Essay On Importance Of Family In Nursing

There are several different definitions of family. Sociologists define family as anyone living together. Psychologists define it as a group of people who share emotional ties. Legally, the definition of family is based upon blood ties, adoption, marriage, and guardianship (Potts & Mandleco, 2012). The most modern interpretation is that family is whomever the client says it is. However, despite the varying definitions, the importance of the family should not be overlooked in the care of a patient. Families have such a great influence on many aspects of patients’ lives. According to Potts and Mandleco (2012), families are the basic social unit. When emphasis is placed on the individual patient and their family is the context within the assessment, this is referred to as “family as context” (Potts & Mandleco, 2012). Throughout the course of this essay, the importance of this view on the patient, family, and nursing will be addressed in addition to its relationship with evidence-based practice and patient safety.

The “family as context” approach has such tremendous benefits on providing quality, patient and family-centered care. Hospitalization can be an extremely intimidating and traumatic experience for young

Furthermore, nurses have a unique job when working beside these families. “Too often health care providers talk to parents rather than with them” (Potts & Mandleco, 2012, p. 87). Nurses need to strive to work beside the caregivers in order to gain as much understanding of varying influential behaviors as possible. This would include their cultural background, valued beliefs, parenting styles, and social expectations to name a few. Despite the demands the role of the nurse has, it is crucial he/she takes the time to sit down and talk with the family and collaborates a plan of care for the