Week 10: 3/10/11

Class was very interesting today. The major message I got out of class was that it is important to support our patients in whatever kind of decisions that are made about their medical care. Patients depend on their nurses to support them and to help carry out their medical wishes. While sometimes this can bring up ethical issues, it is the nurse’s role to do his/her best to provide the patient with things that will make their care more holistic. This is necessary even when the nurse does not believe in the patient’s choice.

Supporting the patient is something I can learn as a student nurse. It is now that I can learn to advocate and encourage patients. I have many opportunities to practice these principles in the clinical field. While participating in clinical I will encounter many different people and their opinion on the right kind of care. It’s important to not judge patients beliefs or opinions on their care.

The most important way I can learn about support is by learning about alternative ways of care and doing my best to know how to provide that kind of care. Most often the patient will have to be referred other professionals to get their desired alternative care but it’s important to provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment so that the patient feels that they can confide in the nurse. This provides the nurse with more information and an increased ability to best help the patient.

Supporting the patient is vital because it helps gain the patients trust. Gaining the trust of the patient is something the nurse must do in order to best be able to help the patient. As the patient begins to trust their nurse they will be more confident in the care they are provided and may help them have a positive outlook on their recovery. Often a patient’s positive outlook can help motivate the patient to work harder follow the recover plan.

Another reason it’s important to support the patient and to gain their trust is that they will be more likely to listen and receive the education the nurse gives them. Building a relationship with patients opens up opportunities for the nurse to teach and educate the patient about health promoting activities. It allows the nurse to teach about sensitive subjects that would not be received well by a patient that does not feel supported. It is in the best interest of the patient and in the patient’s future health for the nurse to advocate and provide holistic care. I hope that as a future nurse I will learn to support my patients and help them have the best experience with their care.