Caring in Nursing 1

The Role of Caring in the Nursing Profession

J. Hunter Deerman

University of South Alabama

 Caring in Nursing 2

The Role of Caring in the Nursing Profession

The role of caring in the nursing profession is an ever-changing one. Just as the role of

the nurse must change to meet the demands of the profession, so must the task of caring. Several

popular theorists today believe that caring is as essential to the well-being of patients as the

medications that nurses give. This author personally believes that caring is one of the most

important roles in nursing, and will attempt to show that through this paper.

Roles of the Professional Nurse

The professional nurse of today has many roles. They are the buffer between the patient

and the doctor. They spend more time with the patient than the doctor does, and therefore, the

patient may feel more comfortable asking them the questions they may not want to ask the

doctor. It is up to the nurse to open those lines of communication so that the patient’s questions

can get answered. The nurse is the patient’s advocate.

The nurse is also there to take care of the physical needs of the patient. Giving medicines

and making sure that the doctors’ orders are followed are the nurse’s number one priority. This

may be the difference between life and death for the patient. The nurse carefully documents

everything they do during the shift, as it lets others know the care a patient received.

Nurses are teachers, as they provide instruction when the patient leaves the hospital and

makes sure the patient and their family understand the instructions before discharge.

The nurse not only meets the needs of the patient, however. They also provide for the

family, whether it be with an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on. All of these roles show a great

deal of caring. The nurse shows their commitment and dedication to their patients by providing

the best nursing care possible (Reeser 2009).

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Caring as Defined by Nursing Theorists

Nursing theorist Jean Watson defines caring as a humanitarian science, and offers ten

behaviors that demonstrate that. They are, in descending order: attentive listening, comfort,

honesty, patience, responsibility, providing information so that the patient can make an informed

decision, touch, sensitivity, respect, and calling the patient by name (Vance 2009). These

behaviors should be second nature for nurses, and should be practiced at all times. They are not

complicated, and they make the patient feel like a human being.

Ms. Watson, however, is not the only theorist who has views on the subject of caring.

Madeleine Leininger believes that “care is the essence of nursing, and the central, dominant, and

unifying focus of nursing” (Vance 2009). Her theory goes on to state that the major focus of care

includes individuals, families, and even groups.

Florence Nightingale, the first theorist, used actions to show caring (Dorn 2004). Her

actions focused on the most basic needs; good food, clean water, and a clean place to recover.

She scrubbed floors, and made anyone who came in contact with the patients wash their hands

first. She kept wounds clean, and washed linens, and trained others to do these things too.

When the patient is seen as a whole, and not just as their illness or their disease, then it

makes them feel human. When both the physical and emotional needs are being met, it allows

them to start the healing process. This is the primary goal of caring.

Caring for the family is also crucial during times of bereavement as well. The nurse can

be a great help to families at this time, and should apply the same behaviors to the family as they

did to the patient, along with compassion, tenderness, and respect for their situation.
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Application of Caring in Nursing

This author applies all theories of caring in his role as a nurse on a daily basis. He tries to

model his behaviors after those theories by Jean Watson. He listens, and offers comfort where he

can, provides information, and shows respect by calling his patients by their names.

He gives medications on time, and always tells the patient what they are getting. He is

very patient, even with the most intolerable patients, and he tries to remember that they are

hurting and scared, and show compassion rather than getting angry.

The author washes his hands before entering any room, and he makes sure that there are

signs posted to remind visitors to do the same. He takes the necessary steps to protect the patient

on isolation precautions. Gowns and masks are provided for staff and visitors, and he tries to

group care so he does not have to enter the room unnecessarily. Clean linens are provided as

needed, and the author makes sure his patients are given a bath daily if allowed.

Sometimes, this author simply sits with a patient who needs him. HE sits with those who

are happy, and he sits with those who are sad. He sits with those who have requested to pass

quietly, and he sits and comforts their families.

Conclusion

As this paper has stated, caring is ever-changing. It has evolved from the days of

Florence Nightingale, and will evolve even more in the future. Caring is not necessarily

something one can put into words, but if one is doing it well, others will feel it. It is this that

drives nurses all over the world. This desire to care for their patients, and have their patients, and

families, feel it.

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References

Vance, T. (2009). Caring and the professional practice of nursing. RN Journal, Retrieved from

http://www.rnjournal.com/journal_of_nursing/caring.htm

Dorn, K. (2004). Caring--healing inquiry for holistic nursing practice. Medscape Today, 4.

Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/496363_3

Reeser, J. , & Calalang-Javier, H. (2009). A Caring nurse. BellaOnline: the Voice of Women,

Retrieved from http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43027.asp