My nursing philosophy started early on in my career, ultimately transforming me into the caregiver that I am today. The learning experiences that I encountered while attending St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing have built a framework of knowledge that I still implement in my everyday practices. One reading, in particular, Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perspectives, by Kathleen Blais and Janice Hayes, presents many theories that resonate with me on a personal level. Nursing is both a challenging and demanding profession; however, there is a multitude of resources available to help caregivers succeed every step of the way.

The theories of Blais and Hayes helped strengthen the connection I had with each of my patients. According to the authors, Martha Rogers’s theory of unitary human beings explains that “the life process in humans is homodynamic, involving continuous and creative change”. Although Rogers’s concepts appear to be complex, I have already been practicing her theories without fully realizing it. I started my nursing career working in a busy oncology unit, where many of the patients I came to know on a first-name basis. I felt connected to many of them through unspoken words. Something as simple as holding their hand or giving therapeutic back care was extremely beneficial to the patient. No words were spoken, but the energy passed through the therapeutic touch created comfort and relaxation for the patients. Many of the people I encountered were in great pain and struggling with the realities of their illness. Finding that emotional support from therapeutic touch varied from person to person, but for most I found it to be very effective.      

During my nursing career, I have worked in a variety of settings. The most challenging place I have ever worked is a level one emergency room. The fast pace and constant turn over made it very difficult to feel as though I was providing the best care. People often complained of long wait times and experiencing a disconnection with the nursing staff. One a busy evening, you were lucky to see your patient for more than ten minutes. In emergency room medicine, patients are seen and treated by the level of triage. If you were in for a minor injury you were treated and quickly released.

It’s was a very different approach from the oncology floor. To have a connection with a patient or family member became challenging. Because of this, our patient satisfaction levels were low. The hospital started to see the importance of nurse and patient interactions and how it directly affected satisfaction ratings. Serving on the unit committee and seeing firsthand the lack of nursing interactions, our team agreed to implement changes. The first thing we did was hire patient liaisons to act as communicators for the nurses. When things were very busy, they could go room to room and help patients with tasks like telephoning a family member or getting them a warm blanket. The next action the unit did was to hire a float nurse. This nurse would not take an assignment, rather they would float between modes helping fellow nurses with medications, procedures or communicating important information to the doctor and nurse. After a short time, our unit started to notice a large increase in patient satisfaction. The patient’s satisfaction survey’s improved and the nurses’ and staff’s morale increased.

In addition to the theories of Blais and Hayes, Jean Watson’s caring factors and caritas closely identify with my philosophy of the nursing practice. According to Watson, “the practice of caring is central to nursing: it is the unifying focus for practice”. It was caring that brought me into the nursing profession. I have had nursing experiences where the element of caring embraces the human spirit and opens up minds and hearts. The ability to show someone you care about them is a powerful message. Sometimes no words are spoken, just one’s gentle hand or open ear can provide a caring environment. In my nursing practice, the power of open communication and a caring environment can be the major factor with an individual’s care. Our interactions with others differ from patient to patient. 

By understanding the different theoretical foundations of professional nursing, I have identified new insight for my nursing practice.  It’s with this knowledge we as nurses can better serve our patients.

References

Blais, K.K. and Hayes, J.S. (2011). Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perspectives, (6th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall