Tag Archives: nursing

Compassion Comes from the Heart

As nurses, we have the ability to use compassion and genuinely want the best for our patients. We understand our patients and want to help them find the treatments that will support their health. However, not all healthcare providers exercise cultural competence or respect patients’ beliefs and wishes.

We must validate patients’ feelings, including fears about providing for their families. Some hospitals have case managers who prioritize financial considerations over patient safety, quickly sending patients elsewhere if they lack insurance. In these situations, nurse case managers and social workers act as peacemakers, advocating for the patient and refocusing the team on their care.

Cultural competence is key. Sometimes, healthcare culture imposes beliefs on patients, expecting them to accept a specific treatment method. The reality is, patients have a choice. When options are explained clearly, patients can make informed decisions that are best for them.

Healthcare staff need to remember that cultural sensitivity means respecting differences. Just because someone does things differently does not mean it is wrong—it is simply different (Barr & Dowding, 2012).

I’ve seen cultural dynamics in my own management experience. As a manager of a multicultural nursing and social work team, I encountered a nurse with a thick island accent. Her patients loved her, but another manager from England criticized her communication during case presentations. I defended her skills and case validity. Although the manager did not respond verbally, she challenged everything I said afterward. Situations like this discourage employees and can impact team morale.

Cultural competence, respect, and advocacy are essential for nurses. By fostering understanding and inclusivity, we create safer, more compassionate environments for patients and staff alike.

Reference:
Barr, J., & Dowding, L. (2012). What makes a leader? Leadership in healthcare (2nd ed., pp. 32-44). [Vital Source Bookshelf]

Changes in Regulations

Many states want to make changes that will impact nurses and how they practice nursing.  Advanced practice nurses (APN’s) should stay abreast of potential changes in relevant nursing or related regulations.  Nurses already have to take continuing education courses in order to maintain their licensure.  As an APN, the basic requirements that a registered nurse has to take are not going to be sufficient for an APN.  The best way to stay current is to join an association and become a member nationally and then join the local chapter.  Being a member of a national organization will allow the APN to get current regulations that affect the entire country and the local chapter will give the information that pertains to the state where the APN practices.  The local chapters of an organization can provide opportunities as well for speaking engagements where the APN can be involved in presenting a topic that is researched to also expand upon the APN’s knowledge (DeNisco & Barker, 2012).

References

DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2012). Government regulation: Parallel and powerful. In Advanced practice nursing: Evolving roles for the transformation of the profession (2nd ed., pp. 231-260). [Vital Source Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://campus.capella.edu/web/library/home?deepLink=true

Rosie Moore, RN, DNP

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