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  marcoujor's musings

mar's Desk

​This multi-topic blog publishes weekly on Wednesdays.
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marcoujor: Nursing From the Inside Out

4/25/2018

12 Comments

 
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I've decided to resurrect some 'oldies but goodies' as I re-publish some favorite posts from up to four years ago for the next forSEEable future...

​As I contemplated my life balance over the next couple months, I reminded myself that a repeat / rerun does not have to be a bad thing. In fact, I am usually able to gain new insights from reading something a second time.

​I also appreciate how my reading audience has grown. As such, this timeless post may be brand new to you.

Thanks for reading, sharing and understanding if my replies to your wonderful comments are delayed a bit and on the brief side.

 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​
Picture
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.

ShoutOuts

☙ Cape Town’s water crisis: The reality of climate change in a nutshell via Martie’s Foyer
☙ Be Glad You're Not A Turtle; 7 Ways to Ditch Your Plastic! Via WarnerWords
☙ The Virtual Buskers Guild via flashPress

Until 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.

Reply
Maria link
4/26/2018 07:19:30 am

Thanks for reminding me this is meant for the entire health care team, including the valuable work you do as an adult care giver, dear Verlie.

Reply
Peg Cole link
4/25/2018 09:07:30 am

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.
Your thoughts and teachings on ethics are truly important and as you said, you look for people who already have these qualities. Thank goodness for the wonderful professionals that care.
Love and hugs.

Reply
Maria link
4/26/2018 07:25:54 am

And thank you for this important feedback, dear Peg - family members like you are true advocates for their loved ones.

Love and hugs to you too.

Reply
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!!
Lookie here.....we have both, right here in our sweet friend Maria!
This of course makes you extra special, not to mention all your other talents and virtues!!
(You only have to send me $50 this time.) LOL. I LOVE you.
One of your many Fans! Paula

Reply
Maria link
4/26/2018 07:27:51 am

Thanks for the beautiful remarks and your adorable sense of humor, dear Paula - you and your visits are appreciated.

Reply
Cynthia link
4/25/2018 09:37:59 pm

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

Reply
Maria link
4/26/2018 07:41:21 am

Great insights from your experiences as a dedicates 'teacher of life'.

Thanks for adding beauty and truth to this comment stream.

Love ya, dear Cynthia!

Reply
Mike Friedman
4/25/2018 10:55:14 pm

It is good that someone is taking the time to teach Autonomy,
Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Justice,and Veracity. (Cut and paste, I cannot spell that well.) All these attributes seem in short supple. So, thank you.

Reply
Maria link
4/26/2018 07:43:02 am

These 'big' words boil down to 'The Golden Rule', dear Mike.

Hope you are having a peaceful week. Hugs, Maria

Reply
Martie link
4/27/2018 11:34:46 pm

Dear Mar, I wish I could send this to all nurses working in our State hospitals. Thank heavens, nurses working in our private hospitals have high morals and integrity. For them the patient comes first.

Hugs,
Martie

Reply
Maria link
4/29/2018 04:24:26 am

Dear Martie,

It's tragic to think of nurses who do not put their patients first entering the field anywhere in this world.

Here's hoping that things get better - our patients deserve the best we have to give.

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

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    mar  

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