Nursing Protecting the Image of the Profession During Care Delivery

How Does the Nurse Protect the Image of the Profession during Care Delivery
The nursing profession remains one of the most trusted vocations, and as a matter of fact, it has been rated as such several times in the past. It is, however, important to note that despite being a highly fulfilling job, nursing is also one of the most demanding occupations. Regardless, nurses ought to ensure that they not only play a central role in the promotion of health, but also work towards helping those under their care in the alleviation of suffering caused by illness. In general, in seeking to protect the image of the profession during the delivery of care, nurses must abide by the nursing code of ethics which, according to Epstein (2015), “describes the profession’s values, obligations, duties, and professional ideals.”
Further, a nurse should, during the delivery of care, demonstrate superior emotional stability. This is more so the case given that, as I have pointed out above, nursing is a demanding profession and could in some instances present situations that are traumatic. Nurses should not let such situations, i.e. the ones that involve death and suffering, to get to personal. They should always maintain their emotional and professional alertness so as to effectively execute their mandate. It could also help the image of the profession for a nurse to have excellent interpersonal skills. This would call for the nurse to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and emotional dispositions. As the crucial link between patients and doctors, the relevance of good interpersonal skills cannot be overstated. There is also need for nurses to have superior problem solving skills. This is particularly the case given that in the course of executing their duties, they are likely to encounter complex situations that they have not had prior exposure to. Proper handling and referring of such situations is likely to protect the image of the nursing profession as far as care delivery is concerned.

References
Epstein, B. (2015). The Nursing Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-20-2015/No2-May-2015/The-Nursing-Code-of-Ethics-Its-Value-Its-History.html