Working as a nurse is a hard job. Except for the medical education, some other qualities are essential for this occupation. I am talking about the “ presence of mind, gentleness of heart and touch, accuracy, memory, observation, and forethought source” (Wood, 1878). Also, such features as an excellent communication, attentiveness to details, physical and mental endurance, and organizational skills are essential for the qualified nurse. I.e., there are two patients who have experienced a heart attack. Currently, the patients are doing well, but without proper treatment their health will be in danger again. I must provide an efficient care for both.
Firstly, I need to know my patient’s family situation: whether they have a spouse, relatives, or kids and how close they are. This information is important for providing better care. E.g., Mr. John Murdock is at his 60’s and he has a big family: two sisters, a wife, a daughter, and a son. There is no need to look after him all the time because his relatives visit him every day to provide corresponding moral support. I am just implementing the necessary medical procedures. The fact Mr. Murdock is regularly attended by his family allows me to spend more time with Mrs. Margaret Scott, aged 43, whose family situation is not so nice. She is a widow, and has only a sister and a daughter. The last one studies now in another country. Her single visitor is her sister Jenny, but due to the job, she doesn’t have much time to take care of Margaret. So, I assumed this situation before deciding to fully support her.
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Now it is clear that information about patient’s family situation helps me to provide better care for them. However, this data need to be gathered firstly. The best method for doing so is the informal conversation without any paper and pen in hand. Such type of interaction is the most natural. It helps to build trust between people. It does not work sometimes due to the different tempers of the patients, but still it is better than forcing a person to consider himself a lab rat.
Reference
Wood, C.J. (1878). A Handbook of Nursing for the Home and the Hospital . London: Cassell.
