Introduction
My encounter in which I believe nurse caring was present took place in the cancer treatment ward where Mr Smith Willis (not real name), a patient who was critically sick, was in excruciating pain. The nurse designated to her demonstrated remarkable care and empathy during the interactions, even though the scenario was difficult to bear. The nurse’s attempts to ease Mr. Willi’s discomfort, sympathetic listening skills, and attempts to provide comprehensive care demonstrated her commitment to this approach. This instance highlights the significant influence a nurse’s compassionate presence could have on a patient’s health, particularly when facing a life-threatening condition.
Caring Encounter Components
Halldrsdottier and Hamrin (1997) discovered that a caring encounter has three fundamental components. One is the nurse’s perception as compassionate: an essential partner throughout the cancer journey. Two is the reciprocal trust and compassionate bond that follow, and three is the perceived outcome of the compassionate interaction: a feeling of unity, strength, wellbeing, and recovery. Additionally, an indifferent encounter has three fundamental components: 1. the impression of the nurse as uncaring, a regrettable impediment to the perception of healing and wellness; 2. the mistrust and alienation that ensued; and 3. the alleged outcome of the uncaring encounter: a feeling of unease, dissatisfaction, and fragility. In addition to sincere concern and transparency, the results highlight the importance of skill in professional care and being ready to bond with others. Whether or not to treat indifferent behavior as a professional or moral issue ought to be considered misconduct in nursing and healthcare occupations, which arises from the frequently catastrophic consequences of indifferent interactions with those receiving care. Since, in my case, a caring encounter was witnessed, the components of care are structured as follows.
To build a relationship of trust, the nurse must acknowledge and validate the patient’s situations, feelings, and demands (Rajcan et al., 2021). This process is known as mutual recognition. In Mr Willi’s instance, the nurse exhibited mutual recognition by paying attention to his issues, expressing empathy, and confirming his helplessness. Through such an act, the nurse helped Mr Willis feel more appreciated and recognized by establishing an emotional connection based on understanding and compassion. As a unique individual worthy of care and consideration, the nurse affirmed the client’s self-worth, value, and identity as part of their existential affirmation. In Mr Willis’s case, the nurse gave existential validation by showing natural care for her health and by addressing her with dignity and compassion even if he was very ill. This recognition of his humanity preserved Mr. Willis’s sense of belonging, which improved his emotional wellbeing despite her medical difficulties. A healthcare professional must acknowledge their similarities and bonds with the patient to realize shared humanity. This goes beyond the confines of sickness and promotes a feeling of camaraderie and togetherness (Rajcan et al., 2021). In the patient’s instance, the nurse exhibited an awareness of our common humanity by conversing deeply, being supportive, and rendering psychological assistance in addition to medical care. Establishing trust and confidence between Mr. Willis and the nurse assisted in reducing the feelings of neglect or isolation.
Analyzing the Caring Encounter
In my own case story, all three elements of nursing care encounter were evidenced. Initially, the nurse showed mutual awareness by paying attention to the patient’s pain by confirming her feelings and noting his discomfort. Due to this recognition, the patient and the nurse developed a relationship based on confidence and comprehension, which set the stage for productive dialogue and mutually beneficial relationships (Rajcan et al., 2021). Furthermore, the nurse validated Willis’s value as a person, notwithstanding his disease, by addressing him with respect, decency, and empathy. This gave the patient existential affirmation. As a result, the nurse demonstrated a high professional code of conduct. Finally, the nurse’s attempts to build a deep relationship with the patient outside of the hospital setting demonstrated the recognition of how similar we are. The nurse created a sense of solidarity and friendship during Willis’s moment of need by striking up sympathetic encouragement, being a friend, and giving psychological assistance.
Conclusion
Willis’s story highlights the need for nursing care based on compassion, understanding, and a sincere concern for the client’s wellness. By utilizing the caring encounter paradigm, the healthcare professional managed to create a therapeutic connection that met Willis’s psychological, physical, and existential demands, thereby improving his standards of care despite his life-threatening condition. This experience confirms the significant influence that considerate healthcare providers may possess on patients enduring difficult times.
References
Halldórsdóttir, S., & Hamrin, E. (1997). Caring and uncaring encounters within nursing and health care from the cancer patient’s perspective. Cancer Nursing, 20(2), 120–128. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002820-199704000-00007
Rajcan, L., Lockhart, J. S., & Goodfellow, L. M. (2021). Generating Oncology Patient Trust in the Nurse: An Integrative Review. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 43(1), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945920930337
write