Category: Nursing

Introduction

Healthcare professionals especially those in the nursing field, apply different types of models in order to execute their roles professionally. These models are beneficial to patients and help to promote code of ethics and patient safety. Thus, a nursing model is a conceptual framework connecting particulars and phenomena, which help nurses to plan quality professional nursing care, examine tribulations related to nursing practice, and finally enable them to make sound judgments regarding nursing practice. To start with, there are so many nursing models. Each model applies differently depending on the type of healthcare service. Of great importance is the fact that nursing models provide a coherent, logical and systematic way of practicing nursing through information collected by nurses. Thus, they act as a milieu for critical manifestation of the hypothesis paramount in nursing practice (Robb, 1997, pp. 93-98).

Roper, Logan and Tierney Model

This particular model commonly applies in nursing practices to provide better healthcare services. For example, as a professional nurse, I do apply the model to my patients to make them regain their health faster. Notably, this particular model has made our healthcare facility an excellent healthcare service provider. Roper, Logan and Tierney model specifies 12 vital activities associated with basic human needs. These include upholding a clean surrounding, communicating, taking meals, inhaling and exhaling, excreting, practicing personal cleanliness, mastering body temperature, expressing sexuality, participating in daily chores, marshalling, resting and dying. Therefore, before implementing this model, we always consider these factors first. Of the twelve activities, the patients body temperature is imperative than the rest. For the past one year, Mr. Kelly has been under our healthcare plan as a patient. In the past two weeks, he has been unconscious. This implies that there is a problem with his body temperature, which we have to monitor regularly. The worst part is that Mr. Kelly is not in a position to explain temperature changes in his body. However, with the Roper, Logan and Tierney model, we are able to assess his condition based on the twelve living activities. In most cases, the model requires collaboration of the nurse and the patient but in this scenario, Mr. Kellys friends and family members play an imperative role (Roper, Logan & Tierney, 2000, pp. 1-8).

Since our main aim is controlling Mr. Kellys body temperature, as nursing staff we must ensure that there is a balance between heat loss and production. For instance, to monitor effectively Mr. Kellys body temperature changes, we observe changes in skin color and feel his skin regularly. A damp skin with perspiration is a sign of high body temperature while a bluish tinge skin informs coldness. However, if we find out that Mr. Kelly is feeling cold, we supply him with an extra blanket. On the other hand, if his temperature is high, we install a cooling fan in his room in order to reduce his body temperature. In case of the sudden change in temperature, we take Mr. Kellys respiratory and urinary tracts for testing and then come up with the right diagnosis. Moreover, the two specimens assist the nurses in identifying or ruling out the likelihood of chest or urinary tract infection. The reason why we examine these two tracts is that germs can manage to enter the tract when nurses are cathertizing Mr. Kelly. On the other hand, chest infection can occur due to inhalation of herms or bacteria that end up multiplying themselves in the bronchi.

Besides setting the main activity, the Roper, Logan and Tierney model instructs nurses to consider the remaining activities in relation to the patient. For example, the fact that Mr. Kelly becomes unconscious requires nurses to perform neurological observation at an interval of four hours. The Glasgow Coma Scale will provide data on the level of consciousness in Mr. Kelly. Like the code of ethics and patient safety, the Roper, Logan and Tierney model requires nurses to keep a safe, secure and comfortable environment for patients like Mr. Kelly. Through this way, nurses show respect to human dignity. Other instances involve keeping Mr. Kelly in a recovery position aimed at thwarting the tongue from slipping back. Additionally, as nurses, we feed Mr. Kelly with nutritious foods and fluids aimed at discouraging pyrexia or dehydration (Mooney, & OBrien, 2006, pp. 887-892).

Apart from the general nursing practices, communication is also paramount in the care plan. A cordial relationship between the patient and nursing staff not only upholds human dignity, but also hastens the healing process. As nurses, we explain every happening to him so that he does not feel excluded. When Mr. Kelly is conscious, nurses address him politely rest he become confused and frightened. Communications among fellow health care professionals helps us to build a mutual relationship in the care plan and search new modalities of updating our services to meet the needs of the patients. Constantly, nurses communicate Mr. Kellys condition and the medication he is undergoing to his relatives and friends hence, building a cordial relationship with them.

Conclusion

The Roper, Logan and Tierney nursing model is imperative in establishing a care plan simply because it allows nurses to set their priorities right. It acts like a framework of providing quality healthcare services to patients by observing human dignity. Furthermore, the model ensures nurses meet patient needs in line with ANA Nursing Code of Ethics and patient safety. Notably, the model has been the bulwark of quality and professional nursing practice through the regular update of the care plan.

Reference List

Mooney, M. & OBrien, F. (2006). Developing a plan of care using the Roper, Logan and Tierney model. British Journal of Nursing, 15(16), 887-892.

Robb, Y. (1997). Have nursing models a place in intensive care units? Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 13, 93-98.

Roper, N., Logan, W. & Tierney, A. (2000). The Roper-Logan-Tierney Model of Nursing: Based on Activities of Living. Edinburgh: Elsevier Health Sciences.

I am a strong, attractive, and medium-sized young adult with many talents such as striving talents (achiever, competence, ethics, and belief), thinking talents (focus, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and creativity), and relating talents (team-player, positivity, and individualized perception). On the other hand, my personal skills include self-management (planning, time-management, self-awareness), independent learning (self-appraisal, reflection, and flexibility), and goal-oriented skills (goal-setting, planning, and monitoring). Additionally, I am healthy because I maintain an updated dietary and exercise plan, which guides my day-to-day eating habits and physical activity. The possible health risks in my life include susceptibility to accidents and physical injury.

Therefore, in the future, I would like to maintain my physical appearance in addition to adding stamina to my list of striving talents. I would also like to maintain my current personal skills except for independent learning where I would like to seek the help of my peers and experts in learning. Conversely, I would also wish to maintain my health behaviors while minimizing the health risks.

Professional Self-concept (Values)

Through the many years I have spent as a student in nursing, I have been socialized into the profession, and in the process, I have internalized the significance of many professional values, beliefs, and attitudes in nursing. As a result, the values that I would like to inject into the profession include commitment to the service of care-giving, respect for patient autonomy, commitment to continuous (life-long) education and learning, and belief in self-respect and the value/uniqueness of each human being (Blais & Hayes, 2011; Masters, 2009, p. 127). Accordingly, through life-long learning and interaction with other professional nurses, I would like to nurture these values and beliefs while contributing to the efforts geared toward providing timely, quality, evidence-based, and cost-effective care services to all clients and their families.

