2 CORE VALUES
Core Beliefs & Values
It is well known to those who have gotten a view of the nursing profession that it requires a variety of skills and competencies. Narrowing them down can be more difficult, however below is a statement and explanation of those that I believe to be core values, essential to this career.
A Statement On My Values
As a nursing student in my first semester, still in my early stages of exploring all that this career entails, I am able to reflect on my core values as a result of the experiences I have gained throughout my life, which I believe will carry me through and assist me in caring for my patients in the future. Understanding that values are central to ethical practice, I am absolutely certain that initiative, empathy, selflessness, and accountability are at the heart of this profession, and that one must possess these values in order to care honestly and holistically for those in need.
Initiative
To me, showing initiative means conveying the ability to take charge of a situation, as well as a willingness and excitement to learn new things. Since nursing is an ever-changing and evolving career, one who wishes to provide the best care they can must show an inclination to approach new and unfamiliar situations with an open and ready mind, in order to increase their understanding of patient care and support. Initiative does not only include seeking new situations, but requires one to also continuously seek feedback for their actions, and apply it to their daily practice. Overall, initiative can improve nurse performance, nurse-patient relationship building, and patient satisfaction and experience. As such, it is a indispensible value for a nurse to display.
EMPATHY
I view empathy in nursing as the most vital foundation upon which to build the essential nurse-patient relationship, which is imperative for holistic care. Actively listening to patient concerns, acknowledging their feelings (both positive and negative, and even in between), making an effort to understand their situation, and forming connections with your patients are all effective nursing care actions that stem from empathy, allow a trusting bond to form and promote patient wellbeing.
SELFLESSNESS AND BENEFICENCE
I view being selfless as also understanding the values of beneficence, in that you want to do good for others. In nursing, selflessness and beneficence mean putting aside your personal beliefs and values regarding various situations, and providing the same, equal care as you would to a patient whose lifestyle you agree with, to one whose lifestyle you may not agree with. It is understanding the needs of a patient in a medical sense, and doing all that you can to foster an environment in which they have the ability to recover, in the most effective way possible. Overall, to display these values in practice, you must actively respect and adhere to the code of conduct that you took on when you decided to become a nurse, and act every day without intent of personal gain or the expectation of praise.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability is a value that is built on honesty and maturity. It is a requisite for the nursing profession because it aids in ensuring patient safety and promoting trust in the workplace. A nurse showing accountability in the healthcare setting can include raising concerns, acknowledging mistakes, no matter how small or big they are, and documenting all actions, ensuring they are timely, and only when they have actually been performed. While there are numerous more ways for nurses to demonstrate accountability, they all involve taking the responsibility of having difficult conversations, even in the face of fear of confrontation or punishment, as patient safety is your top priority.