What It Means To Care Being a nurse is more than just a job, it is about caring for patients. What does it mean to care? A caring nurse takes time to listen to what the patients needs are. If you are abrupt or impatient it does not show that you care. Listening also shows respect towards the patient. It is the beginning towards a therapeutic relationship with the patient. An aspect of showing that a nurse cares for their patient is by taking the time to listen to what the patient has to say. Not acknowledging what the patient says and the nurse acting like she knows best shows disrespect towards the patient. For example, if the patient says she needs to go to the bathroom, the nurse needs to help the patient. The nurse should not tell the patient it is not possible because she just had a baby. The patient usually knows best as to what is going on with her body. Nurses also need to make sure not to be impatient or abrupt with the patient. This also shows disrespect and tells the patient what they are saying is unimportant to the nurse. If a nurse acts too busy to take time out to listen or act like they do not want to hear what a patient says, it destroys the building of a therapeutic relationship (Davidhizar, 2004). Genuinely listening to a patient is the key to showing that a nurse really cares. For instance, a nurse was trying to find out why her patient was upset and distraught. The nurse asked the patient what was wrong. The patient said that she missed her daughter and wanted to call her. The nurse told the patient that she can call her daughter. At that point, the nurse walked out of the room and mumbled that the patient did not need to talk to her daughter, it was unnecessary. The nurse was disrespectful and did not let the patient call her daughter which showed a lack of caring towards the patient. WHAT IT MEANS TO CARE 3
Thus, nurses need to make sure that they genuinely listen to what their patients have to say. Listening shows respect towards the patient and will also build the relationship between the nurse and patient. A therapeutic relationship is necessary for a patients well being. Nurses need to make sure to listen to their patients.
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References Davidhizar, R. (2004). Listening - a nursing strategy to transcend culture. Journal of Practical Nursing, 54(2), 22-24. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/228075120?accountid=27045