Definition of Nursing

From a personal perspective, nursing can be defined to as the art and science of caring whose ultimate goal is health promotion and disease prevention for all. Therefore, nursing utilizes knowledge, technical skills, and self-care in providing competent spiritual, physical, social, intellectual, and psychological care to clients and their families.

Nursing Theorist/Theory

The nursing theory that closely reflects my definition for nursing is the adaptation theory. Conversely, the nursing theorist whose ideas reflect my definition for nursing is Dr. F.G. Abdellah (1960). According to the adaptation theory, adaptation entails continuous adjustment whereby change is effected through interaction and response. As a result, for nurses to effect change relative to health outcomes, they should enlist human adaptation through maintaining positive interpersonal relations with clients and their families. Conversely, Dr. Abdellahs nursing theory focuses on the need for nursing care to deliver competent physical, spiritual, social, emotional, and intellectual care to clients and their families. Therefore, the core concept of nursing is caring, which captures all the aspects mentioned above (Blais & Hayes, 2011; Masters, 2009).

Professional Goals

My professional goals include values self-reflection, practicing care for self and others, remaining open to the perspectives of others by maintaining open-dialogue in real-life nursing practice, remaining committed to life-long learning and education, using nursing theory to inform practice, maintaining evidence-based practices in nursing, maintaining confidence and self-direction in practice, and becoming a registered nurse (RN) in the near future (Masters, 2009, p. 135).

Professional Self-Concept (Knowledge)

Through continuous learning, I have become knowledgeable in terms of understanding various methods and models used in nursing. Therefore, my knowledge in nursing is based on my ability to demonstrate professionalism in nursing ethics, functional nursing, case management, primary nursing, team nursing, total patient care, and practicing evidence-based nursing (Masters, 2009, p. 135). On the other hand, since a considerable portion of my knowledge in nursing is theoretical, I am looking forward to obtaining practical knowledge and skills through working and interacting with professionals in the field. Taken together, my knowledge in different aspects of nursing will guide my efforts toward achieving my professional nursing goals listed above.

Professional Self-Concept (Skills)

As mentioned earlier, I possess different personal skills including self-management, independent learning, and goal-oriented skills. Since nursing practice combines knowledge, technical skills, and self-conception in delivering care, I am looking forward to obtaining additional skills such as self-direction, self-reflection, interpersonal skills, communication skills, leadership skills, and skills in information technology. All these skills will play a pivotal role in creating an enabling environment to achieve the set professional goals.

Self-concept Changes

Nursing is a dynamic profession considering that professional standards, objectives, and goals are bound to change relative to patient needs, technological changes, and availability of resources. As a result, my professional self-concept keeps on changing with the current issues in the healthcare industry, and thus it is my duty to ensure that I align my knowledge and skills to fit the existing circumstances. The changes in my professional self-concept are also expected to change in the future because as time passes, I am bound to encounter totally different and unique circumstances, which require specific skills. However, by remaining true to the spirit of life-long learning and education, nurses stand a better chance of overcoming any challenges in the healthcare industry today.

References

Blais, K.K., & Hayes, J.S. (2011). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (6^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Masters, K. (2009). Role development in professional nursing practice (2^nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Assessment

Subjective

The subjective assessment of the patient does not provide much food for thought since the customer denies being under the impact of any harmful factors outside of occasional smoking.

Objective

The assessment of the factors that may have affected the patients health and triggered the development of the disease must be viewed as the current priority. An objective evaluation of the patient has shown that family history is the next step toward identifying the root cause of the problem.

Afterward, the tools for addressing the issue have to be located. It is imperative to design both the medical treatment schedule and the one for regular therapy sessions. Thus, both the patients awareness of the issue and the chances for a successful recovery will be increased significantly.

Nursing Diagnosis

Problem

The current problem can be defined as the risk of suffering an injury due to vision problems (particularly, blurriness in vision), which a cataract can be defined by.

Etiology

According to the latest researches on the subject matter, the origins of cataracts are barely identifiable (Millodot, 2015; Shatzkes, 2014). Since the patient does not have any bad habits and has not experienced any traumatizing events, it can be assumed that the risk of developing a cataract runs in the family. Given the family history (i.e., hypertension that their mother suffers from), the cataract may be genetically induced.

Symptoms

Vision blurriness is the primary symptom that needs to be taken into consideration. According to the existing studies, a cataract typically manifests itself in a blurry vision (Thompson, 2014). Since the patient does not experience any other issues apart from the one mentioned above, cataract is the primary disorder to be suspected in the case in point.

Planning

At present, it is imperative to reduce the pain that the patient is experiencing and encourage the patient to adopt the behavioral patterns that will contribute to a faster recovery.

Intervention

1. 1. The provision of medications that will help relieve the patient of the pain should be viewed as the primary objective.

Reasons: when suffering from the pain induced by the disease, the patient is unlikely to focus on the process of fighting the disease.

2. 2. Setting the environment is crucial for the patients adjustment after the surgery is performed.

Reasons: since the patient is likely to have trouble seeing immediately after the surgery, it will be necessary to make sure that she does not hurt herself when walking or moving.

3. 3. Orienting the patient should be viewed as an essential part of the intervention.

The above step should be carried out for the same reasons as noted in Step 3  the patient may hurt herself badly without the assistance of a nurse.

Evaluation

The process of evaluation should be carried out by comparing the current state of the patients vision to the one that they will display after the therapy is over. It is expected that the surgery will have a positive effect on the patients vision, restoring it to the 20/30 index that their right eye has at present.

Teaching Plan

The teaching plan will involve increasing the patients awareness of the subject matter and instructing them concerning the exercises that they will have to do in order to reset the vision rate to the previous ratio. Simultaneously, the patient will be introduced to the variety of exercises that they will have to carry out on a daily basis to maintain their vision at the required rate.

Reference List

Millodot, M. (2015). Dictionary of optometry and visual science. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Shatzkes, D. R. (2014). Craniofacial trauma, an issue of neuroimaging clinics. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Thompson, J. (2014). Easy on the eyes:.A fresh look at vision. Victoria: FriesenPress.

