Effects of Previous Hospitalization on the Attitude Problems of Staff Nurses of Nueva Ecija Good Samaritan General Hospital

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

Nursing esthetics is the way in which nursing knowledge is expressed (Kozier, et. al. 2001, p.15). It involves feelings that are gained through subjective experience. It is said to be the “art” and “science” of Nursing (Ibid. p. 15). And it is through the art of nursing that nurses primarily express caring; thus, esthetics includes attitudes, beliefs, and values. Sensitivity and empathy are important facets of Nursing Esthetics. They enable nurses to be aware of the clients’ perspectives and to be attentive to cues of the clients’ physiological state. A nurse who is highly skilled in empathizing with clients has a wider range of interventions for providing effective and satisfying nursing care (Carper 1978, p.17)

On the other hand, personal knowledge is concerned with knowing one’s self. It involves the knowing of self in relation to another and interacting on a person-to-person rather than a role-to-role basis. This pattern enables nurses to treat clients as persons rather than objects. Nurses with developed self-awareness and self-knowledge generally have a better self-concept and are more attuned to their clients (ibid. p.18)

These tools (esthetics and knowledge) are important for a nurse to be proficient. They help the nurse to perceive a situation as whole rather than individual aspects as he focuses on the long-term goals and is oriented towards managing the nursing care of the client rather than performing specific tasks. The holistic understanding improves decision making and makes decisions according to the demands of situation and the lessons of past experiences.

With the clients as the ultimate recipient of care, it is an important role of a nurse to promote what is best for the client, ensuring that his needs are met, and protecting his rights (Dispartin 1988, p. 140). The current nursing programs of colleges and universities prepare an individual to attain these qualities of a nurse. But does the concepts taught in the classroom setting and the relative learning experiences in the clinical setting provide enough experience for a nurse to be proficient in his field?

As the saying goes, �experience is the best teacher’, and there is no better teacher for a nurse than to be the recipient of care himself as a patient. This study will be focusing on the previously hospitalized nurses on their nursing practice especially on therapeutic communication and how such experience bring about positive changes in their role performance as nurses.

Statement of the Problem

This study deals with the Experiences of Previously Hospitalized Nurses and its effect on the Use of Therapeutic Communication to Clients.

It is also inclined to answer the following questions:

1. How may the personal profile of the faculty be described in terms of:

a. Age

b. Sex

c. Civil status

d. Years of Experience

2. How does their experience of hospitalization influence positive changes in utilizing therapeutic communication?

3. What are the values learned as far as the behavioral aspect is concerned after they were hospitalized?

Significance of the Study

This study will prove to be significant to the researchers as this study will focus on first hand experiences of nurses being nursed. And their experiences shared will be of help to develop empathy to clients in rendering care.

It will also be significant to nurse educators, students, and nurses as well. This study will point out that nursing does make a difference to patient care. It will be an eye-opening testimonial of what patients really experience while in the hospital milieu; thus, making them more aware of the patient’s feelings and needs.

This study will also serve as a reference in case a similar study might be conducted in the future. Newly graduate nurses can use this study as a guide or preceptor because this study will include experiences of nurses in supportive programmes.

Scope and Delimitations

The study is focused on determining the experiences of previously hospitalized nurses and its effect on utilizing therapeutic communication in their clinical practice. It will make use of the sample from the staff