Caring as a Professional Behavior in Nursing

Caring as a Professional Behavior in Nursing

Caring is a social process that entails an emotional obligation to, and a willingness to act for an individual with whom both have an important relationship. Caring is the ethical concept of nursing through which the end is the safeguarding, improvement, and maintenance of human dignity Medical Dictionary (2016, as cited in Townsend, 2020). It entails principles, a will and obligation to concern, information, caring behaviors, and outcomes. The worth of human life is much more than the action of caring. It incorporates devotion and obligation to the patient (Townsend, 2020). This research paper will analyze the role of caring as a professional behavior in nursing.  

The idea of caring is a subject-specific social process whose main feature is professional information, know-how, individual maturity and social empathy for nurses, where the outcome is the safeguarding, encouragement, and the assistance of patients with their biopsychosocial needs Drahošová and Jarošová (2016, as cited in Townsend, 2020). Caring includes attributes and qualities such as sympathy, empathy, concern, thoughtfulness, being considerate, kindness, loving, and compassion Flynn (2016, as cited in Townsend, 2020). To apply care in nursing, the idea is expanded to include a consideration, sympathy, the role of practice in nursing education and experience, listening attentively, efficient communication between patients and their caregivers, making the quality of life better, and promoting independence, decorum, esteem, without indecency, and ethical behavior.

Related to Case Caring

Gustin and Wagner (2012, as cited in Townsend, 2020) discovered five themes that were as a result of analyzing four nursing lecturers who had never heard of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring Science and its applications. The first theme that arose was “Being there, with self and others”. It means that a nurse should be there for themselves and others simultaneously. The second theme is “Respect for human vulnerability” which means that a nurse should value the susceptibility of a patient and oneself and at the same time preserve prestige. The third theme is “Being nonjudgmental” which means that nurses should accept patients, even when the former is disappointed with patient care. The second-last theme is “giving voice to things needed to be said and heard” meaning that patients always expect to hear the truth from nurses, no matter how painful it may be. The last theme is “Being able to accept the gift of compassion from others” meaning that caring goes hand in hand with compassion and mutual trust.

Model Case of Caring

Hernandez (2009, as cited in Townsend, 2020), gave an illustration of a sample case applying Watson’s Theory of Human Caring Science with the idea of self-care by the use of the acronym C.A.R.I.N.G. (Compassion, Awareness, Reflection, Intentionality, Nonjudgmental and Gratitude. Nurses should believe in their intuition and experience. Self-compassion is recognizing, having lenience on oneself, and loving oneself constantly. Awareness is knowing the reality of the moment. Reflection requires a person to deeply think of nursing care with facts, instinct, zeal, individual and aesthetical knowing. When applying intentionality, nurses should ask themselves how they can give their patients the best care and what their motive is. Nonjudgement attachment is accepting that some days, work will be overwhelming, chaotic, and not everything always goes according to plan (Townsend, 2020). Research on caring science has shown that nurses should have control over their behaviors, and hide their feelings. It is unprofessional for nurses to show patients their emotions. Nurses should never retaliate unkind actions from patients. Instead, they should show patients respect and kindness Honkavuo (2014, as cited in Honkavuo, 2019).

Communication

While caring for their patients, nurses should nurture a good presence with their patients. Nurses can maintain kindness by showing selflessness, kindness, and unselfish concern to the patients. Caring science also shows us that nurses should be sensitive in how they relate with others. They should also create a healing environment by being lively, compassionate with how they talk, and caring. Concerning mindful training, when nurses are caring for their patients, they should be mindful, open, and focus on protecting life. Healthcare workers should always say the truth and use words that promote happiness, empathy, and harmony. It is also important for them to support good bodily, psychological, and religious health in themselves and others by deliberately refreshing and healing their mind, body, and spirit. Nurses can also nurture genuine joy both in themselves and others by identifying anguish and practicing the spirit of giving, love, and realization in reasoning talking, and performing their duties (Sitzman, 2016).

Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution in Caring

A new report suggests that most medical errors that happen annually are caused by inefficient communication. Skills that encourage accurate information and communication dissemination and the best quality patient-focused care, patient safety, and teamwork should be adopted. Research in nursing has also revealed that emotional intelligence capabilities foster more efficient communication, encourage conflict resolution, and better personal and team performance. The research also concluded that even though more studies are required, these results show that emotional intelligence ability can positively impact the well-being of patients (NewsRx, 2017).

Conclusion

This research paper analyzed the role of caring as a professional behavior in nursing. Caring in nursing can be best explained, explained, evaluated, and studied in detail with the help of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring Science to get better outcomes. Investigating, examining, and using the idea of caring and benevolent care, may advance nursing education and better a patient’s health. Nurses should continue studying, applying caring in nursing, and researching on nursing from the idea of caring.