The Definition of Nursing

On a bigger scale, nursing is a concept that includes the protection of human life and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Nurses serve as a mediator of healing facilitation and are keen on preventing injuries and illnesses (Potter, Perry, & Stockert, 2015). The key objective of nursing is to provide high-quality care and diagnose illnesses in a deterrent manner. Ultimately, nursing professionals advocate for the provision of care to communities, and each given member of these communities. The nursing profession exists because there should be individuals who can alleviate the symptoms of any illness and help the patients to cope with all the complications that may transpire throughout the treatment process (Delves-Yates, 2015). I practice nursing because it gives me the possibility to take care of people and help them. Moreover, I truly enjoy the fact that I can provide support and make my patients happy again when they finally recover.

Underlying Beliefs

Nurses should be knowledgeable and proficient. In addition to their professional healthcare skills, they should be eminent psychologists to communicate with patients in an efficient manner (Potter et al., 2015). The majority of nurses are interested in providing care of the highest quality, and they believe that there is nothing more important than human life and well-being. Contrarily, patients are not required to be knowledgeable. This supposition comes from the fact that they simply need help and there is little chance that they realize how to treat themselves. Other healthcare providers should be willing to collaborate and provide nurses with any additional information about the patients if it is required by the treatment process (Potter et al., 2015). Lastly, communities tend to be somewhat inactive in terms of health care, and in the majority of cases, they are affected by stereotypes and distorted vision of the world.

Major Domains of Nursing

The first major domain of nursing is a person. This choice can be explained by the indescribable value of human life. Nurses should realize the importance of perceiving any given person as a fundamental part of a certain environment (Delves-Yates, 2015). When nurses appreciate human life, they have a unique possibility to engage in exceptional interactive events and participate in the constantly transforming healthcare environment. Nurses are responsible for developing a persons feeling of responsibility and ensure their confidentiality. The core peculiarity of a person within the healthcare environment is their willingness to participate in the treatment process (Potter et al., 2015). A safe and stress-free healthcare environment, timely health reports, and cautious assessments should be secured by the nurse. The notion of health is seen by nursing as an exclusive experience that can only be perceived by the patient.

Summary

The interconnection between the domains can be explained by the inseparability of these domains. In other words, nursing cannot exist without patients, and vice versa (Delves-Yates, 2015). I believe that in the future, nursing practice will become even more complex (despite the technological progress and implementation of various electronic devices). One of the biggest challenges that I will face is the issue of constant learning. It will be hard to be caring and competent at the same time. Despite all the complications mentioned above, I believe that the process of my professional development will not be affected significantly. Collaboration with other healthcare specialists and continuous education will be my main concerns in the future.

References

Delves-Yates, C. (2015). Essentials of nursing practice. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

Potter, P., Perry, A., & Stockert, P. (2015). Fundamentals of nursing. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

The project Preventing Respiratory Complications on Patients Undergoing Interventional Radiological Procedures under Conscious Sedation at Kendall Regional Medical Center will relate to Martha Rogers Unitary human being theory, Jean Watsons Theory of Human Caring, and Madeleine Leiningers Transcultural Nursing Theory.

The first element is Martha Rogers unitary human being theory. Its philosophy as a set of paradigmatic principles will assist the project in training nurses to stay responsive to the precise circumstance of each patient. The model of the nursing practice designed, for example, for Kendall Regional Medical Center, should be oriented to its specifics and be able to address the universal nature of human beings.

The second element of care is Jean Watsons Theory of Human Caring. Its carative elements provide a strong theory in a form of almost a structured guidance. Its main contribution is the need to find a bond with a patient, to ensure trustful relationships because the moment of care allows the patient to feel less vulnerable. Given the fact that any complication with the disease is quite stressful, it is especially important.

Transcultural nursing theory as the third element contributes to the understanding of the needs of the multicultural community. The required relationships of trust and console between nurse and patient would not be possible if someone experiences discomfort. In this regard, nursing meta-paradigm manifests itself in a form of nurses self-reflection. It is important that a nurse monitors their own experiences along with the patients because it would help to improve their relationships.

References

Leininger, M. M. (1988). Leiningers Theory of Nursing: Cultural Care Diversity and Universality. Nursing Science Quarterly, 1(4), 152-160.

Leininger, M. (2002). Culture Care Theory: A Major Contribution to Advance Transcultural Nursing Knowledge and Practices. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 189-192.

Rogers, M. E. (1988). Nursing Science and Art: A Prospective. Nursing Science Quarterly, 1(3), 99-101.

Rogers, M. E. (1994). The Science of Unitary Human Beings: Current Perspectives. Nursing Science Quarterly, 7(1), 33-35.

Watson, J. (1999). Nursing: Human Science and Human Care: A Theory of Nursing. New York, New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Watson, J., & Woodward, T. K. (2010). Jean Watsons Theory of Human Caring. Nursing Theories and Nursing Practice, 3(1), 351-369.

Psychosocial nursing has often been perceived to be a different part of self-assessment in routine physical examinations. However, I do not think this is the case. I perceive psychosocial nursing to be linked to the physical wellbeing of a person because it focuses on obtaining information about a persons physiological, psychological, sociological and spiritual welfare (Day 2003). A lot of factors are normally assessed under the above categories because a persons physiological, psychological, sociological or spiritual welfare is normally hinged on a lot of factors such as self-esteem, energy levels, lifestyle choices, family-esteem (among other factors). Comprehensively, I see psychosocial nursing as hinged on assessing the physiological wellbeing of a person and assessing a patients moods or emotional stability, which may often be described as happy, sad or euphoric (among other representations of human emotional wellbeing). Psychosocial nursing is also aimed at assessing the influence of ones culture on the mental health and lifestyle choices of a patient (Doran 2010, p. 286). Such factors may range from assessing ones diet to determining the influence of religious preferences on ones health. Other factors which are normally assessed under psychosocial nursing include the examination of a patients interest, needs and goals (which affect the overall psychosocial wellbeing of a person) (Day 2003).

From the above understanding, I think the importance of psychosocial nursing cannot be underestimated in the overall improvement of nursing care. It is also from this standpoint that the concept of psychosocial nursing stands out to me as a crucial factor in the nursing profession because it is pivotal in nursing planning. The level of outreach that psychosocial nursing provides in understanding patient conditions and illnesses is extensive because through psychosocial nursing, I can easily understand patient patterns, family diseases, interpersonal communication styles and other factors that would help in the overall improvement of nursing care. This understanding drives me to believe that the best way to empower nurses to achieve optimum success in the development of the best nursing care, is to assess almost all elements of a patients wellbeing (and most importantly, the assessment of a patients culture to provide a clearer understanding of the right type of nursing care to be given to the patient) (Rogers-Clark 2005, p. 1).

