Nursing is a process that entails the care of patients with care and responsibility. While the basic qualities of empathy, care, and sincerity are important components of nursing practice, it is essential to develop “critical thinking skills” to become a successful nurse (Alfaro-Lefevre, 2009). It is therefore vital for prospective nurses to gain and learn the important principles of nursing and to be able to apply them in practice to achieve enhanced outcomes in practice. By taking a comprehensive course in nursing, I will be able to “develop, practice, and refine” my abilities to be able to function optimally in the nursing situation by using critical thinking skills (Alfaro-Lefevre, 2009).
The field of nursing is a distinct field with diverse situations and circumstances in which nurses are expected and ought to function effectively and efficiently which is why a comprehensive course in nursing is essential for me to develop the necessary skills and learn the required tools which are vital for the efficient practice of nursing. Nursing involves the important process of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation,n and evaluation (Alfaro-Lefevre, 2009). Nurses are required to develop knowledge and understanding of a logical and systematic nursing process, which would enable them to serve on the basis of a critical thinking model (American Nurses Association, 2004). I want to become a nurse because I feel competent enough to provide care and treatment to people who are ill and need professional attention. The profession of nursing entails certain specific behaviors to care for and attend to patients such as the “willingness” of a nurse to care for patients. Willingness actually refers to the “choice” which an individual makes in order to care for patients and this entails the importance of marinating the client at the center of the nursing process so that decisions are taken keeping the clients’ or patients’ best interests at the center (Alfaro-Lefevre, 2009).
An important area of concern for nurses is the privacy and confidentiality factor of clients in addition to “respect” for “values, beliefs and individuality’ (Alfaro-Lefevre, 2009). Nurses are expected to focus on their clients and provide them with additional attention and care, especially when patients become chronically ill and serious due to deteriorating health. Most importantly, nurses are required to maintain healthy lifestyles themselves since only by staying healthy would they be fit enough to provide the necessary care and treatment to their patients with care and devotion.
By profession, nurses must have an open attitude without any prejudices, an attribute which I believe to be present in me and which will help me to provide optimal care in this profession. I am an honest and responsible individual with the ability to appreciate and respect values, traditions and differences in behaviors among people. Research confirms the importance of nurse attitudes in enabling patients to respond positively to their medication and prescriptions (Farella, 2000). The valuable assets of patience and compassion are crucial for becoming caring and successful nurses and I have these important attributes which I will be able to hone and develop through my nursing course. Caring and compassion are of little use if they do not have the elements of “knowledge, skills and competence”, which I aspire to achieve through academics (Alfaro-Lefevre, 2009). Another vital characteristic for nurses is empathetic listening, which enables them to listen to patients without any personal beliefs and thoughts which could hinder the listening process. It is crucial for nurses to try and understand the emotions of the person and to try and be as practical as possible in the process of listening. This entails the elimination of any prejudices and personal thoughts, beliefs, or perceptions. However, following the listening process, it is also essential for nurses to understand the real situation and to enable clients to understand this as well in order to promote and motivate them to accept the situation rather than brood over issues.
It is also important for the nurses to “detach” themselves from the patient’s problems while at the same time listening empathetically without letting personal views and hinder the process. This detachment process can be learned and acquired through specific case examples in the academic study of nursing. Through the course, I will be able to use the data and practical experience of other nurses, including in case of studies, as these would be guiding factors that will help me to think and behave in particular ways, when I begin to function as a nurse. The course will not only facilitate me to think in a particular manner but also enlighten me to develop my listening and rational skills without any prejudices. Becoming a nurse is a desire I have had for a long time. however, I need to develop crucial knowledge and skills in order to become a successful nurse, which I will only be able to do so through an academic course in nursing, which will hone my existing skills of compassion and empathy and will facilitate the development of other vital skills of listening, detachment, responsibility and most important knowledge in the noble profession of nursing.
References
- Alfaro-Lefevre (2009). Applying Nursing Process: A Tool for Critical Thinking 7th ed.
- American Nurses Association. (2004). Nursing: Scope and standard of practice. Silver Springs, MD: American Nurses Association.
- Farella C (2000). MIW: Men in white.