Hat1 Task 2
HAT 1 Task 2
Western Governors University
Community Health Nursing
HAT1
May 23, 2013
HAT 1 Task 2
Nurses in a palliative care situation have multiple roles which range from a clinical technician to a shoulder to cry on. They advocate for the friends and family of the dying patient and educate all on positive ways to grieve. The main concerns of these nurses are centered on the promotion of comfort, quality of life and preserving the patient’s dignity. Because each patient approaches death differently, the nurse must alter their care plan accordingly.
Personal Perceptions
Connecting is one of the most important themes in establishing an effective nurse-patient relationship (Johnston & Smith, 2006). This connection with the patient gives them someone to talk to, someone to listen to them, someone that wants to know them as a person and someone that doesn’t avoid them. These things are often difficult for family and friends to do during the end of life stages because of their own grief and lack of knowledge of supportive measures. The author’s decision to return to school and become a nurse was the result of having a wonderful nurse that did just this. The author’s 8 year old niece was diagnosed with leukemia and only lived 6 months after the diagnosis. There was nothing that could have changed the final outcome of her niece but the connection that her nurse had with the family changed the way that they dealt with everything. This is something that the author will never forget and inspired her to “pass this forward”.
When a nurse has gone through a tragic situation like this, they can remember those large and small things that were done for their loved one and the impact it had. Being able to bring this life experience to the situation allows a nurse to connect on a deeper level. This connection assists with enhancing the quality of life and will ultimately influence the course of the illness in a positive manner. Keeping the patient
Western Governors University
Community Health Nursing
HAT1
May 23, 2013
HAT 1 Task 2
Nurses in a palliative care situation have multiple roles which range from a clinical technician to a shoulder to cry on. They advocate for the friends and family of the dying patient and educate all on positive ways to grieve. The main concerns of these nurses are centered on the promotion of comfort, quality of life and preserving the patient’s dignity. Because each patient approaches death differently, the nurse must alter their care plan accordingly.
Personal Perceptions
Connecting is one of the most important themes in establishing an effective nurse-patient relationship (Johnston & Smith, 2006). This connection with the patient gives them someone to talk to, someone to listen to them, someone that wants to know them as a person and someone that doesn’t avoid them. These things are often difficult for family and friends to do during the end of life stages because of their own grief and lack of knowledge of supportive measures. The author’s decision to return to school and become a nurse was the result of having a wonderful nurse that did just this. The author’s 8 year old niece was diagnosed with leukemia and only lived 6 months after the diagnosis. There was nothing that could have changed the final outcome of her niece but the connection that her nurse had with the family changed the way that they dealt with everything. This is something that the author will never forget and inspired her to “pass this forward”.
When a nurse has gone through a tragic situation like this, they can remember those large and small things that were done for their loved one and the impact it had. Being able to bring this life experience to the situation allows a nurse to connect on a deeper level. This connection assists with enhancing the quality of life and will ultimately influence the course of the illness in a positive manner. Keeping the patient
References: Anxiety disorders: description and etiology. (2012). Retrieved May 26, 2013, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare Johnston, B., & Smith, L. (2006, June). Nurses’ and patients’ perceptions of expert palliative nursing care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 54, 700-709. http://dx.doi.org/tp://dx.doi.org.wguproxy.egloballibrary.com/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03857.x Nordqvist, C. (2012). What improves quality of life for dying cancer patients? Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247602.php Pain management for breast cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ww2.cancercenter.com/breast-cancer/pain-management Relation of religion and spirituality to adjustment, quality of life and health indices. (2012). Retrieved May 26, 2013, from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics