Announcements:

Class material and assignments related to CLASS 3 will be tested in CLASS 4.

As a nurse you head into the storm of people's lives to make a
difference with your hands, your words, your eyes.
No time to dwell on what can't be done in the sea of challenges.
So much to do that is yours alone to insure.
Paid by smile, tear, extended hand, questions in the night, you make a
difference that folds into their whirlpool of change.
Buoyed up by startling courage and endurance, grateful to share in
birth, in death, in trying - and always trying.
You feel the pain but show the hope.
Now laugh, now listen, hands flying, face calm.
And they know they are special to you, different every one.

TOPIC: Caring Interaction

An observation of a professional nurse while s/he is involved in giving care to his/her clients would demonstrate the many ways that caring can be expressed. Caring and demonstrating that caring to clients and their families is at the core of Professional Nursing. When you complete your study of "caring" in this course you should be able to : List 5 categories of Caring Behaviors Recognize behaviors that belong in each of the 5 categories of Caring Evaluate the Professional Caring experienced by you and your classmates. Category 1: "Authentic Presence" Behaviors of Authentic Presence with examples: LISTENS Spends time just sitting with a client and listening to his/her fears and/or anxiety. NOT RUSHING Does not rush as s/he listens to a client and/or family member voice their concerns or unhappiness. SENSES NEED Seems to know the needs of a client. SHARING Tries to anticipate a client's needs through empathy; shared stories thoughts, and feelings with a client

Caring becomes Professional Caring when Nursing knowledge and skill are included in the interaction.

Category 2: "Competence"

Behaviors of Competence with examples:

• EXPLAINS Explains to a client what s/he is going to do each step
• PREPARES Tries to prepare a client for unpleasant sensations s/he may feel during an upcoming procedure.
• EDUCATES Answers all questions.
• FOLLOW UP Tries to explain to a client what had happened during a surgery or procedure.

Category 3: "Emotional Support"

Behaviors of Emotional Support with examples:

• PHYSICAL PRESENCE Spends some time at bedside offering words of support.
• ENCOURAGES Encourages client autonomy.
• REASSURES Concentrates on supporting a client's decisions.
• PATIENT Remains patient and calm with a upset/demanding client.

Category 4: "Physical comforting":

Behaviors of Physical Comforting with examples:

• USES TOUCH Touches a shoulder to convey comfort and concern, touches or holds a client's hand, and/or rubs his/her back to ease pain.
• GENTLE TOUCH When touching a client, is as gentle as possible.
• FOCUS ON COMFORT Does everything to make a client comfortable.

Category 5: "Positive consequences" on situation/ environment/ observer(s)

Behaviors of positive consequences with examples:

• SITUATION IMPROVES Client better off after nursing interventions.
• ENVIRONMENT IMPROVES Bedside area/ Nursing unit/ visitors better off due to the nurse's actions.
• GOOD FEELINGS Observers feel good about what the nurse did.
• INCREASING CONFIDENCE Gives a significant other/observer confidence that s/he will be able to do this too. Gives a new staff member/student confidence s/he has personally chosen the correct profession.

TOPIC : Study Guide

A study guide on professional caring is available here. Take some time and answer the questions presented. The material will be similar to that found on quizzes and tests.

TOPIC : Diversity Sensitivity as a part of Caring

The move from tolerance to appreciation and utilization.

Take note of your own points of view:

This hyperlinked page on World Views will provide you a chance to identify which caring values are important to you. Print out the linked page and we will discuss student answers in class.

Group work:

1. Form groups of 3 as culturally diverse as possible.
2. Using p. 305 find areas of differences between you.
3. As a group pick 5 areas you 3 think are most important for a nurse to discuss with a client when establishing rapport.

TOPIC: The Personal Experience of Cultural Strain

FDU prides itself on appreciating its international mix of students. There are many support services and opportunities for fellowship at the University. But at this early point in the program it is not uncommon for students to feel some estrangement from their chosen college culture. And a person does not need to be from a foreign land to feel like a fish out of water.

Starting an educational program can bring on feelings of being different, isolated, and unsure of the ground rules. Taking classes in a Senior university is a new experience for many in the NURS 1100 classes. Even for those who have taken baccalaureate level courses before, a clash of obligations related to courses, work, and home may be new this semester. Is there an easy fit between your usual study habits, the demands of your courses, and the expectations and behaviors of your teachers and classmates? Are the actions, dress or talk of some students surprising to you? Are you having fun yet?

Personal log writing:

Reflect back over your first days on campus. Write down both positive and negative impressions you have from your experience. For the negative experiences, what ideas do you have to minimize such events?

There is no right or wrong way to answer. The responses will be held in confidence by your teacher, and returned to you next week. If you want to discuss this topic in more detail, there are many different professionals on campus, including your teacher, who are devoted to you having a positive college experience, and are available to talk.

TOPIC: 5 Beliefs

Experiencing professional caring has been shown to support the functioning of the Immune System. In 1993, before medications were widely available to lengthen AIDs patients lives, a study of 165 individuals with diagnosed AIDS showed that high scores in the following areas increased the length of time between diagnosis and death. Note that many of these important areas can be influenced by caring nursing intervention.

• BELIEF THAT LIFE HAS MEANING
• MANAGING STRESS
• PARTICIPATING IN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS
• HAVING A RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
• CONNECTED WITH AN OUTSIDE SUPPORT SYSTEM

TOPIC: Assignments

Assignments to prepare for CLASS 4