The importance of psychosocial nursing and the need to integrate it into the nursing practice is especially exemplified by the comprehensive nature of the concept in improving nursing care. For instance, as evidenced in earlier sections of this paper, I perceive psychosocial nursing as an assessment of various dynamics of a persons wellbeing, including a persons spirituality, culture, occupation, relationships, coping skills and other factors. These components of a persons wellbeing are central to the provision of an effective nursing care plan because if such factors are considered, I can easily determine a patients recovery outcome, viz-a-viz the input of nursing care components (Day 2003). I perceive this fact as a crucial part of developing the best nursing care plan because a correct integration of psychosocial nursing components into the nursing profession goes a long way in eliminating the structural or functional anomalies evident in ineffective nursing plans. As a nurse, I can therefore be able to integrate properly effective components of the nursing plan to suit a patients psychosocial wellbeing. This is one way of ensuring the nursing care plan is tailored to suit the patients psychosocial needs. Ultimately, this is also one way of ensuring the nursing care plan is effective for all patients, because a uniform nursing care plan cannot have the same level of efficacy for all patients (Videbeck 2010, p. 7).

I therefore perceive psychosocial assessment as central in predicting a patients response to nursing initiatives because it evaluates a patients emotional and intellectual wellbeing. These factors directly have an influence on a patients response to nursing initiatives because they predict a patients stability and reaction to nursing care. For instance, a patient with an unstable intellectual and emotional wellbeing is likely to exhibit a negative response towards a fair nursing care plan. A patient who has a relatively fair emotional and intellectual health is likely to express a positive reception to the same nursing care plan. In this regard, I deem it crucial to evaluate a patients intellectual and emotional wellbeing as part of having a better understanding of a patients psychosocial wellbeing. This is also another way of integrating psychosocial nursing into the profession (Day 2003).

Considering the fact that psychosocial nursing is a crucial component of the nursing care plan, I believe it is of grave importance for all nurses to be educated about the importance of integrating the concept into their nursing care plans. The importance of this practice is fixed on the fact that, psychosocial nursing is one way of providing excellent nursing care from a patients point of view, as opposed to a nurses point of view. Most traditional nursing plans have been developed from a one-sided point of view where patient needs and preferences have been neglected. There has therefore been a consistent attempt to downplay the importance of integrating patient dynamics into the nursing plan (Day 2003). Traditional nursing plans have also been highly rigid and they have equally failed to accommodate the dynamism of different patient needs. As a result, I believe nurses have often administered a uniform nursing care plan for decades, without considering the characteristics or uniqueness of patient groups. In my view, psychosocial nursing seems to change this paradigm, thereby improving the effectiveness for nursing care plans. From this point of view, psychosocial nursing should be deeply integrated into the general nursing practice (Simpson 2007, p. 78).

References

Brooker, C 2003, Nursing Adults: The Practice Of Caring, Elsevier Health Sciences, Sydney.

Day, L 2003, The Internal And External Worlds Of Children And Adolescents: Collaborative Therapeutic Care, Karnac Books, New York.

Doran, D 2010, Nursing Outcomes, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Michigan.

Elliott, D 2007, ACCCNs Critical Care Nursing, Elsevier Australia, Sydney.

Koerner, J 1994, Implementing Differentiated Nursing Practice: Transformation By Design, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Michigan.

McGee, P 2003, Advanced Nursing Practice, Wiley-Blackwell, London.

Porche, D 2004, Public & Community Health Nursing Practice: A Population-Based Approach, SAGE, London.

Rogers-Clark, C 2005, Living With Illness: Psychosocial Challenges For Nursing, Elsevier, Sydney.

Simpson, K 2007, Perinatal Nursing, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London.

Videbeck, S 2010, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London.

Introduction

Various nursing care models characterize healthcare delivery in the contemporary healthcare centers. Some of the models that medical practitioners undertake as they deliver services to patients include team nursing, total patient care, functional, and primary nursing. During my time in a certain hospital that is near our home, I observed a process of service delivery, which followed team-nursing model of service delivery. The process qualified to be a team-nursing model of service delivery because of the manner in which medical practitioners served the patients. The registered nurses provided medications and supervised the assistants, who engaged in activities such as bathing the patients and undertaking other miscellaneous activities that concerned service delivery. Notably, the team worked together under the leadership of the registered nurses and doctors, who authorized major operations in the hospital. The model was all-inclusive and all nurses participated in service delivery. Therefore, the essay summarizes two journals related to team nursing model and two journals that discuss primary nursing model, provides observations, and recommends a model that could improve healthcare service delivery.

Summary of Scholarly Articles

Related to the Team Nursing Model

The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, titled Team Nursing: Experiences of Nurse Managers in Acute Care Settings and Collegian titled The Trials and Tribulations of Team-Nursing are articles which discuss the team nursing model that I observed. The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing highlights the practicability of team nursing model in healthcare. According to Ferguson and Cioffi (2011), team nursing is one of the models practiced by heath centers in the world. In their perspective, the model ensures satisfaction and high-end service delivery to patients. The article states that unlike other forms of personalized care, team nursing ensures that nurses work together following the directives of registered nurses. By working together as a team, nurses not only deliver high-end services to patients, but also advance their skills. Furthermore, instances of errors reduce because the assistants work under the leadership of registered nurses, who have the requisite medical expertise.

Consequently, the Collegian article titled The Trials and Tribulations of Team-Nursing provides an in-depth study on the challenges linked to successful utility of team nursing model in healthcare. In the perspective of OConnell, Duke, Bennett, Crawford, and Korfiatis (2006), team nursing is one of the models that optimize employee performance in hospitals. Optimization of employees according to the article emanates from the fact that all nurses and their assistants participate in delivering services to several patients with different ailments. Additionally, the nurses acquire more skills and become multitalented, a factor that is critical in modern service delivery. The article plays a very important role in bringing to the fore the key aspects of team nursing model in its quest to ensure that the healthcare sector adopts and fully utilizes the model in execution of their services.

