I challenge my students on every clinical visit to learn everything possible through observation and interaction with fellow nurses and supervisors. Nurses, new and old, can appreciate and assimilate positive behaviors and styles that we encounter. Thankfully nurses can also decide how to never behave after witnessing or reading about others' actions with patients. As a clinical instructor, I carefully observe my students' demeanor and style on the unit. I am actively looking for implementation of The Golden Rule - in every opportunity presented to advocate on behalf of the patients. My students enter their behavioral health rotation - identifying their anxiety levels, which range from panic / fear to excitement / mildly anxious. I've discovered that nursing has room for all personalities - shy, soft-spoken, funny, engaging, etc.- as long as the patient comes first. I've witnessed joyful moments - when the most reserved students discover their voice when supporting, encouraging, even fighting for their patients. These are beautiful opportunities for the students to gain confidence and belief that they've chosen a profession that thrives on patient - centered care. Nurses are expected to display Moral Behavior. This requires serious critical thinking about how to treat / advocate for their patients. Traits such as respect, compassion, caring and sensitivity are golden in nursing students - as these traits are more inherent than taught. Nurses have a responsibility to uphold Ethical Principles in all decisions about patients and actions performed as a licensed nurse - as detailed in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. Plainly stated, all nurses have the right to 'think' anything they choose, yet all nurses have a moral responsibility to practice the same ethical behaviors, including... ❣ Autonomy ~ a right for all rational beings to determine their destiny (or appoint another when incapable of making choices) ❣ Beneficence ~ a duty to help, benefit or promote the health, coping, good of others ❣ Nonmaleficence ~ "Do no Harm" to any patient, including physical, emotional, spiritual, financial... ❣ Justice ~ a responsibility to treat everyone equally, regardless of economics, medical condition, race, religion, sex ❣ Veracity ~ a duty to be truthful, including diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis From thirty years ago to present day, I can imagine behaving in no other way as a nurse - actually, as a person. Here, I’ll share an email from my friend and writing colleague, Vicki Warner of WarnerWords, who lives in the beautiful surrounds of Sechelt, BC. Please take a moment to read the article via the link in the title, especially if you are a former student or practicing nurse: Maria, I'm sending this to you because I thought it might be useful info for one of your classes. B.C. nurse loses her job after assuming power of attorney and taking elderly woman's coin collection Image via Bill Kasman of Pixabay. Click here to view his gallery. On the contrary, I have encountered and worked with hundreds of nurses over my career that clearly upheld my 'first and foremost' condition of excellence: 'I would choose this nurse to take care of me (or someone I love)'. Should there come a day when you, as a nurse, cannot apply the Golden Rule, I urge you to immediately re-think your career choice, at least temporarily. If your situation is personal (family, marital, etc), you may need to take a leave of absence until the personal matters are resolved / in decent control. In moments of clarity, should you realize the patients are not your priority, it's time for a more permanent transfer or change. At the end of every day, I love being a nurse - whether directly or indirectly through teaching my students to enhance and express their kindness genes. I consider myself grateful and blessed to still love my work and the people I encounter. Thanks for sharing this painful example and reminder, dear Vicki, of 'how not to behave' with those patients who rely on and trust us so completely. Thanks to my readers for sharing with your circles as well. ShoutOutsUntil next week, sending you kindness and self-compassion,
mar
12 Comments
Verlie Burroughs
4/25/2018 08:50:26 am
This speaks to me mar, working as an adult care giver. These clients are so vulnerable, and sadly there are a few bad actors out there. Thanks for this reminder of the essential ethical code of conduct in any caregiving situation.
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Thank goodness for the ethical behavior of most medical professionals. The story Vicki shared is sad and shameful. While living in the nursing facility, my mother and her sister lost a number of valuable items. Some were misplaced. Others were taken including a brand new, never worn dress I forgot to write Louise's name on. I once found Aunt Louise's medallion on her night stand, minus the gold chain that had been around her neck. My mother lost a couple of rings, one silver one with the birthstones of her children. It had previously been returned by an honest caregiver when it rolled under the bed. The next time she wasn't so lucky. It was not returned.
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Paula
4/25/2018 10:00:07 am
Maria.....Have always had a great deal of admiration & appreciation for Nurses and Teachers. "Good ones" are amazing people ~~and so needed. Facilities of learning would not exist without the backbones of their teachers and let's face it, Dr's couldn't practice without NURSES!!
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Oh, your students are so lucky to have you as their teacher. From your stories and the things you share, AND from what I know about nursing, it is not a profession for the faint of heart. But you know, teaching isn't either. And I've always thought that it would be time to get out of the classroom when I started feeling burnt out: I felt that my students deserved the best of me and if at any time I felt like they weren't getting that, that it was time to move on. Which is what I did. I still work in education, and I'm about to embark on a different kind of teaching adventure, but always, always I know that professionalism, excellence, compassion, doing no harm - all these apply in teaching, too. In any case, thank you for making the difference in the world that you do. Your spirit, your heart, your kindness - all are incredible, all are beautiful and the world is better with your beautiful presence. <3
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Mike Friedman
4/25/2018 10:55:14 pm
It is good that someone is taking the time to teach Autonomy,
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