Behaviors which reflect altruism are showing an understanding of cultures, beliefs, and perspective of others, advocating for patients, taking risks on behalf of patients, and mentoring other professionals. Autonomy according to Taylor is the right to self-determination (2008). The nurse must respect the patient’s rights. The nurse should listen and act according to the patient’s wishes and needs not bullying him into cooperating with his treatment plan. The nurse shows such value by planning care in partnership with patients, honoring the right of patients to make decisions about healthcare, and providing information so that patients can make informed choices.
Not only that, to provide an atmosphere that promotes healing, as well as a therapeutic relationship. We as nurses must build that rapport with our clients because we want them to trust us. If there is no trust with the clients there truly is no room for nursing care. Based upon my philosophy, I feel that Florence Nightingale provides some very valid points needed in providing appropriate care. Nightingale set the standards when it comes to providing nursing care.
The nurse can now empathize with the patient and gain an understanding of their experience; enabling the nurse to individualize a care plan for their patient (Appleton, 1993). With trust in the nurse the patient believes the nurse has their best interest at heart and will be open to information they are given. Also the nurse believes in the patient and that they will take the information given and commit to making him or herself better (Appleton, 1993). In order for the patient-nurse relationship to reach this level the nurse must put in the time to get to know the patient and give their best when they are with the patient (Appleton, 1993). This shows the patient that as a nurse you truly care for their
It is of high importance in health care due to the fact that nurses often care for vulnerable patients who may not be able to advocate for themselves in time of needs. Nurses must show patient advocacy by assisting the patient to choose decisions that are beneficial to the patient as well as informing them of their rights (Cole, Wellard, & Mummery, 2014). Because an individual has a right to self-determination and the freedom to choose what is best for themselves, patient advocacy that involves informing the patient should always be done in a professional manner with respect, honesty and dignity (Hanks, 2008). And nurses must show empathy and support of the decision a patient makes. It is also important for nurses to respect and encourage a patient advocacy and continue to ensure the choices of their patients are honored and respected despite of their opinions or beliefs on about them.
According to code of ethics, all nurses should value the class of care for all people that could be to self or the receiver of the service (Epstien & Turner, 2015). Healthcare professionals should keep in mind that they are totally responsible for the decisions they take for someone’s health and they should accept their responsibilities to ensure that they have the knowledge and experience to provide safe treatment to the patient (Izumi, Nagae, Sakurai, & Imamura, 2012). As a healthcare professional, nurses are allowed to join in the decision regarding any patient’s care plan. Another code of ethic for a healthcare professional is to value respect for self and for others (Morin, 2015). It is important for them to respect the dignity of the patient and maintain their dignity as well in the context of health care.
The National Patient Safety Foundations defines a quality patient advocate to be “…someone you trust who is willing to act on your behalf…who can work well with other members of your health care team.” (NPSF) As a patient advocate there will be an intervention that the patient wants to better their life, whether that is starting treatment, modifying interventions, or ending treatment. A nurse’s job is to supply knowledge about patient’s individual case in order for them to make an educated choice. A caring nurse will give their patient’s all the information including any and all approaches to circumstances. If a topic is beyond the scope of nursing practice it is up to the nurse to find someone who can give their patient’s correct information and ensure that all questions were answered. A
Autonomy is another value that I cherish in patient care. Autonomy is descried as giving control and right to the individual to make choices (Cherry & Jacob, 2013). This is so important because nobody wants to lose their ability to make choices and make decisions. Autonomy is letting the patients make their decisions concerning their diagnosis and how health care is provided for them. To me giving the patient the ability to exercising autonomy is empowerment.
The theory that Hildegard Peplau created was the importance of nurse-patient relationships (Smith & Park, 2015, p. 68). Both of these theories put the patient’s safety and care first. When I am at work I try to form a healthy and healing relationship with all my patients. I also make sure the environment that they are in is conducive to healing,
Integrity is essential for nurses to perform their tasks and still follow their own values. Nurses with integrity will be honest with the care they provide and take responsibility for their actions. Autonomy is what allows nurses to make decisions for their patients. Nurses must use their knowledge of nursing to make a choice that is best for their patient. Nurses who demonstrate altruism provide quality care to every patient they treat.
The language of communication should be at the level of the patient, although they are not able to assess scientific knowledge, communication should be shared in a way they can understand. Being frankness and honesty is another important successful communication between nurses and patient. Communication should leave the patient without any suspicions, doubts, and misunderstanding. Communication is unidirectional, but it is the nurse and healthcare professional duty for proper conduct. Every patient has different defense mechanisms that help him or her cope with the situation.