Related to Primary Nursing Model

The Journal of Advanced Nursing titled Evidence to Inform Staff Mix Decision-Making: A Focused Literature Review and Nurse Admin Journal titled Integrated Primary Nursing, a Care Delivery Model for the 21st-Century Knowledge Worker discuss the primary nursing model. Concisely the articles explain the essence of practicing the model in healthcare centers. To substantiate the importance of primary nursing model, Jost, Bonnell, Chacko, and Parkinson (2010) elucidate that the model increases the quality of care accorded to patients. According to the article, the time spent by nurses with patients, which is higher as opposed to other forms of nursing care models, leads to development of a good relationship. When the relationship between the nurses and patients improve, the quality of services becomes personalized. In the modern society, several individuals expect to receive personalized attention from service providers, which include the health sector. Therefore, the inception of primary nursing model in hospitals is instrumental in matching patient needs with services.

It is imperative to explain that the expertise of nurses concerning a certain ailment improves when they get more time with the patient. The time accorded to the registered nurses helps them to ask questions concerning a particular disease, and in turn, understand the factors that could be useful in addressing the ailment. The Nurse Admin article authored by Harris and Hall (2012) states that when patients become acquainted with their nurses, they open up and provide some information, which could be vital in improving the quality of services delivered by the facility. The nurses then channel the information to the hospitals management in the attempt to convert the expectations into services. The article states that the information provided by the patients could otherwise be unavailable in congested wards where nurses handle the patients using less personalized nursing care models. Notably the article expounds its scope by presenting the study with findings that validate the essence of the model if medical practitioners around the globe adopt and utilize it.

Observations about the Implementation of the Current Nursing Care Models and Recommendations on a Model that can Improve the Quality of Healthcare

Notably, several healthcare facilities in modern societies deliver their services using team-nursing models. The wide employment of team nursing model transpires because it facilitates increased delivery of medical, services to a large number of patients. In addition, the model optimizes employee utility. Unlike personalized nursing care models practiced by few hospitals, team-nursing model is less expensive. In effect, a healthcare centre, which has few registered nurses and doctors can effectively utilize the model, as it only requires their supervision and minimal participation.

In the context of a model that can boost the level of satisfaction, safety, and quality of service delivery in medical centers, I recommend application of total patient care model. It is fundamental to explain that total patient care is a model that reduces cases of mistakes in service delivery and creates a good rapport between the practitioners and the patients. According to the study undertaken by the Association of Registered Nurses of British of Columbia (2015), the number of patients in need of personalized nursing is on the rise. The rising demand for personalized medical attention and care is one of the reasons that compels countries to institute polices, which promote total patient care model of service delivery in the healthcare sector.

Conclusion

Nursing care models are very practical in determining the quality of services delivered by health centers. My experience and lessons that I learnt out of the observations increased my knowledge in nursing care models and their role in dictating the overall delivery of medical services. I have learnt that a wrong choice of nursing care model leads to dissatisfaction from patients, whereas a correct choice advances the overall position and reputation of a particular healthcare facility.

References

Association of Registered Nurses of British of Columbia. (2015). Position Paper. Association of Registered Nurses of British of Columbia, 1(1), 1-5.

Ferguson, L., & Cioffi, J. (2011). Team Nursing: Experiences of Nurse Managers in Acute Care Settings. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 28(4), 5-11.

Harris, A., & Hall, M. (2012). Evidence to Inform Staff Mix Decision-Making: A Focused Literature Review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 55(6), 757769.

Jost, S., Bonnell, M., Chacko, S., & Parkinson, D. (2010). Integrated Primary Nursing, a

Care Delivery Model for the 21st-Century Knowledge Worker. Nurse Admin, 3(34), 208-216.

OConnell, B., Duke, M., Bennett, P., Crawford, S., & Korfiatis, V. (2006). The Trials and Tribulations of Team-Nursing. Collegian, 13(3), 11-17.

The clinical environment in contemporary society is complex, which makes the process of implementing change a daunting task (Gale & Schaffer, 2009). As such, it is of the essence to make adequate plans before introducing the change. Varnell, Haas, Duke, and Hudson (2008) have argued that unilateral decisions undermine the progress from the status quo. The involvement of the administrators and nurses in the process will facilitate the formulation of negotiated goals (Pagoto et al., 2007). The administrators will approve the allocation of resources if they understand the objectives and benefits of the project. On the other hand, the nurses will embrace the planned change if they participate actively in all the planning, decision-making, and implementation processes (Gale & Schaffer, 2009).

The Current Problem

The increasing cases of nursing turnover and shortages are affecting the quality and safety of healthcare in modern society (Hayes et al., 2012). The review of the literature has highlighted multiple consequences of reduced staffing levels. Firstly, Duffin (2012) has found out that the small nurse-patient ratios increase the rates of hospital-related mortalities and morbidities. Gillen (2012) has linked the increasing incidences of the adverse clinical events to heavy workloads, which are caused by nursing shortages. Secondly, the inadequate staffing inherent in the majority of hospital wards and units have undermined the delivery of holistic care (Morgan & Lynn, 2009). According to Garrett (2008), overworked nurses cannot meet the unique needs of every patient under their care.

Health organizations and regulatory bodies have developed the minimum nurse-patient ratios (Duffin, 2012). Conversely, Kendall-Raynor (2011) has argued that the current nursing shortages make it difficult for health facilities to comply with these requirements. Some hospitals have even reduced their capacity because it is costly to establish and maintain an adequate staffing level and mix (Unruh & Ning, 2012). On the other hand, there is no consensus in the literature about the correct patient-nurse ratio. Despite these limitations, all the stakeholders have recognized the effect of adequate staffing on patient outcomes (Karantzas et al., 2012). A need has arisen to increase the current staffing levels. This strategy is essential to reduce the missed opportunities (Rondeau, Williams, & Wagar, 2009).

The Proposed Solution

The proposed solution will entail increasing the number of registered nurses in the health facility. It is imperative to note that a safe nurse-patient ratio will complement other initiatives to enhance the clinical outcomes. The rationale behind this decision is that individual and system factors affect the quality of care besides staffing levels (Gunusen, Ustun, & Gigliotti, 2009). Gillen (2012) has asserted that the sheer increase in the number of nurses does not translate to high-quality and safe patient care automatically. By contrast, Kalisch, Gosselin, and Choi (2012) have argued that an increase in the levels of staffing can only be effective if health facilities address the other issues that affect the quality of care.

