Running head: WHAT IT MEANS TO CARE 1

What It Means To Care

Tonia Nielsen
Dixie State University

WHAT IT MEANS TO CARE 2

What It Means To Care
Being a nurse is more than just a job, it is about caring for patients. What does it mean to
care? A caring nurse takes time to listen to what the patients needs are. If you are abrupt or
impatient it does not show that you care. Listening also shows respect towards the patient. It is
the beginning towards a therapeutic relationship with the patient.
An aspect of showing that a nurse cares for their patient is by taking the time to listen to
what the patient has to say. Not acknowledging what the patient says and the nurse acting like
she knows best shows disrespect towards the patient. For example, if the patient says she needs
to go to the bathroom, the nurse needs to help the patient. The nurse should not tell the patient it
is not possible because she just had a baby. The patient usually knows best as to what is going
on with her body.
Nurses also need to make sure not to be impatient or abrupt with the patient. This also
shows disrespect and tells the patient what they are saying is unimportant to the nurse. If a nurse
acts too busy to take time out to listen or act like they do not want to hear what a patient says, it
destroys the building of a therapeutic relationship (Davidhizar, 2004). Genuinely listening to a
patient is the key to showing that a nurse really cares.
For instance, a nurse was trying to find out why her patient was upset and distraught.
The nurse asked the patient what was wrong. The patient said that she missed her daughter and
wanted to call her. The nurse told the patient that she can call her daughter. At that point, the
nurse walked out of the room and mumbled that the patient did not need to talk to her daughter, it
was unnecessary. The nurse was disrespectful and did not let the patient call her daughter which
showed a lack of caring towards the patient.
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Thus, nurses need to make sure that they genuinely listen to what their patients have to
say. Listening shows respect towards the patient and will also build the relationship between the
nurse and patient. A therapeutic relationship is necessary for a patients well being. Nurses need
to make sure to listen to their patients.














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References
Davidhizar, R. (2004). Listening - a nursing strategy to transcend culture. Journal of Practical
Nursing, 54(2), 22-24. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/228075120?accountid=27045