Nursing As Caring
Knowing indirectly
Alternating Rhythms
“The rhythm of moving back and forth between a narrower and a wider framework.”
Retrieved from: nursingfaq.com
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 21)
Cont’d Alternating Rhythm
The nurse alternates based on the need of the patient
NOTE: the arrows below are pointed in both directions, alternating rhythm’s = moving back and forth
Pieces of the other whole being
Past experience present moment
Immediate needs of other future needs
Patience
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 23)
“I enable the other to grow in its own time and in its own way”
Not waiting passively, but instead allows the other time
Tolerance
Patience with self
Honesty
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 26)
To be honest with self
To be honest in trying to see the other
To see the other as they are
To be genuine
Trust
“Trusting the other to grow in its own time and in its own way”
Do not force or mold
Do not dominate
Do not care too much
Trust your own capacity to care.
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 27)
Humility
“There is always something more to learn”
Teacher Student
Parent Child
Nurse Patient
Retrieved from: http://robertjrgraham.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/humility.jpg
(Mayeroff , 1971, p. 31)
Cont’d Humility
“Do not be humiliated to learn from any source”
Learn from:
Mistakes
Others
Self
One who cares appreciates limitations, and powers.
One who cares has pride, without vanity.
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 30)
Hope
Hope for the other
There is hope for:
Growth
Possibility
Courage
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 33)
Courage
Many times nurses may not be aware that they are acting courageous.
Nurses demonstrate courage when:
caring in difficult times,
taking risks,
advocating,
leading.
“To go into the unknown”
Retrieved from:www.nursingworld.org
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 32)
Enjoy…
Click on, or paste, the link below to view a beautiful YouTube video that captures images of caring.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyk6Cgo4-tw&feature=channel_video_title
The SELF-Caring Nurse
“Just as I may be indifferent to myself, use myself as a thing, or be a stranger to myself, so I may care for myself by being responsive to my own needs to grow.”
(Mayeroff, 1971, p. 59)
In summary:
You have come to know the ways of nursing through the lens of caring.
In truth it is first and foremost through the knowing of self, and caring for self, that the nurse is able to care for the patient.
References
Mayeroff, M. (1971). On caring.
New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Rowe, J., & Rowe, A. (2010). A tribute to caring nurses everywhere [video]. Retrieved from: http://wwwyoutube.com