Essay On Concept Of Nursing

• What is nursing? o Nursing is a profession that provides compassionate, caring, and quality health care to those who are most vulnerable. Nursing does not discriminate against age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. In the ANA’s Social Policy Statement, nursing is defined as “the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations (ANA, 2010).” The ideal nurse is altruistic, meaning they are willing to help others, even when there’s no benefit to themselves.

• What is the nature of human caring? o Human caring is the nurse’s ability to put aside his/her own values and beliefs and put the values and beliefs of their patients first, so that they can provide the best patient-centered care possible. Jean Watson, states, “as nurses acknowledge their sensitivity and feelings, they become more genuine,

“Nursing is responsible to society in the sense that nursing’s professional interest must be perceived as serving the interests of society (ANA, 2010).” The social aspect of nursing helps get laws and new standards passed for the betterment of the people when it comes to health care. The ANA believes that nurses have an influence on social and public policy to promote social justice (ANA, 2010). It teaches the community how to take control of their health, by providing education for those with limited health care knowledge. As stated by the ANA, “public policy and the healthcare delivery system influence the health and well-being of society and professional nursing (ANA, 2010).” Therefore, it’s the nurse’s responsibility to step in and not only be an advocate for the people, but also educate the community about the benefits of working together to provide holistic health