Nursing concepts and applications

Nursing

In the heatlh care profession, any nurse or other professional would be guided by certain values and ethics. These are vitally important in terms of promoting the profession as one worthy of its purpose; to care for the health and well-being of others. Hence, the S.P.I.R.I.T. values I have been particularly focused on lately include "Integrity," "Innovation," and "Teamwork."

Integrity refers to the ability to communicate openly and honestly. Such communication creates a basis of trust and the conduct of the self to adhere to the highest ethical standards. In my work, this component is part of my daily work with colleagues and patients. I remember one case in which a minor patient begged me not to let her parents know about her drug problem. I was, however, obliged to let her care takers know, since she was placing herself in mortal danger. I therefore informed her that my decision was based on my concern for her life. I promised not to let any other person than those directly concerned with her know about the problem. After I spent some time to show her the merits of my decision, I was able to get her to accept my decision. Teh outcome was that her parents successfully entered her into a rehabilitation program. Later that year, she came back to thank me personally not only for my discretion, but also for my integrity.

Innovation means that an individual would embrace change and work to improve all the work conducted at the health care establishment. Furthermore, a person with an innovative spirit would discover valuable imporvements that can help everyone involved to prosper. In this regard, I enjoy doing regular research regarding new and innovative methods to provide optimal health care to individuals. In this way, I have found many methods that have improved the quality of care we provide for those who come to our establishment to become well again. Particularly, my managers have been impressed with new computer technology to improve record keeping at our business. By implementing and using electronic databases, I have helped myself and others to save a lot of time and money maintaining patient records. All patients who come through our doors now have regularly updated records including their health, insurance, and payment history. This has freed up many of us to pay more attention to the important duties and obligations we have to our patients. With the resultant lighter workload we are also able to provide a better and friendlier service, with fewer nurses experiencing burnout. Because of the success of these and other innovations I have been involved in, I am committed to doing regular research into innovations and technology that make our lives and work easier.

Teamwork means that an individual builds on the collective strength and diversity of all within the environment. Teamwork oriented individuals work with open communication and mutual respect. In nursing, teamwork is one of the most important components of optimizing health care. In my work, I have been involved as both a leader and follower in teams, contributing my expertise for use by others in their work, while also learning from others towards the imporvement of my own work. Indeed, on most such occasions, I have learned at least one new thing from my peers and/or my leaders. In all my teamwork efforts, I have been able to contribute towards improving the lives of those in my care.