This I believe: personal values and convictions

Education: Nursing Ethics

THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE: MY CORE VALUES in NURSING Like so many others, I entered into the nursing profession, at least partly, because I wanted to do something worthwhile by contributing to the health, welfare, and happiness of other people, particularly the ill and vulnerable. My training has exposed me to practicing health care professionals and, sadly, to professional conduct that seems to violate much of what should be the primary concern of everyone in the healthcare industry. Time and again, I saw evidence of people who approach their work as though it were nothing more than a job, instead of a position of moral responsibility to the patients entrusted to our care. I resolve, above all else, never to forget the tremendous responsibility that comes with the opportunity to work as a registered nurse.

A witnessed health care professionals in a hospital setting pretend not to hear bed- ridden patients' requests, because they weren't their assigned patients. I watched nurses responsible for the proper administration of medications skip prescribed procedures -- procedures intended to safeguard patients from harm -- out of laziness and the desire to save themselves a few minutes. For example, skipping the requirement to check blood pressure before administering powerful anticoagulants, simply because the patient's vitals had remained within the safe range for several consecutive days. I have overheard nurse's assistants say that their shifts were over shortly, and therefore, leave their patients in soiled bedclothes and linens for the next shift to change instead of doing it themselves.

Perhaps the most egregious omissions that I saw related to maintaining a hygienic environment and adhering to rules designed to ensure asepsis. Despite very clear hospital (and common sense) rules of cleanliness, I observed numerous instances where health care professionals who must have studied the relevance of Joseph Lister's germ theory in order to receive their certifications and professional credentials ignore everything they learned. Specifically, they failed to change gloves in-between cleaning incontinent patients and subsequently applying ointment to other parts of the body, and handling patients' clean bed linens, food trays, and personal belongings. One several occasions, I witnessed nurse's aides fail to change gloves in-between different patients. I saw a phlebotomist unnecessarily contaminate sterile dressings by careless handling. When questioned, she responded that her method was more time efficient. I also noticed everyone from nurse's aides to senior residents routinely place containers used for waste collection onto food carts, in some cases after picking them up off the floor.

In general, it seems to me that the routine of sometimes mundane or repetitive tasks -- even in the healthcare profession -- leads to carelessness and an apathetic attitude on the part of people entrusted to ensure the health and welfare of vulnerable patients.

Without condemning any of my colleagues for their lapses, I intend to remember the mistakes that I have observed every time I find myself in the same position so that I never allow myself to take shortcuts or deviate from what is most beneficial to my patients just to save the time or effort required to do my job properly.