NR393-60702: Nursing History-Elder #3

Week 3: Discussion: Reflection on Careful Nursing (Graded)

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is for learners to apply lessons from careful nursing to the original time period and today’s practice.

Course Outcomes

This reflection enables the student to meet the following course outcome:

  • CO 2: Apply lessons from nursing history to today’s professional nursing practice. (PO4)

Due Date

During the assigned week (Sunday the start of the assigned week, through Sunday the end of the assigned week):

    • Posts in the discussion at least two times, and
    • Posts in the discussion on two different days

Total Points Possible: 50 points

Preparing the Discussion

  • Reflection is an activity that involves your deep thought into your own experiences related to the concepts of the week. Answers should be detailed. In reflections students:
    • Demonstrate understanding of concepts for the week
    • Engage in meaningful dialogue with classmates and/or instructor
    • Express opinions clearly and logically, in a professional manner
  • Use the rubric on this page as you compose your answers.
  • Scholarly sources are NOT required for this reflection
  • Best Practices include:
    • Participation early in the week is encouraged to stimulate meaningful discussion among classmates and instructor.
    • Enter the reflection often during the week to read and learn from posts.
    • Select different classmates for your reply each week.

 Reflection Question

Catherine McAuley’s philosophy of careful nursing was applicable in pre-Nightingale times and is still applicable today. Select one of the 10 key concepts of careful nursing. Reflect on how that concept might have been applied in McAuley’s time and how it is applied in your professional nursing practice today.

Grading

To view the grading criteria/rubric, please click on the 3 dots in the box at the end of the solid gray bar above the discussion board title and then Show Rubric. See Syllabus for Grading Rubric Definitions. 

SAMPLE SOLUTION 

Catherine McAuley’s 10 concepts of careful nursing are very applicable in today’s health care system. I chose the concept of ‘Health education and teaching’. I think teaching in the early years of nursing must have been very different and difficult. The role of nursing was not nearly as defined as it is today and times of disease and healing were uncertain. Nurses were often untrained and maybe even unsure themselves. We learned that nursing care, in the ‘dark age of nursing’, could have been provided by women at risk of jail for drunkenness or prostitution. (Chamberlain College of Nursing, 2020) I think it has always been important to communicate what you are doing and why in order to gain trust of a patient and family. Understanding why someone is either giving you a medication, cleaning a wound or another task is a direct way of caring and respecting. In my own practice, I often teach patients about cardiac tests, procedures and post pacemaker or post defibrillator care. Although I also think nurses are constantly informally teaching, my described specific tasks are more direct. When I teach a patient and/or family, it is important to understand their level of learning. Are they awake enough, interested, engaged? Do I need to provide different tools for learning or speak to a family member? In order to make sure that the education was effective, I am also careful to ask questions and listen to feedback. This is very important in a hospital setting where patients may be sedated, tired or ill. Teaching is definitely a concept of careful nursing that is timeless.
 
References: 
Chamberlain College of Nursing (2020), NR351 Transitions in Professional Nursing: Week 5 lesson. Downers Grove, IL: Online Publication. 
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