Erikson's Development Stages: A Patient's Journey Through Despair and Integrity

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My patient’s chronological developmental level, according to Erik Erikson’s stages of growth and development, was generativity versus stagnation. Because of his terminal diagnosis, he had moved past this stage and was in integrity versus despair, a level of development chronologically reserved for the older patient. This was evident in his reflection on his life, his discussion with me regarding his raising of a healthy and happy family, and the various milestones he had met up to that point. He continued to explain that both of his kids had become very successful in their choice of a career and that he was proud of both of them. The most basic of nursing education revolves around the teaching of effective and therapeutic communication …show more content…

Authentic presence, was provided by the use of silence, patience and relaxation. His story was emotional and difficult to hear but, as a caring and supportive individual, I quietly listened to his story and let him vent his feelings uninterrupted through active listening. Maintaining eye contact, reciprocation of conversation, and confirmation of my understanding of his position in life were key factors I used to be involved in active …show more content…

Procurement of this goal involved clustering my duties as a student nurse to aid in providing a comfortable environment with minimal disturbances. Additionally, keeping him informed of his rights and available options as a patient strengthened this nursing role. By choice of my patient, his scheduled hip replacement was to be performed by a physician that solely worked at Holy Redeemer. After learning of his decision, I focused on vocally confirming this to be his personal option. The nurse is to deliver suitable information to patients, families, and caregivers that pertain to their situation. Unfortunately, because patients are not often asked what role they want to play in treatment decision making, their information needs and those of their family are frequently unmet (Katz 2015). It is a requirement of the nurse following the role of manager of care to coordinate the process and preparation of the patient and their family for discharge and, in this case, admission to Holy Redeemer. Providing advocacy for patients, as guided by the ethical and legal philosophies of the practice of nursing, is a crucial role that nurses perform in clinical practice (Tariman & Szubski 2015). Being depicted as the front-line of communication for the patient and keeping them informed of changes in care are examples of how to fulfil

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