Even though the term “nurse” has not always been around, the concept of a nurse has been around since the beginning of time. But how can one make this argument without truly knowing what it means to be a nurse? While doctors, medicine men, witch doctors, etc…may try to treat an illness, nurses care for people. To them the sick are not just an object to be studied, poked and prodded, to be cast off if no cure can be found. To nurses the ill are people who need love, support, and have rights. A nurse is a true patients’ advocate. It is my personal philosophy that when I take on the role of a nurse I am pledging to care for people; healthy or sick, rich or poor, young or old. To me, this is one of the noblest of callings. In an effort to convert readers to my philosophy I will expand by answering the following questions; “What is the purpose of the nursing profession? Who are the participants in nursing and nursing practice? What do you believe about the service component of the nursing profession and how will this impact your choice of employment?” And finally, “How will societies as a whole benefit from your contribution to the nursing profession?”
What is the purpose of the nursing profession?
The purpose of the nursing profession, I believe, was very well summed up by Virginia Henderson, RN, when she stated: “The unique function of the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. And to do this in such a way as to help him gain independence as rapidly as possible” (Whitehead, p240). A nurse’s roll is to look at the whole picture. To not just care for a patient with an illness, but to anticipate potential problems that can come from having a certain condition and taking measures to minimize or prevent them all together. This I believe is true patient care.
Who are the participants in nursing and nursing practice?
If a nurse is going to be effective in their roll I believe it is important to know who the participants in the nursing and nursing practice are. I have always been a fan of the saying, there is no “I” in “team.” Nurses are a part of a team effort to care for patients. There are head nurses, shift nurses, staff nurses, LPN/LVN, and CNAs who all work together to see that patients are cared for in a timely and effective manner. It is, however, sometimes overlooked that the patients’ themselves are part of the actual nursing process. A nurse can care for and teach a patient till they are blue in the face, but if the patient at some point is not willing to accept responsibly in their own care then it will all have been in vain. One of Watson’s 10 Carative Factors is “Promotion of transpersonal teaching-learning” and gives the example: “This carative factor separates care from cure. You educate the patient appropriately while the patient assumes responsibility for learning” (Potter & Perry, p483). A person will not always be a patient in your care, but if you care/teach for them well and they take responsibility, then the torch is passed and your “care” will stay with them in their own actions.
What do you believe about the service component of the nursing profession and how will this impact your choice of employment?
My favorite thing about nursing is the fact that there is a huge service component and it is this that has helped me on my path of seeking employment where I might have the most opportunities to serve. Nursing was something that I had considered for years, but was never ready to commit to; however, I have always known that I wanted to help people. I obtained a degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Lifetime Wellness and was trained to teach health promotion in the community setting. Excited to be a part of the health field I was devastated when I learned that I was competing with nurses for these jobs. My path eventually lead me to Hawaii where I was fortunate to find a job as the Education Programs Coordinator for the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii (NKFH). I did not know much about kidneys at the time, but I have two of them so I was excited to learn and educate others. I was able to set up educational classes all over the Hawaiian Islands, but because I was not a nurse or a renal dietitian I was not allowed to teach the classes myself. Over time I gained knowledge of what it was like to be a person with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end state renal disease (ESRD). When I thought about renal failure and being on dialysis I could not help but compare it to the failure of other organs. If your heart or liver fails before you can have a transplant you die. ESRD is unique in this since that if you can’t find a donor right away you can go on dialysis. Some people might think this is a miserable outcome, but think about when people who are dying experience the feeling “if only I could have just a little more time.” Dialysis is a little or a lot more time and I believe there is true beauty in that.
You might be wondering where the service comes in to play; the service is providing education to the people facing the prospect of dialysis. It is not uncommon for people with chronic disease to deal with some form of depression. I love the idea of helping people learn that life can still be fulfilling even when living with a chronic disease and being “tied” to a dialysis machine. For example; it was not until I worked for the NKFH that I learned there was a cruise line called Dialysis at Sea. The ship is staffed with nephrologists, renal dietitians, dialysis nurses and technicians. This is just one way that people with ESRD can feel “normal” again. Unfortunately, this cruise and other services are not widely advertised. I want to provide service to people with CKD and ESRD by proving hope in the form of education and recourses. The idea of helping to improve a persons’ quality of life through service is very exciting to me.
How will societies as a whole benefit from your contribution to the nursing profession?
I am only 30 years of age, but in my life I have seen and had a variety of experiences. Because I come from a military family I have lived in and visited many different places and have experienced many different cultures. I love learning about other customs and beliefs and even though I don’t practice them or maybe even disagree with them, I still respect them. I think that this is a characteristic that will benefit the different societies I may find myself working in. No one wants to learn from a nurse they fill does not truly care for them or their culture. Not everyone has the ability or desire to be culturally sensitive but I do. I believe this ability will make me a more effective nurse and let me have a bigger impact on the different societies of the world.
I believe it is always beneficial to take the time to decide what one’s personal philosophy is. If you do not do this on occasion how will you truly know what you stand for? I know what the nursing profession means to me, I know that I am a part of a team, I know what I have to offer, and I know why I am doing it. I know that with this knowledge I will be a more effective nurse, team member, teacher, and caregiver. Nursing is where I am meant to be and I mean to make a difference.
(Sorry about the bad formating. It's Bloggers' fault!)