Learning Outcome #1

The first BSN learning outcome states, "Apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision making in order to provide oversight and accountability for the delivery of safe, quality care in a variety of healthcare settings." I met this outcome by completing a patient care delivery system discussion in nursing 4040, and a discussion about caring in nursing 3100. 

Nursing 4040 Discussion: 

“The concept of caring is central to the nature of nursing with many approaches to defining and describing it in the nursing literature” (O’Connell, Landers, 2008). There are many different approaches for caring for patients. After reading chapter 5 in Relationship-Based Care, I found that I prefer the total patient care delivery system. “Within this system, nurses are responsible for the nursing care of the patients assigned to them for a specific shift, but do not have the overall responsibility for the plan of care for the duration of the patient’s stay on the unit” (Koloroutis, 2004). I liked this system because I think it really focuses on the patient-nurse relationship. The nurse is really focused on that patient for that shift, and that is most important to me. This system is partially used on my unit. We also use a little of the primary nursing delivery system. On our unit we have to create patient care plans. The nurse creates them on admission, and they continue on the patient’s care plan until they are discharged, regardless if the same nurse is caring for them. I like this system, but I also think that focusing just on how that patient is doing that shift is also important. Although there are many different patient care delivery systems, I think they all focus on how to best take care of the patient.

Sources:

Koloroutis, M. (2004). Relationship-Based Care: A Model for Transforming Practice. Minneapolis MN: Creative Health Care Management.

O'Connell, E., & Landers, M. (2008). The importance of critical care nurses' caring behaviours as perceived by nurses and relatives. Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, 24(6), 349-58. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2008.04.002

Nursing 3100 Discussion: 

“Caring” to me means being sincere and empathetic. Without a sincere attitude, caring means nothing. Anybody can fake caring; it’s when you are truly sincere that caring matters. Caring is an important concept for nurses. Can one be a nurse and not care about people? According to Blais and Hayes (2006), “caring is a concept central to the practice of professional nursing and we identify it as a core value encompassing altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice.”  My beliefs about caring greatly influence my nursing practice. I believe that the best nurses are the ones that sincerely care about each of their patients. I try to think about each of my patients as one of my own family members, and that helps me to sincerely care about them. I identified with Jean Watson’s Human Caring Theory. “J. Watson’s caring theory addresses caring relationships among humans and the deep experiences of life itself” (Suliman et al., 2009).  Watson believes the practice of caring is central to nursing; it is the unifying focus for practice. This theory revolved around two values; 1: care and love constitute the primal and universal psychic energy, and, 2: care and love are requisite for our survival and the nourishment of humanity (Blais, Hayes, 2006). I agree with both of these values, and try to incorporate them into my everyday nursing practice.

Sources:

Blais, K., & Hayes, J. (2006). Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perspectives (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Suliman, W.A., Welmann, E., Omer, T., & Thomas, L. (2009). Applying Watson’s Nursing Theory to Assess Patient Perceptions of Being Cared for in a Multicultural Environment. Journal Of Nursing Research (Taiwan Nurses Association), 17(4), 293-300

Reflection: 
As you can see from these two assignments, I have met learning outcome #1. The first assignment involves caring and relationship-based care. By providing relationship-based care, I am able to connect more with my patients. The second assignment also has to do with caring and how caring is the center of the nursing profession. Through these two assignments, I am competent in learning outcome #1. I also apply this learning outcome in my profession. I am always focusing on caring, and delivering the safest possible care for my patients.