Janice A. Adams, RN, BSN, PHN

My Personal & Professional Constructs of Caring

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My personal and professional constructs of caring have changed as a result of me being in this RN to BSN program. My mindset has transitioned from caring as performing the necessary tasks– treating the body; to caring as a holistic approach – treating the body, yet paying mindfulattention to the mind and spirit. It is a holistic approach to caring that is deeply grounded inWatson’s Theory of Human Caring. Despite sounding somewhat simple, it was not. On thisjourney, I had to scrutinize, reflect, and learn to be with the uncomfortable. At times it was painful, and I suffered. And as a result of these experiences, I have developed a voice. A voice that strives for connection, feels compassion, and has strength and resilience; a voice based on a moral code and nursing evidence. And finally, as I draw on both my knowledge and experience, I develop my art of nursing. An art likened to the space between the notes, and without it, there is only noise.

On a personal and ethical level, I have grown. Recently, I had encountered a patient who lost her job as well as health benefits. At one time, I might have glossed over this situation, as there are many nursing tasks to accomplish. But today I am mindful and knew this was a compromising position and sensed her vulnerability. During our interaction, I placed a reassuring hand on her arm. I smiled and was gentle in my delivery of information. I kept a watchful eye on her as we spoke. And as I explained the steps that she needed to take, I heard her sigh and watched her entire body relax as we shared that space. Through this experience and interaction, her life, as well as mine, will reap the benefit.

On an Empirical level, my nursing practice has changed. Before this program, I learned, but it was a passive versus active process. Over the years, I gleaned information from physicians, pharmacists, and ancillary staff. It had been many years since I injected myself into a committee or actively read nursing research. I was comfortable and could manage my shift, but I had become complacent. My RN to BSN journey turned all that upside down. Today I know how toread relevant and pertinent research and to present that information in a variety of ways. I’ve learned to pay attention to my audience and tailor the information accordingly. I’ve gainedexperience in collaboration and realize the value of a team effort. It is through these experiences that I will continue to develop an informed practice.

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When it comes to my art of nursing, I am pulling it together. For me, this is where the complex becomes simple. Despite all the moving parts, it is in the art that I have come to know who I am and how these thoughts influence my nursing practice. Before this program, I had choices but was too stressed to realize them. I didn’t understand what made me tick. I was in too deep and therefore had little perspective. This program has changed that. It has set me on a path, a path that I had walked a million times over, but now this path is illuminated. I am mindful to keepperspective. I can be with the stress but am not consumed by it. And through this ‘aha’ orrealization, I have more clarity. I see caring from a new perspective, one that incorporates the complex and distills it down to the simple. This RN to BSN program has changed my nursing practice.