Nursing
Name of Student
Name of Institution
Response
I was impressed by the kind of relationships that nurses build with the residents. The nurses know pretty well about the residents, their needs and level of care they require. According to the nurses, the medical system in the nursing home would be doomed without such relationship as they had with residents. Friendly residents turned out to be part of the nurses’ family, and this became clear upon death of these residents – the nurses typically cried over it. Sometimes the patients pee and spit upon the nurses but sometimes they love the nurses and always want a closer attention. The nurses preferred some patients than others. For instance, the dementia patients were the most loved by nurses. My experience at the nursing home made me realize that the dementia is not a scary ailment as I previously thought. Conversing with a dementia person is merely conversing with a person who is incoherent to some extent. The conversation could be much fun. However, the family of the patient could still hold sorrows at the sight of their once normal loved one. Some dementia patients have since forgotten even the basic activities like feeding, bathing and taking calls. I also observed that a significant number of deaths occur monthly – quite heartbreaking! One resident passed on in the arms of a nurse because the family had no means to handle it. Although the nurses do not naturally enjoy handling the residents, they have to do it because the job demands that.
Response to Question 1
The nursing profession is the most trusted and respected profession. Opinion leaders, for example, always put more weight on the information they receive from nurses. The public also hold dear the nursing profession because it is the difference between life and death in most cases. This perception has made me have influence in a number of ways. I have taken advantage of this reputation to contribute to nursing and health policies, owing to my membership at the nursing board in the hospital where I work. These policies are instrumental in reforming the healthcare system, which in turn positively affects many patients.
Response to Question 2
Being a nurse has not always been easy for me. However, I have learnt to endure the hardships that come with it. I always build close relationships with patients and discuss so much with them. This free atmosphere, as I have realized, enables patients to relieve stress and thoughts of despair. A relaxed mind is a valuable ingredient for quick recovery for a patient. I perceive quick recovery as a successful medical intervention and I feel proud when the patients I handle recover quickly.
Response to Question 3
Firstly, I have learnt that leadership comes from Jesus Christ. This principle is illustrated when Jesus called upon disciples to come with him, promising to convert them fishers of men. In essence, Jesus was molding the disciples into good leaders so that when he was no more, the people behind would be in safe hands. Secondly, I have learnt that I should use the unique qualities I have to influence other people positively. Everyone has some unique qualities, and they should use these qualities to influence others, not keeping silent with them. Lastly, I have gotten the difference between formal and informal authority. Those informal authorities should strive to change it into informal authority where people have confidence and trust in them due to their distinguished service, not simply as a matter of holding a position of leadership.
References
Boss, P. (2011). Loving Someone Who Has Dementia: How to Find Hope while Coping with
Stress and Grief. San Francisco: Jossey Bass
Joel, L. (2005). The Nursing Experience: Trends, Challenges, and Transitions. New York:
McGraw-Hill
Joel, L. (2011). Kelly’s Dimensions of Professional Nursing. New York: McGraw-Hill
Potter, P. A. and Perry, A. G. (2012). Fundamentals of Nursing. Missouri: Mosby
Swinton, J. (2014). Dementia. New York: Springer
Zerwekh, J. and Zerwekh, A. (2014). Nursing Today: Transition and Trends. New York:
Saunders
