Individual Values In Nursing

Nursing in its essence is not simply a career as a medical care-giver but also a counselor, nutritionist, friend, psychiatrist, and so much more. A good nurse, in my opinion, helps their patients not just when they are physically hurting but also when they need mental help as well. They support their patients, listen to them even if just for a moment, so that they feel like they are more than just a person in a hospital bed but a human being. It is my belief that a good nurse holds both their own values and those of their patients at an equal level and respects their patients values as much as their own. In my attempt to understand the true needed values of nursing I interviewed a nurse who will be referred to as AB.
AB has been a professional nurse for nearly 35 years, having begun her training in 1982 and continuing her training for three and a half years (A.B, personal communication, October 3rd 2016). Alongside her bachelor’s degree in nursing she has covered specialties including surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics, …show more content…
AB stated that her “[belief] in nursing is to perform [her] duties to the best of [her] ability” (A.B, personal communication, 2016). AB understands that physical healing is not just about the body but the soul and spirit as well (A.B, personal communication, 2016). Beliefs, in my opinion, can make it difficult to treat a patient without judgement but can also present an opportunity to grow as a person as you are confronted with other beliefs. AB said that while she does not believe that nursing has changed her beliefs and values it has taught her to be less judgmental of other people’s diversities (A.B, personal communication, 2016). Beliefs and the understanding of other people’s beliefs, in my opinion, can also strengthen the practice of nursing as it allows nurses to connect on a deeper level with their patients and make their patients feel more respected in their