Dignity in Nursing
Individuality and dignity are both major concepts in nursing practice. Indeed they are often mentioned in healthcare policies (Suhonen et al., 2009 and Baillie, 2009). Dignity and individualtiy are also basic human rights. The United Nations (1948), acknowledges that every person has the right to freedom, equality and dignity, regardless of race, gender, colour, religion, political opinon, property or other status. This essay aims to detail what both dignity and individuality are, their importance in nursing practice and the nurses role in respecting and catering for a persons individuality and promoting and maintaining dignity. There are, however, many barriers in nursing practice to providing individualised care and maintaining dignity. These barriers will also be highlighted within the course of this essay.
Dignity is an integral aspect in nursing practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008), highlights that nurses’ must make patient care their priority, and respect their patient’s dignity and treat them as individuals. Dignity refers to the esteem, regard and worth both felt by a person and endowed upon them by others (Gallagher, 2004). From this it can be seen that dignity relates to how people feel about themselves, their worth and others. When patients’ come into a hospital they assume that they will be treated with dignity (Heijkenskjöld et al., 2010).
It is important to preserve a patient’s dignity as when dignity is maintained people feel contented, secure, comfortable, in control of the situation and feel that they can make decisions for themselves and have them respected (Royal College of Nursing (RCN, 2008). In a study, carried out by Harrefors et al. (2009), into older people’s views on how they would like to be cared for, it was found that it was vital to the subjects interviewed that they would be treated with dignity until the end of their lives especially in situations pertaining to bodily functions, vulnerabilities and intellectual
Dignity is an integral aspect in nursing practice. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008), highlights that nurses’ must make patient care their priority, and respect their patient’s dignity and treat them as individuals. Dignity refers to the esteem, regard and worth both felt by a person and endowed upon them by others (Gallagher, 2004). From this it can be seen that dignity relates to how people feel about themselves, their worth and others. When patients’ come into a hospital they assume that they will be treated with dignity (Heijkenskjöld et al., 2010).
It is important to preserve a patient’s dignity as when dignity is maintained people feel contented, secure, comfortable, in control of the situation and feel that they can make decisions for themselves and have them respected (Royal College of Nursing (RCN, 2008). In a study, carried out by Harrefors et al. (2009), into older people’s views on how they would like to be cared for, it was found that it was vital to the subjects interviewed that they would be treated with dignity until the end of their lives especially in situations pertaining to bodily functions, vulnerabilities and intellectual
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