Running head: COMPETENT CARING 1

Satisfaction Found in Competent Caring

Chris Rodeback
Dixie State University
Running head: COMPETENT CARING 2


Satisfaction Found in Competent Caring
Caring is what defines the registered nurse. In a study mentioned in the article Acts of
Caring by Joy Longo DNS RN, 97.2% of participants perceived overall caring behaviors as
important (Longo, 2011). Without caring, there would be no compassion, love or respect for the
patient. At the beginning of the nursing process, a nurse cares for the patient by listening to them
and their family while gathering information during the assessment. Using the gathered
information, the nurse cares for the patient by developing a plan to implement the proper
interventions in order to reach objectives, which the nurse feels, are imperative to the health and
well being of the patient.
Behaviors such as compassion, love, respect, listening and others, are usually what come
to mind when one mentions the act of caring. Caring encompasses more than just behaviors.
An excellent nurse will care about the profession by showing competency in all aspects of
nursing beginning with the nursing process. By doing this, all aspects of caring are covered by
the nurse. Not all nurses have the same level of competency, caring about the profession can
ensure competency and being proficient in all aspects of nursing, including technical skills,
expresses a level of caring and creates trust between the nurse an patient.
I have had many experiences working with RNs that show great care and compassion to
patients. One in particular was an RN that expressed overall caring. He was excellent at
listening and making the patient feel that their needs were important and that he would do all that
he could to help them. The patient had just returned from a stent placement through the femoral
artery and was having difficulty adhering to the post procedure protocols. He listened intently to
how it was causing her pain and discomfort to sit with her legs flat and head slightly elevated.
After hearing all of her objections he calmly informed her as to why it was so important for her
Running head: COMPETENT CARING 3


to follow instruction by describing the surgical procedure and disease process. I recall being told
by the patient that she was grateful that he took the time to answer her questions and that I was
lucky to follow such a caring person and would make a great nurse if I followed his example.
The RN could have stopped right there and he would have exemplified caring behaviors,
instead he continued to work in the patients best interest by completing all documentation and
education efficiently. What I witnessed reinforced my thoughts on caring. He efficiently
performed tasks far better than the other nurses that I had the opportunity to assist. He fulfilled
all of his nursing duties so that even after the patient was discharged his actions would lead to
great satisfaction for the patient and family. His care went beyond the time spent in the patients
room.
According to the article [c]aring behaviors demonstrated by nurses have been linked to
high patient satisfaction(Longo, 2011). In conclusion, I firmly believe that in order for a nurse
to be a successful nurse they need to care about the patient and career. Caring encompasses
more than just behaviors directed towards the patient. A caring nurse cares about the profession
by showing competency throughout the nursing process.


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References
Longo, J. (2011). Acts of caring. Nurses caring for nurses. Holistic Nursing Practice, 25, 8-16.
doi: 10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181fe2627