Nursing – The Caring Profession

By Dr Vivienne Decleva

Nursing is concerned with the well-being of the whole person: his/her physical health, emotional welfare and social adjustment.

The primary aim of nursing is to assist the person, whatever his/her abilities, age, physical condition or social circumstances – to achieve the best possible state of health and well-being.

Florence Nightingale’s belief that nursing places the person in an environment in which nature and nurture can best assist the person to reach an optimum physical state is still relevant today.

In the health system, nurses are both the first and the most constant carers. In 1989, Benner and Wrubel wrote, “Nurses provide care for people in the midst of health, pain, loss, fear, disfigurement, death, grieving, challenge, growth, birth and transition on an intimate front-line basis” (p. xi).

Due to the trauma or pain associated with illness, the patient may be irrational, confused, angry or apathetic. The understanding of his/her world may be clouded and his/her concerns may appear irrational and distressing. Anxiety, fear and anger may be projected towards others, including the nurse.

In caring for the patient the nurse maintains a nurturing relationship based on congruence, acceptance and empathy.  If the patient feels that the nurse is genuine,  accepting and interested in him or her, then the relationship is much more than just a relationship, it becomes a healing relationship.