Aspects of Caring

Aspects of Caring
Within nursing, caring has been considered a core concept as a practiced discipline. During the past twenty years, research into nurse caring has been evolving with the addition of communication skills, psychology and sociology being introduced into nurse training. Despite the growing body of research and theory development the concept of caring has remained unclear. The nurse’s personal relationship with the patient is the cornerstone of care that contributes immensely to the overall well being of the patient.   The nurse must not only care, but must also build trust through verbal reassurance, clinical competence and dignified care.   Caring is also demonstrated through physical and spiritual care.
Caring is letting things matter, including other people. It means valuing their well-being and acting with attention to their needs. When a person cares about someone or something, they hold a consciousness of what can harm them and what is needed for them to flourish. Acts of kindness and words let others know that someone cares.   Caring can comfort another person even when neither party has the power to change a difficult situation ("Wisdom Commons," 2008).   The ability to trust the other party is a necessary part of a caring relationship.
Trust is essential in a professional caring relationship. Nurses attempt to create a trusting relationship characterized by openness, sincerity, love and patience (Brilowski & Wendler, 2005). The patients in a nurse’s care must be able to trust him with their health and well-being. One important aspect of trust building is competence.   The nurse giving the care must ensure his knowledge is current and evidenced based as caring without competence is meaningless (Brilowski & Wendler, 2005).   Justifying that trust is not only a matter of competence. The nurse must also make the care of patients his first concern, treating them as individuals and respecting their dignity.   The RCN (2008) believes dignity...