When I was a new nurse, I had dreams of being in intensive care or the emergency department. I wanted a fast-paced career with a lot of adrenaline inducing situations. I found out rather quickly that wasn’t the right path for me. I settled into home-care a little over three years ago. I have become very compassionate and fond of the mostly geriatric population I serve. Over the years I have grown close and even made friends with many patients. Unfortunately, many of these patients have end-stage diseases and I have had to make the difficult first steps to talk about death, dying and final wishes. The clinical scenario I had reflected on was that of a patient I had for many years that finally succumbed to her multiple co-morbidities.
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As stated in McEwen & Wills (2014) ethics is the “moral code of nursing” or the “service and respect for human life” (p. 14). In my opinion this is the heart of nursing practice. In my own practice past, present and future I try to provide therapeutic touch by either gently touching the patient’s shoulder or holding their hand. Therapeutic communication and actively listening is another important part of respecting our patients. Providing hope whether it be to overcome an illness or die peacefully with minimal or no pain is central to nursing practice. Nursing goals usually are to help the patient achieve independence in their health (Carper, 1978, p. 30). If the patient is dying this will not be an achievable goal. Utilizing the ethical pattern of knowing will help the nurse to decide what is right for that patient and how to acquire that objective (Carper, 1978, p. 30). As I move forward in practice, I will find it important to understand and assist the patients to reach realistic goals. I need to become more comfortable being straightforward but compassionate and approachable regarding death especially moving forward into a primary provider role as a nurse
As stated in McEwen & Wills (2014) ethics is the “moral code of nursing” or the “service and respect for human life” (p. 14). In my opinion this is the heart of nursing practice. In my own practice past, present and future I try to provide therapeutic touch by either gently touching the patient’s shoulder or holding their hand. Therapeutic communication and actively listening is another important part of respecting our patients. Providing hope whether it be to overcome an illness or die peacefully with minimal or no pain is central to nursing practice. Nursing goals usually are to help the patient achieve independence in their health (Carper, 1978, p. 30). If the patient is dying this will not be an achievable goal. Utilizing the ethical pattern of knowing will help the nurse to decide what is right for that patient and how to acquire that objective (Carper, 1978, p. 30). As I move forward in practice, I will find it important to understand and assist the patients to reach realistic goals. I need to become more comfortable being straightforward but compassionate and approachable regarding death especially moving forward into a primary provider role as a nurse