The Magnitude Of Nursing: The Value Of Nursing

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The Magnitude of Nursing

Nursing has evolved tremendously over time. In the past, there was no formal nursing education, unsanitary working conditions, and little, if any, patient confidentiality. Since then, there has been major technology advancement, institution of highly accredited nursing programs, individualization of patient care, regulation of environmental factors in hospital settings, and enforcement of confidentiality laws. Along with the changing career field, nurses have also progressed. Nurses are now held at a high standard of professionalism, knowledge, and skill level, whereas in the past, they were perceived as incompetent. For example in Charles Dickens’ novel Martin Chuzzlewit, the character Sairey Gamp was a nurse who …show more content…

No one chooses to get sick or endure the difficult times of being in a hospital or nursing home setting. Often times it can become a depressing time in the patient’s life. The “spirit of nursing” is going the extra mile just to see patients smile and to bring happiness and life back to them. It can be difficult to be positive when you witness firsthand the pain a patient is experiencing, but that is what makes a nurse so special. For example during the first Viterbo Student Nurses Association (VSNA) meeting, Mary Lu Gerke, the Interim Dean at Viterbo, spoke about her career as a nurse. During her presentation, she spoke of a day where one of her terminally ill client’s final wish was to hear her son play piano one last time. Although they looked at her like she was crazy, Mary got her staff to bring the grand piano from the lobby up through the elevator. Mary and her staff went above and beyond to pull this all together, and it ended up being a shift they never forgot. Even though it took a little extra work, little things like that can go a long way in bringing happiness to the patient. (M. Gerke, personal communication, September 9, 2015) I found this story heartwarming and felt that it truly showed the “spirit of nursing” and how sometimes, as a nurse, you go outside the box for …show more content…

After realizing the impact she made, she has inspired the nurse I want to be. It takes a special person to be a nurse and to care for others, but it takes a special nurse to do whatever it takes to make their patients experience a positive one. It is amazing how one individual can have such an influence on nursing as a whole. I may not ever have the renowned title that she does, but I want to be remembered by my patients as the nurse who enhanced their experience for the better. For example Zborowsky (2014) explained how Florence advocated for better environment that included quiet sanitary surroundings, light, fresh air, and warmth for her patients (pp.3). I want to be that advocate for my patients to ensure their needs are met and to improve their physical and mental

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