their own beliefs to help aid the patient during care. These factors can be seen in every hospital, long term care facility, and even my clinical rotation.
My experience at clinical was full of effective communication and hands on learning. I went through my daily tasks such as taking vital signs and performing bedside assessments while keeping in mind the necessity of empathy and compassion. One interaction caught my attention when providing care. I was preforming my bedside assessment on an older female patient who was recently admitted. She had fallen in her bedroom and was awaiting the results of her CT scan. She was very distraught and emotional about the situation as she sat in her bed. A little nervous myself, I sat down and expressed empathy through listening to her concerns. We talked about her daughters, her husband, and herself. She expressed how frightened she was that this was her third fall this year and how her health is deteriorating. I ensured the patient, as well as, educated her about some precautions that will help eliminate the risk of falling. I encouraged her to enhance her physical, mental, and spiritual responsibilities through various activities. I expressed compassion by guiding her through these difficult times. This process proved to be effective as the patient demonstrated a more relaxed demeanor.
Reflecting on this experience, it was not particularly perfect. I was timid and quite to start the conversation. As it went on, I started to gain confidence and was efficient and effective with my communication. Next time, I would look to build off this experience to help ensure other patients who are dealing with issues. I will actively listen and express empathy and compassion through my communication. In doing so, will provide comfort and acceptance of the patient. I will also keep in mind the 10 Caritive factors that are apart of Watson’s Theory. This will ensure that the patient is able to trust me with what they are telling me in a nonjudgmental and honest way. This is the standard for all nurse’s regardless of where they are located or what they are practicing.
Nurse’s everywhere are very different yet very similar. They can all come from different backgrounds but all focus on the well-being of the patient. They hold the needed qualities to provide effective and efficient patient care. Compassion and empathy are two of the most vital qualities that each nurse holds. It is these qualities that comfort, support, and give a sense of self to patients during a very critical time in their life. Patients are more than just paying customers. Patients are people who have loving families and emotions. They are citizens of our community that work for the better of others. They are the people who come to us in search of help and it is the job of the nurse to protect them.
References
Jeffrey D. (2016). Empathy, Sympathy and Compassion in Healthcare: Is There a Problem? Is There a Difference? Does it Matter? Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 109(12). 446-452. doi:10.1177/0141076816680120
Rexroth, R., & Davidhizar, R. (2003). Caring: Utilizing the Watson Theory to Transcend Culture. Health Care Manager, 22(4), 295-304.
How I Made a Difference
The first clinical rotation of my nursing career was more than exceptional. I reinforced procedures learned in class, learned new hands on techniques, and built communication strategies with patients. This experience will be the foundation of my nursing career and I will look to build off it. Not only did I reinforce my techniques, I also managed to help and make a difference in a patient.
I was performing my bedside assessment on this little old lady. She was the sweetest and kindest patient I had. We talked about the Portland campus and how my nursing education was going. In doing so, I cracked a couple of funny comments about nursing school, and she chuckled. I explained to her that it was my first ever clinical experience and to just bear with me through this process. I was a little nervous but also excited to take what I have learned in the lab and practice it in person. I started with the neurological exam and moved down to the rest of the
body. I auscultated her heart and lungs, palpated her abdomen, and examined her skin. Through the exam I gained confidence. I provided descriptions, education, and reasoning with each movement and analysis. I was as thorough and informative as I could be. With this, the patient gained the greatest outcome of it all. Once I finished, the patient was grateful. She said that I was the first person to tell her why they were doing these tests. She was amazed as to how complex
the human body was. She did not know about capillary refill, skin turgor, or even pedal pulses. I was the most informative person to who her as she gained knowledge and understanding of how these things work. I thanked her as I finished the exam for being supportive through my first assessment. She thanked me back for teaching her these new topics. I left the room and never saw her again.
The situation could be small or large but no matter what, it is important to make a
difference. The small conversation I had with this patient will go with her through the rest of her life. As little as it can seem to many people, it is as great as anything to the patient. Things aren’t going to be easy at times in the nursing profession, but it is important to take a step back and observe the greatness that nurses do and to reflect on the influence you have on people.