The Neuman Systems Model will support the proposed changes because it stresses the importance of holistic care. Neumans model consists of four paradigms that affect the patient outcomes: person, health, environment, and nursing. The complex interplay among these variables shapes the coping mechanisms of the nurses during the care process (Gunusen et al., 2009). For instance, heavy workloads cause burnout among the nurses. Consequently, the affected hospitals often report an increase in the cases of absenteeism, staff turnover, dissatisfaction, and depersonalization (Unruh & Ning, 2012). The preceding example illustrates the essentiality of creating appropriate systems and procedures (Kane, Shamilyan, Mueller, Duvall, & Wilt, 2012).

The targeted health institution has been unable to maintain the right mix and number of nurses. The hospital has also recorded a high turnover in the past year, which has reduced the staffing levels significantly. This situation has lowered the hospitals capacity to meet the demands of its clients. The principal concern is that the inadequate staffing levels are undermining the delivery of safe and quality care. Neumans model will address these challenges by identifying new practices, concepts, and ideas that can improve the present scope of nursing care. This theory will assist the nurse leaders and other hospital administrators to handle the issues of burnout, stress, absenteeism, and employee turnover (Gunusen et al., 2009).

The Rationale for the Proposed Solution

The escalating costs of healthcare, coupled with a high staff turnover have lowered the nurse-patient ratios significantly (McGahan, Kucharski, & Coyer, 2012). In the same vein, the healthcare sector has come under immense pressure to enhance the quality and safety of patient care (Unruh & Ning, 2012). The primary concern is that the dwindling nurse-patient ratios are compromising the quality of care (Kalisch et al., 2012). The proposed solution will address these concerns by increasing the current ratio of registered nurses to patients. The rationale underpinning this intervention is that adequate staffing will reduce the underlying risks of medication errors, hospital-acquired infections, and other adverse clinical events (Garrett, 2008). McGahan et al. (2012) have argued that high nurse-patient ratios reduce mortality, morbidity, and readmission rates.

The Review of the Supporting Literature

The significance of nurse staffing has continued to receive much attention in both health care literature and policy discourses. For example, clinical researchers have been exploring and analyzing the correlation between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes (Kendall-Raynor, 2011). The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has underscored the critical role that the nursing function plays in enhancing patient outcomes and the quality of care (Garrett, 2008). Rondeau et al. (2009) have identified the adequate nurse-patient ratios as an imperative policy issue that has received widespread consensus and support. In essence, nurses influence the safety and quality of care because they constitute one of the most critical components of the healthcare system (Unruh & Ning, 2012).

The nurse administrators determine the level of staffing based on the demands of the labor market and budgetary considerations. Accordingly, administrative practices influence the nursing staff mix, as well as the allocation of duties and working hours (Kane et al., 2012). Kalisch et al. (2012) have noted that the nurse administrators define the scope of supervision and continuing education programs. These factors also inform the models of care, working environment, and employee satisfaction (Morgan & Lynn, 2009). Interdisciplinary teams, collaboration, and communication play a significant role in the delivery of health care. These factors ultimately affect the quality of nursing care, as well as the quantity of time that nurses dedicate to each patient (Rondeau et al., 2009).

The provision of quality care mandates the nurses to execute assessment and intervention procedures appropriately. The complexity and acuity of each patients health status determine their individual outcomes (Kane et al., 2012). The patients functional status and co-morbid conditions also affect the quality of care. Thus, the patients vulnerabilities vary considerably and can change at any moment during the caring or treatment process (Gillen, 2012). These factors mandate the care provider to monitor every patient to ensure the delivery of the patient-centered care (Duffin, 2012). Nonetheless, the inadequate nurse-patient ratios are causing heavy workloads, prolonged working hours, and constant interruptions. Consequently, the nurses do not provide optimal care (Morgan & Lynn, 2009).

The preceding discussions have illustrated that numerous factors influence the delivery of health care. On the one hand, individual nurse characteristics (experience, skills, knowledge, and fatigue) influence the care process. On the other hand, the systems in which the nurses perform their duties also have a profound impact on the nursing practices (Rondeau et al., 2009). Some of the latter factors include the organizational culture, staffing mix, quality standards and policies, and leadership. According to Gillen (2012), these aspects interact inextricably with staffing levels to influence the quality and safety of nursing care. Kane et al. (2012) have underscored the significance of addressing the system and individual factors concurrently with staffing levels.

The Implementation Logistics

The organization has to mobilize all the required resources in readiness for the implementation of change (Pagoto et al., 2007). Kurt Lewin identified two opposing forces that influence the change process. The driving forces affect the change positively while the restraining forces undermine the process (Haas, 2008). The change can only become meaningful if the former supersedes the latter. Newhouse (2007) has acknowledged the importance of performing a force field analysis to determine the drivers and restraints of the planned change. The principal goal of this appraisal is to develop a strategy that will maximize the driving forces while at the same time minimizing the restraints systematically (Gale & Schaffer, 2009).

There is a growing consensus in the health care system regarding the incorporation of research into clinical practice (Oman, Duran, & Fink, 2008). The majority of the health professionals possess limited knowledge of the evidence-based practice (EBP). The primary challenge is that EBP necessitates a radical transformation of the organizational culture (Eaton & Tipton, 2009). The force field analysis will enhance the drivers of change by building an environment that supports change (Gale & Schaffer, 2009). Both the individual and leadership commitment will question the status quo to create the urgency for change. The transformation of the current culture will require a raft of logistical consideration (Oman et al., 2008).

The health providers will not implement the planned change adequately if they have limited knowledge of EBP. Thus, it is essential to mentor the practicing nurses and other clinicians (Funderburk, 2009). The implementation team will develop clinical supervision programs to strengthen the skills and competencies of the nursing profession. The nurse preceptors and other senior staff will play an integral role in sharing their experiences with their subordinates (Funderburk, 2009). Further, the development of continuing education programs will enhance the nursing practice because they will expose the service providers to new ideas and sophisticated practices (Oman et al., 2008). The providers should also gain an in-depth understanding of the research methods to support the appraisal of evidence (Persaud, 2008).

