Uses and Definitions for the Concept of Caring in Nursing

Uses of Concept The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of Caring in the field of nursing. In considering the concept of caring, the following attributes immediately comes to mind which comprise of, but are not restricted to: kind, thoughtful, gentle, helpful, compassionate, considerate, loving, sensitive, concerned, caregiver. Together these words fit into the philosophies of nursing and the provision of care to individuals, which provide the marked distinction between the profession of nursing and just another job carrying out assigned duties or providing a service for a pay check. Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (1999) defines caring as being under one’s protection or charge like a doctor or caregiver (p.314). The care ethicists “emphasizes the importance of caring as maintaining a relationship no matter the consequences for the caretaker and others; it is choosing an option, but acting so as not to violate relationships or hurt others with whom one is in relationship” (Parks & Wike, 2010, p. 17). Care is expressed as concern for others, their rights, and treating every individual equally (Edelman & Mandle, 2010, p.120). Davison & Williams (2009, Nursing Times) states that, “Compassion, or caring can be viewed as “nursing’s most precious asset” (Schantz, 2007), a fundamental element of nursing care (Dietze and Orb, 2000), and as one of the strengths of the profession. According to Torjuul et al (2007), it involves being close to patients and seeing their situation as more than a medical scenario and routine procedures.” A nurse is required to exercise sensitivity in different situation and to different individuals, especially when dealing with different cultures. “Recognizing cultural diversity, integrating cultural knowledge, and acting, when possible, in a culturally appropriate manner enables nurses to be more effective in initiating nursing assessments and serving as client advocates” (ANA, 1991). The different adjectives and virtues as those note above, can be used to describe caring and particularly in nursing, and expanded to fit the type of care that should be delivered in every area within the field. According to the theorist (Benner, et al., 1999) as stated in Alligood & Tomey (2010), “Effective delivery of patient/family care requires collective attentiveness and mutual support of good practice embedded in a moral community of practitioners seeking to create and sustain good practice…” Every nurse should strive to possess if not all the attributes mentioned but also to formulate healthy relationships with their patients/clients regardless of who they are (because sickness is no respecter of persons whether culture, color, values, beliefs, etc.) that would enable you(the nurse) to deliver holistic and excellent care that would be second to none. References
Allender, J. A., Rector, C. & Warner, K. D. (2010). Community Health Nursing: Promoting & Protecting the Public’s Health (7th Ed.) Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Alligood, M. R., & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier American Nurses Association (1991). Cultural Diversity in Nursing Practice. http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/ANAPositionStatements/Position-Statements-Alphabetically/prtetcldv14444.html
Davison, N., & Williams, K. (2009) Compassion in nursing 1: defining, identifying, and measuring this essential quality. Nursing Times; 105(36). http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice-clinical-research/compassion-in-nursing-1-defining-identifying-and-measuring-this-essential-quality-/5006242.article Edelman, C.L. & Mandle, C.L. (2010) Health Promotion: Throughout the Life Span (7th Ed.) St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Parks, J.A. & Wike, V.S. (2010). Bioethics in a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (1999). Caring (2nd ed.) New York, NY: Random House.

References: Allender, J. A., Rector, C. & Warner, K. D. (2010). Community Health Nursing: Promoting & Protecting the Public’s Health (7th Ed.) Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Alligood, M. R., & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier American Nurses Association (1991). Cultural Diversity in Nursing Practice. http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/Positions-and-Resolutions/ANAPositionStatements/Position-Statements-Alphabetically/prtetcldv14444.html Davison, N., & Williams, K. (2009) Compassion in nursing 1: defining, identifying, and measuring this essential quality. Nursing Times; 105(36). http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice-clinical-research/compassion-in-nursing-1-defining-identifying-and-measuring-this-essential-quality-/5006242.article Edelman, C.L. & Mandle, C.L. (2010) Health Promotion: Throughout the Life Span (7th Ed.) St. Louis, MO: Mosby. Parks, J.A. & Wike, V.S. (2010). Bioethics in a Changing World. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (1999). Caring (2nd ed.) New York, NY: Random House.