Medication Reconciliation Reflection
Doing the medication reconciliation was very interesting to me. I learned a lot about my family history as well as some of the medications they use. It is interesting to see why a doctor decided to prescribe these and see how they work together with other prescribed medications. A lot of the safety concerns with my patient were the same. It made me think they would have a greater possibility to see these adverse effects. Yet, this was not the case. The main safety concerns seen was headache, dizziness, and nausea. These symptoms are typical for a lot of medications and are seen in a lot of patients. An important aspect that was noted is that the patient required reading glasses to read. I mentioned to the patient that they want to always have their glasses when they are going to take their medications. This will limit the risk of double dosing or missing a dose by taking the wrong medication. The patient had a full understanding of what each medication was for, how to take the medication, adverse effects of the medication, and surrounding teachings of the medication and condition. The patient was on four different medications in which the goal was to lower blood pressure. Upon review, the patient stated that it was the only combination of medications that would stabilize and keep the blood pressure in normal range. It is important that the patient knows what medications they are on and what they are used for so that they are trying to diminish the underlying condition. With all of this, there was no serious drug to drug interaction that the patient had. The medications all fell under a moderate consideration but no serious interactions. Then patient was very responsive and receptive to teachings that included a nutritional reboot, increased exercise, as well as reducing stress. I hope to follow up soon with the patient to see how they are handling the goals set to help the patient live a healthy and happy life.
Nursing in Art
In this piece of art, the artist is detail oriented to the brush stroke. They are careful to select certain colors such as blue that is cool and inviting. The painting is very welcoming and demonstrates compassion and care. Nurses embody all of these qualities and it reflects on their care of the patient. Having the hands centered of the painting catches the eyes first and draws your attention. As the viewer, I think of nurses and how nurses put so much care and effort into patient care. Nursing is an art in which careful decisions and precise measurements must be made in order to provide proper care. Like the artist, nurses have to decide what is best for the patient where the artist has to decide what is best for the painting. Assessing imperfections can also be contrasted to the two professions. Nurses have to examine the patient with due diligence like the artist has to assess color schemes and tools to create a painting. Nursing involves a lot of time and care likewise to an artist. The nursing profession in numerous ways is an art. Things do not come easy nor are they always hard. Nurses have the main focus on the well being of the patients and try everyday to achieve proper health. It takes special skills such as observational skills, avoiding bias, and the continuation of research to be exceptional in both professions. Nursing to me is very important and special. I appreciate that I have the opportunity to protect and care for people who are in need. I respect all of the wholesome qualities that nurses hold and reflect on the patients. I am excited to be able to put my knowledge to the test in critical situations.
Reflection of NL Modules 3 & 4
Knowledge & Clinical Judgement
Module 3 was very beneficial and helped me through making nursing judgements. The module dove into procedures, ethic issues, and legal issues. It was interesting to learn about specific circumstances and beliefs each patient could have. It is important to keep ethical issues in mind at all times when providing care. The module also went into different thinking strategies to be successful in the work environment. In the nursing profession, these strategies and thoughts will come in handy as it includes important things to keep in mind when practicing.
Priority-Setting Framework
Module 4 brought new information and ideas to think about when proving care. Ultimately, decisions can be assessed based of off Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. It walked through what types of patients should be seen first and how to make that decision. This skill is important when it comes to dealing with multiple patients who are dealing with complications. The module dove into the ABC’s of patients and was very interesting to read about. I also learned about safety skills and ways to prevent risks. This module was very beneficial and helped me with decision making when it comes to patients.
Reflection of NL Modules 1 & 2
Module 1: Testing & Remediation
This module was very important and informative when it comes to my educational and professional career. The test taking strategies that was included in the module was extremely useful. It taught me to eliminate specific trick answers that are there to trip up a student taking the exam. It taught me to go through the stages of the question and to critically think what it is actually asking. The module also touched up on testing conditions as well as the format of questions given. This proves a better understanding of the process which will cut down on unneeded stress and anxiety. These strategies and methods will ultimately help when it comes to taking class exams as well as the NCLEX. In the nursing profession, I have enhanced my ability to think through difficult questions that can be presented to me as a health care provider.
Module 2: Nursing Concepts
This module was like an introductory module to concepts within the nursing profession. It walked me through topics such as safety, priority setting, and professionalism. These techniques and concepts shown will help me as a nurse provide excellent patient centered care. The module taught me how to provide quality care while collaborating with other members of the health care team. I can now provide for my team and the patient efficiently and effectively through these known concepts.
Response to Theresa Brown’s Critical Care
Life is an ever changing thing. It is fast paced, difficult, and challenging yet, we all get through it. Nursing embodies this essence of what it means to be alive. They deal with death, they deal with new life, and they deal with everything in between. Nurses hold this strong power and courage to deal with these things with compassion and care. Theresa Brown’s book, Critical Care, tells the compelling story of her life as a nurse. She goes through the ups and downs as you would expect, but captures the pureness that the job entails. We learn about the love hate relationship, death, power hierarchies, and the true meaning of being a nurse.
The love hate relationship in the nursing field can be seen in everyone. Brown uses the poem Catullus: Odi et Amo by Frank Bidart as a way to show a comparison between her livelihood in nursing to a poem. I can clearly see and understand how one can love yet hate their career in nursing. The job entails ups and downs from helping a father get back on his feet allowing him to play with his children, to watching a cancer patient lose their battle. Nursing calls for this duality within the job. You care for your patients as if they were one of their own, yet that alone will not cure them of their disease. The loving aspect comes when you are creating a connection with your patient. You work with them and watch them grow as they succeed their goals. The hatred part of nursing comes when your patient passes away or when you can see them deteriorating. This part is hard as your own heart aches because you treated them like your own. Nursing is not an easy job. It requires a lot of skill to be an excellent nurse.
The first death would be the hardest for me. It officially opens your eyes to the realness that being a nurse entails. Brown Shares her experience of when she was still in orientation when Mary died. I was not completely surprised when reading this, rather in awe of the realization of what happens. You sympathize with the family while setting up the patient’s “death appointment”. It is a hard part of being a nurse. You have to stay calm and look the family in the eye while a loved one dies. This is not something you want to do, rather you have to do. I am not looking forward to this part, but believe that being caring and efficient does not go unnoticed. This part will not be easy but comes with the job.
Hierarchies are also essential when it comes to the job. Everyone needs an overseer in which they report to and learn from. Yet, this power role is not only between nurses and doctors, but includes patients as well. The relationship between Brown and her patients was seen to be manifested and egalitarian. When Brown was with the patient Mary during her final hours, she had to treat her patients equally. Even though Mary was her “first death” that she was helping, Brown had to tend to her patient looking to be discharged. She said, “From the flurry of preparing discharge paperwork I walked back into Mary’s quiet room” (p. 39). The treatment between those patients was egalitarian as both we considered and treated equally. In a different circumstance, Brown had to look at the needs of all of her patients and decide which one was more important. She says, “In my mind I rank my patients in terms of least potentially work-intensive to most” (p. 63). The planning involved in proper care of the patients is important. Brown had to prioritize one over another due to the timing and severity of her patients. The hierarchy within the relationship between the nurse and her patients can and will fluctuate.
This book is full of meaningful content that can touch the hearts of anyone. One quote that specifically stood out to me was, “perhaps if our bodies vanished when we died, death would be easier; part of the puzzlement of death is that the body stays, but the person we knew and loved will never come back” (p.86). When you really dissect and think about this quote, you realize the truthfulness behind it. I have always asked myself this same question as to why their body is there, yet the individual we love is not. There are many religious beliefs as to what happens, yet no one has a direct answer. It really makes you think how our lives are so special. No individual is the same and you should always appreciate the gift of life.
Nursing will forever be a challenging field to work in. As hard as it can be, the reward of what you are doing pays off more than anything else. You connect, share, and form relationships with patients as you help them to recovery. I could not be more glad that I decided to become a nurse. I get a special opportunity to grow into someone special who gets to help the world, one patient at a time.
Brown, Theresa. Critical Care: a New Nurse Faces Death, Life, and Everything in Between. HarperOne, 2011.
