Who are the patients that we care for every day? They are not just strangers in need of our help, but they are us, our family, loved ones, and friends. The real question is, how do we treat ourselves? Hopefully, we don’t self-harm, neglect, or abandon our own needs. We shouldn’t do this to patients. You might say, “It’s just not enough of us,” but it doesn’t take a fully staffed unit to do the right thing. How do we get back to the basics of the Nursing profession? The most trusted profession.
Nursing
Nurses often face several challenges, such as:
- Burnout and compassion fatigue.
- Time constraints due to heavy workloads limit nurses’ time with each patient.
- Rapid advancements in medical knowledge regarding medications, research, technologies, and best practices.
- Resource limitations to educational resources, training, and support.
- Lack of work-life balance with demanding work schedules.
- Ethical dilemmas that require advocating for patients while navigating complex healthcare systems and policies.
However, when we lead with the Triple Cs: Compassion, Competence, and Commitment to the code of ethics, our patients will undoubtedly reap the benefits. Patients are already experiencing a challenging situation regarding their health. Can we get back to the basics to collaborate, maintain standards, use evidence-based research, respect patients, advocate for patients and fair services, and protect their personal information? These are the Code of Ethics for Nursing taught in our nursing programs. It’s time to get back to the basics of nursing.
Ethics
Nurses work in various areas, from specific units such as med-surg (yes, this is a specialty), critical care, labor and delivery, surgery, and emergency care to specific outpatient settings. Regardless of the setting, the core principles of nursing remain the same. We must uphold professional competence through lifelong learning, foster collegial relationships through collaborative practice, and ensure environmental stewardship by promoting sustainable practices. By adhering to the ethical standards outlined in the Nursing Code of Ethics, we enhance our professional integrity and ensure that we provide our patients with the highest quality of care. We can promote better stewardship and sustainable practices through:
- Being honest with one’s own beliefs and morality (self-awareness).
- Maintaining well-being and self-care and being better equipped to care for others.
- Showing compassion by being empathetic towards patients and providing genuine comfort, such as using a kind word and active listening without interrupting.
- Educating self and patients to empower them to take an active role in their care.
- Creating an environment for healing through mindfulness of what the patient is experiencing, a quiet and clean space rather than the opposite.
- Collaborating with other healthcare teams positively to provide comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of patients’ well-being.
Bottom Line
Nursing is more than just a profession; it’s a calling. It’s a noble calling that requires a commitment to compassion, competence, and ethical practice. By embracing the Triple C’s of Nursing and adhering to the Nursing Code of Ethics, we can bridge the gap between the stethoscope and the soul, ensuring that our patients receive the best medical care and the emotional and spiritual support they need. Can we begin seeing the patients and ourselves holistically? Let’s strive to be nurses who make a difference, one patient at a time, by getting back to the basics, leading with our hearts and minds, and having grace for the hardships encountered while advocating for a better healthcare system through our contribution.
Thank you for reading!
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References
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/ethics/code-of-ethics-for-nurses
