Personal Duty
Most people find it difficult to see children at their worst. I find it inspiring because I know how resilient children are. The feeling of watching them overcome all the odds is like no other. Caring for children who are struggling is my passion and is personal for me. Because of my personal experience, I feel that I am better equipped to watch over and care for my pediatric patients. I hope to use my story to inspire and up lift my pediatric patients and their families. Using myself as living proof that a diagnosis or prognosis does not certify anything. Taking care of these children and their families comes natural to me because I know what they’re going through and how they feel. I hope to have the tremendous privilege of watching my patients grow into amazing and inspiring people.
These children, and any patient in general, deserves the basic right to be paced in the best environment that promotes their growth and wellbeing. It is important that as a nurse I always provide this to my patients and place them in the best environment possible that meets their needs. This is where Florence Nightingale Metaparadigm theory comes into play. This theory is defined by utilizing the environment of the patient to aide them in their recovery. We learn about this theory in Evolution of Nursing Science (NURS212). The chart below was once just a shell with nothing but the theories names typed in the middle column (View the WTC chart below). We were assigned to fill in the remaining columns from what we learned in class and what we read in our textbook. When I was learning about this theory, it was very early in my career as a student nurse. At the time, I was naïve and thought that learning about these theories served no benefit. As I have grown, both as an individual and as a future nurse, the application of Florence Nightingale’s Metaparadigm Theory in particular has became clear.
These children, and any patient in general, deserves the basic right to be paced in the best environment that promotes their growth and wellbeing. It is important that as a nurse I always provide this to my patients and place them in the best environment possible that meets their needs. This is where Florence Nightingale Metaparadigm theory comes into play. This theory is defined by utilizing the environment of the patient to aide them in their recovery. We learn about this theory in Evolution of Nursing Science (NURS212). The chart below was once just a shell with nothing but the theories names typed in the middle column (View the WTC chart below). We were assigned to fill in the remaining columns from what we learned in class and what we read in our textbook. When I was learning about this theory, it was very early in my career as a student nurse. At the time, I was naïve and thought that learning about these theories served no benefit. As I have grown, both as an individual and as a future nurse, the application of Florence Nightingale’s Metaparadigm Theory in particular has became clear.
Each patient’s environment should be individualized just like their care. A change in a patient’s status may necessitate a change in their environment. Because of this, a patient’s environment may change may times. For example, a patient may need to be moved to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because their change in status may require a higher level of care and attention. However, once the patient returns to a less acute status, they may return back to a Med-surg floor.
Similarly, for children, as they grow their environment needs to grow and change with them. In our pediatric class (NURS 425) I learned how to alter environments for my pediatric patients based on their developmental stage utilizing Erikson’s and Piaget’s theories of Development. Erikson and Piaget have different stages that give parents and healthcare providers an easy way to determine how best to meet the needs of children. These theories also help provide guidelines on how to adjust the environment based on what developmental stage a child is at. (View my WTC notes below). Erikson and Piaget’s theories are similar to Florence Nightingales Metaparadigm theory. But Piaget’s and Erikson’s theories are focused around children while the Metaparadigm theory can be applied to patients of all ages. I was able to see the specific application of Erikson and Piaget theories during a beyond the classroom experience.
As part of our pediatrics class (NURS425) we held an event called Denver Day. During this beyond the classroom clinical experience, we have children ranging in ages come to the USC Lancaster campus. We then evaluate their development using the Denver Screening tool. The Denver screening tool is linked for your viewing.
I loved this experience because I learned so much about myself, how to interact with kids, and how to alter their environment to promote their growth. It wasn’t until this day that I saw the real life application of Piaget and Erikson’s theories. I saw firsthand the differences a year or two can make in a child’s development. I learned how best to provide them with the tools they need, alter the environment for their progressing growth, and communicate with them based on their developmental age pre-determined by Piaget and Erickson (View my BTC experience assignment below). I also developed an even greater love for this population.
Working with children is a challenge because nurses must cater to how they respond best and this changes as they grow and develop. Children are one of the most vulnerable populations. Sometimes, depending on the age, they are unable to communicate or are limited on their communication abilities. I have to work closer with them and develop a stronger bond and rapport than I would with adults. I thrive off this connection and love the challenge of meeting a child who is unwilling to talk to anyone else. It makes me work harder and be more creative. This challenge is exciting and causes me to come to work every day motivated to breakdown the wall they put up to protect themselves. That’s how I know once I graduate, I will be fulfilling my life’s purpose and achieving my personal duty.
My experiences as a pediatric patient gives me a perspective most nurses do not have. I mainly remember the good times and how my nurses and providers helped me adjust to my new home in the hospital. These memories shape how I care for my patients. I can recall times when my nurses would have syringe gun fights with me or play games in my room because I wasn’t allowed to be around other children due to my depleted immune system. I specifically remember Dr. Mogul, my oncologist, playing an entire game of Clue Jr. with me after making his rounds. It was those providers and nurses who gave me my affection, passion, and drive to be like them and pursue a career as a nurse. They set the foundation for how I intend to care for patients that can’t be taught or learned. I want my patients to feel the same kind of dedication and love my nurses gave to me.
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My firsthand experiences are what makes this personal for me. Additionally, the joy and satisfaction I receive from doing just the simple things for my patients indicates to me that this is what I was meant to do. Working with children and meeting their personal needs helps me fulfill my personal duty. Each specialty of nursing takes a different kind of person. Fulfilling my personal duty is not something anyone else can do for me. It’s something I have to do for myself. Only I know what my life’s purpose is and it is my responsibility to complete it.