Traditionally, nurses did the caring while medication did the curing. However, this has changed since nurses started performing both the caring and curing processes. This gradually resulted in the distinctions made between healing and curing. Curing is primarily related to the scientific way of making a case recover from illness. It is a division of the healing course (Barnum, 2003). Conversely, healing not only involves technological analysis, but also the mental and empathetic understanding of the wholeness of the patient.
The curing process follows specific, predictable procedures contrary to healing which employs creativity. Working with plastic surgeons and observing how they operate on patients clearly outlines the difference between the two concepts. The thought of the process of plastic surgery and the expenses incurred plague many patients who contemplate walking into the surgery room. There is a situation of a patient who was undergoing a breast reduction operation. It resulted in surgery effects characterized by tetchiness and loss of concentration, which she complained about. The healing process was not administered as the doctors believed that they had already performed their duties. She also complained about depression and anxiety and was later referred to another department for treatment which could have been easily administered by the same surgeons. Their relationship with the two did not create a wholesome environment for the healing process. For example, they could create humor about the operation by asking her whether she felt more attractive, or how light she felt. Such a relationship, which involves the mind and body, is part of the healing process which is exceedingly neglected in the pursuit of healing. Lessening the patient’s discomfort after surgery is a necessary part of the process.
Western medicine reflects healing as a system of pumping medicine in a patient. Complementary traditions approach nursing as a process that involves physical, spiritual, and mental wholeness (Mills, 2009). Doctors sometimes forget that part of the curing process is unpleasant. Stretching, massaging, and even applying some sense of humor go a long way in helping the healing process. Sometimes a person gets nausea just by approaching a medical facility, or the thought of meeting nurses who are just interested in giving medicine rather than overseeing healing.
The difference between healing and curing rests on the relationship between the patient and the general practitioner. Some forms of healthcare like CAM are not classified under established medicine. There are some repercussions for both nurses and patients when healing is prioritized in the tending process. Holistic care looks at the patient’s well-being in every characteristic through the practice of complementary and other forms of healing (Popoola, 2003). Considering the patient’s physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs makes nursing a process of caring rather than just treating an ailment.
For the patient, healing awakens a deeper understanding of personality, which creates a more positive attitude to recovery. Healing is therefore more involved with the person than the malady. There are instances of people healing without in reality recovering from illness. Some healers entirely lack any formal medical credentials (Barnum, 2003). There are emotions which are stored in the body which can be released through forms of healing like massage and therapy.
The relationship nurses get from healing patients gives them satisfaction in their careers. The healing therapies are sometimes not taught in nursing programs, and it is worthy to possess the therapeutic qualities. Listening to the patient and family members must be given priority by the nurse, apart from her procedural duties of consulting physicians or administering medication (Wang, 2000). The nurse must thus teach the family members how to relate with their kin and share faith to accomplish healing.
Works cited
Barnum, B. (2003). Spirituality in nursing: from traditional to new age. New York: Springer publishing company.
Mills, J. (2009). The difference between healing and cure. The messenger: a guide too life’s adventures. Web.
Popoola, M. (2003). Complementary therapy in chronic wound management: a holistic caring case study and praxis model. NCBI. Web.
Wang, C. (2000). Knowing and approaching hope as human experience: implications for the medical-surgical nurse. BNET: health care industry. Web.