I believe that advocating for patients is one of the most important aspects of being a nurse. In some cases, patients may be unable to advocate for themselves.  Some may be too young to understand or communicate their wishes or to advocate for the level of care they deserve. Sometimes, nurses need to care for patients who are unconscious or otherwise impaired in some form. In cases like these, patients need their nurses to advocate for them and their well-being when they are unable to advocate for themselves. Other patients may be old enough to understand and communicate the type of care they wish but may be overwhelmed by a diagnosis or fear of the healthcare system. Since nurses have a better understanding of illnesses and medical treatments, patients may put their trust in their nurses to make sure they are taken care of and receive the care necessary to improve their well-being

To me, authenticity involves being both honest and realistic with patients. Being authentic with patients builds trust and encourages open communication. Since nursing can be emotionally tolling, sometimes nurses may try to remain overly enthusiastic with patients to hide their true emotions in times of sadness or stress. However, patients can pick up on the true feelings a nurse is experiencing and in these cases, being overly enthusiastic to try and hide emotions can make the entire care experience uncomfortable. The CNO states that nurse must “[advocate]for health equity for all, particularly for vulnerable and/or diverse clients and populations” (Entry-to-practice competencies for registered nurses 2020). I believe it is important to be authentic by remaining professional while also being genuine. Patients can sense when nurses are being genuine and honest, and this may make them feel more comfortable sharing concerns or wishes for their care. Making patients feel comfortable in this way is crucial in ensuring they receive the best nursing care possible, therefore making authenticity in nursing one of my core values.

As nurses, patients trust us with their health, safety and their confidential information. Being responsible as a nurse is vital to ensure that patients remain safe. We are responsible for ensuring patients remain stable, helping to manage pain, administering the correct medication and helping to address patient concerns. Due to the complexity of these tasks, making sure we are competent enough to manage all of these aspects is incredibly important. By demonstrating responsibility as a nurse, patients can feel safe in our care. I believe that responsibility also encompasses accountability. Nurses need to be responsible enough to address mistakes and to recognize where there is room for improvement by being accountable for reaching care goals. On top of this, responsibility involves making informed,  safe decisions when patients’ statuses may be changing rapidly.

I believe that compassion is the most important determinant of the social-emotional relationship you develop with patients and their families or caregivers. By showing compassion, patients can see that you view them as a whole, unique person rather than just a list of tasks to complete during your shift. Being compassionate also increases the level of comfort and support patients feel, which is incredibly important since the majority of patients are in the hospital because they are ill or injured. Therefore, in these times of difficulty, having someone who shows compassion makes a world of difference. By showing compassion, nursing care takes a more holistic approach, focusing not just on improving physical health but also on keeping mental and emotional well-being strong.