The integration of evidence in the current practices represents another logistical challenge. Health care facilities often use predetermined procedures and policies to guide the clinical practice (Persaud, 2008). The evidence-based practice provides an opportunity to infuse the best available scientific evidence into the nursing processes (Oman et al., 2008). Nonetheless, Oman et al. have underlined the complexity inherent in the development of policy guidelines. The implementation team will have to develop a panel of experts to facilitate the policy development and revision processes. These professionals will analyze the existing procedures and processes to identify gaps and opportunities (Eaton & Tipton, 2009).

Resources

An organization cannot implement the evidence-based practice successfully without providing concrete resources. The change agent will appraise the hospitals current stock of resources (Newhouse, 2007). Firstly, leadership is a critical asset that will foster the cultural transition. Effective clinical leadership will be essential to offer guidance, as well as manage the multidisciplinary team (MacRobert, 2008). Secondly, the staff development resources will ensure the seamless integration of EBP. These materials will include education tools, evaluation tools, research mentors, fellowships, journal clubs, and workshops. The hospital will also require financial resources to train and hire additional nurses (Newhouse, 2007).

The use of technology will provide practical resources and the opportunity for efficient communication. For instance, multimedia tools and computer software will facilitate the dissemination and storage of information respectively (Newhouse, 2007). It is imperative to note that the management of change is a continuous process, and the organization may not have all the resources from the onset. By contrast, the change agent will scale-up the resources as the need arises (Gale & Schaffer, 2009). The most appropriate strategy will be to develop a resource inventory or manual. This document will assist the implementation team to rationalize the use and allocation of funds during the budgeting process (Haas, 2008).

References

Duffin, C. (2012). Nurse-to-patient ratios must increase to improve safety. Nursing Older People, 24(4), 6-7.

Eaton, L. H., & Tipton, J. M. (2009). Putting evidence into practice: Improving oncology patient outcomes. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society Press.

Funderburk, A. E. (2008). Mentoring: The retention factor in the acute care setting. Journal for Nurses in Staff Development, 24(3), E1E5.

Gale, B., & Schaffer, M. (2009). Organizational readiness for evidence-based practice. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 39(2), 9197.

Garrett, C. (2008). The effect of nurse staffing patterns on medical errors and nurse burnout. AORN Journal, 87(6), 1191-1204.

Gillen, S. (2012). Most nurses are struggling with inadequate staffing, survey shows. Nursing Standard, 26(34), 9.

Gunusen, N. P., Ustun, B., & Gigliotti, E. (2009). Conceptualization of burnout from the perspective of the Neuman systems model. Nursing Science Quarterly, 22(3), 200-204.

Haas, S. (2008). Resourcing evidence-based practice in ambulatory care nursing. Nursing Economics, 26(5), 319322.

Hayes, L. J., OBrien-Pallas, L., Duffield, C., Shamian, J., Buchan, J., Hughes, F.,& North, N. (2012). Nurse turnover: A literature review  An update. International Journal of Nursing Studies, (49), 887-905.

Kalisch, B., Gosselin, K., & Choi, S.H. (2012). A comparison of patient care units with high vs. low levels of missed nursing care. Health Care Management Review, 4(31), 320-328.

Kane, R. L., Shamilyan, T. A., Mueller, C., Duvall, S., & Wilt, T. L. (2012). The association of registered nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes. Medical Care, 45, 1195- 1204.

Karantzas, G., Mellor, D., McCabe, M., Davidson, T., Beaton, P., & Mrkic, D. (2012). Intentions to quit work among staff working in the aged care sector. Gerontologist, 52(4), 506-516.

Kendall-Raynor, P. (2011). RCNs fight for safe staffing levels will go on despite setback in Lords. Nursing Standard, 26(14), 10.

MacRobert, M. (2008). A leadership focus on evidence-based practice: Tools for successful implementation. Professional Case Management, 13(2), 97101.

McGahan, M., Kucharski, G., & Coyer, F. (2012). Nurse staffing levels and the incidence of mortality and morbidity in the adult intensive care unit: A literature review. Australian Critical Care, 25, 64-77.

Morgan, J. C., & Lynn, M. R. (2009). Satisfaction in nursing in the context of shortage. Journal of Nursing Management, 17(3), 401-410.

Newhouse, R. (2007). Creating infrastructure supportive of evidence-based nursing practice: Leadership strategies. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 4(1), 2129.

Oman, K. S., Duran, C., & Fink, R. M. (2008). Evidence-based policies and procedures: An algorithm for success. Journal of Nursing Administration, 38(1), 4751.

Pagoto, S., Spring, B., Coups, E., Mulvaney, S., Coutu, M., & Ozakinci, G. (2007). Barriers and facilitators of evidence-based practice perceived by behavioral science health professionals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(7), 695705.

Persaud, D. (2008). Mentoring the new graduate perioperative nurse: A valuable retention strategy. AORN Journal, 87(6), 11731179.

Rondeau, K. V., Williams, E. S., & Wagar, T. H. (2009). Developing human capital: What is the impact on nurse turnover? Journal of Nursing Management, (17), 739-748.

Unruh, L., & Ning, J.Z. (2012). Nurse staffing and patient safety in hospitals: New variable and longitudinal approaches. Nursing Research, 61(1), 3-12.

Varnell, G., Haas, B., Duke, G., & Hudson, K. (2008). Effect of an educational intervention on attitudes toward and implementation of evidence-based practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 5(4), 172181.

Nurses should collaborate and apply their competencies to meet the health needs of the greatest number of patients. Unfortunately, the current patient-practitioner ratio remains low in many parts of the United States. This issue explains why healthcare professionals continue to experience increased workloads. This project gives a detailed description of the current issue of nursing understaffing.

Selected Problem

The number of patients in need of timely and high-quality has been on the rise due to the emergence of different diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. The percentage of caregivers and nurses is still low in many healthcare settings. Solheim (2016) observed that the supply of nurse practitioners (NPs) was reducing due to poor working conditions and remunerations. Many nurses have been opting for other career opportunities in different sectors. The number of medical professionals working overtime is currently high.

Context and Setting

In terms of context, many hospitals are getting more patients than ever before. Unfortunately, such people are unable to receive timely medical services due to the problem of nursing shortage. These complexities explain why NPs are forced to work overtime and provide sustainable services (Mohsen, Safaan, & Okby, 2016). The length of stay in hospitals continues to reduce because individuals are unable to receive adequate medical attention.

