As I progress through the program, I learn more and more about the scope of practice nurses have a responsibility in. At the heart of this career, is patient centered care. Throughout the course, it was emphasized and drilled into our heads that we must remember that our patients needs are the priority. Being able to advocate and make quick clinical judgements for our patients is an integral part of the job. This semester, we were introduced to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This stated that a person had five needs. At the lowest tier was physiological, next was safety, then love and belonging, self-esteem and finally self-actualization. By following this idea, we as nurses should be able to give the care our patients deserve by referencing what tier they need the most at the time. This can range from basic physiological necessities like water, food, sleep, all the way up to helping them realize that if they follow their plan of care they can be the healthiest they desire to be. It is important to remember that as a nurse, we have the ability to get to know and understand patient’s struggles physically and mentally, their culture and their family life. This awareness can help us assess and integrate appropriate care that will help our patients have the best care possible. It can be as simple as just sitting down and listening, as a start.
