Revised RE 2 and Reflection Letter

Jean Baynes

Instructor M. Goodsitt

Writing 101

05 April 2012

RE: 2 Revised with Reflection Letter


How empathic is the nursing profession? Depending on who you ask, I’m sure you will get very different answers. Some may say it’s very empathic, while others may say not at all. I was able to conduct interviews with two nurses, one male nurse who thinks empathy is a learned quality, while the other nurse a female, feels like you either have empathy or you don't. During the duration of this paper you will understand the differences and how they affect nurses and patients in the healthcare.
 

What is empathy? According to Wikipedia the definition of empathy is the capacity to recognize and to some extent share feelings “such as sadness or happiness” that are being experienced by another. Many patients hope to find the nurse that makes them feel like its okay to be sick and no matter what they will be there to assist and understand their needs. During my interview with my sister Joy, a newly trained nurse, I asked her what she thought of when she heard the word empathy. "She stated that being empathic is different than feeling sorry for someone, but trying to put you in their position and being able to understand them. (Baynes, personal communication, March 25, 2012). “Empathy can help a person move beyond feelings of negativity and hopelessness about a situation so that they can start to focus on moving through the situation.” (Sweeney. Par. 1)

First of all, is empathy a very important part of a nurses everyday life with patients?
Showing empathy may be difficult for some, but can also be very easy for other individuals. “How you speak to these patients can be the difference between a scary illness and all-around devastation. I can’t count how many times I have heard a patient comment on how the nurse “made all the difference.” (C. par.5) “It is very important for a nurse to display empathy toward his or her patients. Nurses spend a significant amount of time directly interacting with their patients and, for some, it is the only human contact a person receives during their stay at a hospital.  Therefore, feeling understood and having their situation validated by a nurse handling their case is crucial.” (Sweeney.par.2)

  

Can you be taught to be empathic? You can definitely be taught the qualities of showing empathy, but until you encounter a situation you won’t know what is necessary in order to make it through and how you will respond. "According to Kris, an experienced nurse, he felt that being empathic can be a learned quality, which may come quickly for others, but some individuals may still struggle. Since empathy is a learned quality you can teach it, but it's going to be very difficult to set up a learning experience for someone. With a hand on experience empathy would be easier to understand." (Van Metter, personal communication, March 25, 2012).

According to a nursing student,"Nikki C’s, blog on bench prep she has found out that
the ability to impart this knowledge comes from within. It is not a learned skill to be able to EMPATHIZE with your patients. I truly believe that you either have it or you don’t.
Patients can tell when you are faking that compassion, believe me. So now on top of being a care coordinator, (BOSS!) a lawyer, and a nurse, you are a counselor! I know, the job titles are endless…" (C. par.6)

‘‘Nursing students are so focused on the science of nursing that they might neglect the art, which includes the empathetic communication that is the heart of the nurse-patient relationship.’’ (Ward, Cody, Schaal, Hojat, 2012) The article also suggests certain strategies to be included in the nursing training, like role-play, having preceptors as role models, and more.

“Caring for the sick requires a true DESIRE to help them. It can’t be that you just need a job, or that you look cute in scrubs. These people are often facing their worst fears. They need and are depending on your ability to not only care for them medically, but to provide for them emotionally. ARE YOU READY?” (C. par. 7) I learned during my interviews that each nurse has their own way in which they take care of patients. Just because it works for your fellow co-worker does not mean that it will work for you or your patients.

I have spoken with my brother-in-law Kris, who feels like empathy is a learned quality and you have to the ability to be taught such a great quality. I was able to learn that it is very important that the patient and nurse establish a rapport at the beginning of treatment in order for your patient to become comfortable with you as their nurse and you to gain your patient’s trust. I think that being able to learn empathy is an amazing asset to anyone in the medical field. I feel more training associated with empathy would be very helpful to anyone in a position where this quality is necessary.  “Empathy is also non-observed, a patient cannot tell when a nurse is being empathic, but they know when they are not, patients who feel at ease with a nurse can allow for certain medical aspects to be understood.  Since empathy is a characteristic of nursing it cannot be taught, those who enter this field have a caring nature and nurture complex already in place.” (Sweeney. par. 8)

As a patient, would you be willing to have a nurse who treats you will respect or would you prefer a nurse who doesn't care about you or treatment? Personally, I would choose a nurse that understands your wants and needs and is willing to do whatever possible to make me feel comfortable. So the next time, you are required to be in contact with a patient, think about the way you are treating them and if you would want to be treated that same way some day.  “With empathy comes equality, nurses who bond with their patients and help them through painful decisions give the patient a reason to get better.  Nurses can’t take the place of a patient but they can help the patient feel wanted.  Many people who have to stay in the hospital are scared and feel out of touch with their lives.  A nurse should make them feel comfortable and help them through anything they are feeling.”  (Sweeney. par. 6)

In conclusion, I hope after reading my paper you will be able to see and understand how important being empathic is in the nursing field. Many individuals may still think that empathy is not necessary, but according to patients who need your help they would prefer someone who shows compassion and empathy. I feel that knowing how important empathy is in association with nursing will give me a better understanding of how I will treat my patients in order to give them the best experience possible. I hope in the future that we will be required to continue education with clinical as well as emotional education.

 

Works Cited Page

At the Nursing Station. “Nursing With No Empathy”. Web 08 April 2012.

Baynes, Joy E., Registered Nurse. Personal Interview. 25 March 2012.

C. Nikki. “BenchPrep Nursing and Empathy” Web 3 April, 2012.

“Definition of Empathy.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., n.d. Web. 4 April, 2012.

Sweeney. Jamie. “The Importance of Empathy” Web 20 March, 2012.

 Van Metter, Kris., Registered Nurse. Personal Interview. 25 March 2012.

Word Count: 1256

Reflection Letter

Blog Readers

Writing 101

8 April, 2012

Dear Blog Readers,

I want to thank you for taking the opportunity to read my blog.  I hope that you were able to understand what my research question was about and that I provided enough information so you don’t feel totally lost.  I think that during this project we were able to work with various different writing process outcomes.  I feel that the most important one was Processes, which allows the writer the ability to write several drafts to achieve the best possible report.  During the writing of my report, I had the ability to look up numerous sources and then be able to cite them throughout my paper and provide my readers the information about my research topic. 

So far, I have learned that it will be necessary for you to write various drafts and locate supporting documentation to use in your papers.  As long as you cite your sources, then you will be able to use them in your project.  I feel that knowing this information will be most helpful when I have to write more research papers.

I feel most confident about the conclusion of my paper.  My conclusion is stated below:

In conclusion, I hope after reading my paper you will be able to see and understand how important being empathic is in the nursing field. Many individuals may still think that empathy is not necessary, but according to patients who need your help they would prefer someone who shows compassion and empathy. I feel that knowing how important empathy is in association with nursing will give me a better understanding of how I will treat my patients in order to give them the best experience possible. I hope in the future that we will be required to continue education with clinical as well as emotional education.

I think that the body of my writing most definitely needs the most work. I feel like I’m not including enough information and that it’s not flowing properly.  In the future, I hope to get some more help with the body of my writing and understand what I am doing wrong.

Once again, thank you very much for taking the time to read my post and I hope that you enjoyed reading about my research question.

Sincerely,

Jean B