Detailed Description

Nurses form an integral part of the global healthcare sector. In the United States, around 4 million professionals are available to provide medical services and care to the countrys population (Wendsche, Hacker, & Wegge, 2017). A report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the country could be in need of more than one million nurses by the year 2020 (Salmond & Echevarria, 2017). This profession is presently facing understaffing due to various reasons, including inequitable distribution of resources, increased turnover, and inappropriate remunerations.

Impact

The problem of nursing shortage has resulted in numerous implications on the integrity of the healthcare sector. Firstly, the work environment is affected negatively since many NPs and nurse aids are forced to work for more hours. They remain fatigued and suffer from depression. Each NP is forced to offer exemplary care to different patients simultaneously (MacPhee, Dahinten, & Havaei, 2017). The poor quality of life for such professionals has resulted in high turnover. Secondly, the quality of care provided by staff is not acceptable due to the absence of motivation (Glette, Aase, & Wiig, 2017). Those working overtime are usually tired and incapable of providing exemplary services. Thirdly, medication errors and inappropriate support explain why patients record poor health outcomes.

Significance

The issue of nursing understaffing is significant because it examines an area that policymakers have ignored in the past. When different stakeholders focus on this problem, chances are high that new professionals will be hired to transform nursing practice (Hooper, 2016). Consequently, managers and leaders can focus on evidence-based strategies to hire more NPs and address this problem.

Solution

Several initiatives are needed to tackle this challenge and maximize patients health experiences. The first one is encouraging retirees to continue providing their services for more years. The second strategy is hiring additional nurse aids and NPs to reduce the current nursing shortage (Kiekkas et al., 2019). The third solution is introducing new incentives to minimize turnover. Finally, the government can implement powerful policies to present a permanent solution to this problem.

Conclusion

The above discussion has identified nursing understaffing as a major challenge facing the healthcare sector. This issue is associated with poor patient outcomes and inappropriate work environment experiences. The proposed solutions can transform the current situation and ensure that more people receive high-quality services.

References

Glette, M. K., Aase, K., & Wiig, S. (2017). The relationship between understaffing of nurses and patient safety in hospitals A literature review with thematic analysis. Open Journal of Nursing, 7, 1387-1429. Web.

Hooper, V. D. (2016). The Institute of Medicine report on the future of nursing: Where are we 5 years later? Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 31(5), 367-369. Web.

Kiekkas, P., Tsekoura, V., Aretha, D., Samios, A., Konstantinou, E., Igoumenidis, M., & Fligou, F. (2019). Nurse understaffing is associated with adverse events in postanaesthesia care unit patients. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(11-12), 2245-2252. Web.

MacPhee, M., Dahinten, V. S., & Havaei, F. (2017). The impact of heavy perceived nurse workloads on patient and nurse outcomes. Administrative Sciences, 7(1), 7-23. Web.

Mohsen, M. M., Safaan, N. A., & Okby, O. M. (2016). Nurses perceptions and barriers for adoption of evidence based practice in primary care: Bridging the gap. American Journal of Nursing Research, 4(2), 25-33. Web.

Salmond, S. W., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare transformation and changing roles for nursing. Orthopedic Nursing, 36(1), 12-25. Web.

Solheim, J. (2016). Emergency nursing: The profession, the pathway, the practice. Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.

Wendsche, J., Hacker, W., & Wegge, J. (2017). Understaffing and registered nurses turnover: The moderating role of regular rest breaks. German Journal of Human Resource Management: Zeitschrift für Personalforschung, 31(3), 238-259. Web.

Pamela Reeds Self-Transcendence Theory views people as individuals who develop throughout their life with the help of interactions with others, and within changing environments that either positively or negatively influence peoples overall well-being (including both mental and physical health). The story of Mrs. Richards, a patient who presented to the clinic with fatigue, anxiety, and depression due to the loss of her husband and two children, is among millions of similar cases of grief. Within the Self-Transcendence Theory, the role of a nurse, and nursing activities, is to help patients through the process of therapeutic management of their mental conditions and environment to achieve health and well-being. Referring to the assumptions that support the use of the Self-Transcendence Theory to treat patients such as Mrs. Richards, the first key point to remember is that human beings co-exist with the environment around them. They interact with it, exchange energy and matter and, thus, can expand their boundaries for reaching wellness and a definitive sense of well-being. The second point is that achieving self-transcendence (particularly in Mrs. Richards case) is only possible through personal development, which can be supported by a healthcare provider.

Mrs. Richards has been diagnosed with depression, which results in such adverse outcomes as worsened medical conditions, increased risks of admissions, impaired quality of life, an increased burden on caregivers, as well as reduced daily living activities (Haugan & Innstrand, 2012). Her grief over her husband and two children means that her risk factors for severe depression can rise at any point; therefore, it is essential to implement viable solutions to prevent the patients health from deteriorating. Possible interventions based on the Self-Transcendence Theory may include nursing activities that encourage Mrs. Richards self-reflection, altruistic actions, faith, and hope. The two interventions recommended for addressing Mrs. Richards condition are both linked to changing her usual environment and thus facilitating self-transcendence and self-reflection.

According to Underwood (2004) from the American Group Psychotherapy Association, complicated grief is among the key causes of depression. The first intervention to encourage Mrs. Richards recovery and facilitate self-transcendence is the attendance of grief counseling sessions. Such sessions can be both individual and group-based. Processes involved in recovering from grief differ from person to person; therefore, counseling can allow the patient to find the most efficient method that will facilitate her self-reflection and lead her toward recovery. Support groups or individual counseling sessions will provide the patient with safety, educate her on the importance of grief and mental processes that are linked to it, normalize and validate reactions to the loss of her family, and facilitate problem-solving. Counseling is essential for Mrs. Richards as it will boost self-reflection and bring her hope regarding her future.

The second intervention for facilitating self-transcendence is changing the patients environment through encouraging altruistic actions. Selfless actions may work for Mrs. Richards because they could replace her anxiety and fear with efforts to benefit other members of the community without gaining a personal advantage from them. Also, altruism will allow Mrs. Richards to shift her attention to doing something beneficial for society and enable her to reflect on her contribution to the world. Finding herself in a completely different environment is likely to facilitate the patients self-transcendence due to the development of new social networks, physical surroundings, and other community resources involved in various altruistic actions.

References

Haugan, G., & Innstrand, S. (2012). The effect of self-transcendence on depression in cognitively intact nursing home patients. ISRN Psychiatry, 12, 301-325.

Underwood, M. (2004). Group interventions for treatment of psychological trauma.