Everyone is capable of being empathetic and compassionate, but as you likely know, not all are. Empathy as they say is putting yourself in someone else’s shoes; being able to understand a situation from the perspective of the person experiencing it. Meanwhile, compassion is feeling concerned for others and wanting to help. These two characteristics sound similar however, empathy is more about putting yourself in those shoes while compassion is acknowledging the emotions they are feeling but then acting to help in some way. Therefore, you need empathy before you can have compassion. These characteristics are especially important in nursing in order to make patients feel comfortable and to build a trusting relationship which in turn helps nurses care for the patient. When patients are able to trust more, they will share important information such as thoughts about pain, fear/anxieties, and misunderstandings, for example with their medication(s). If nurses are aware of these, they will be able to provide the best care they can to that patient.

Jean Watson came up with the Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science and in that, included her carative factors. These are actions taken by nurses when caring for patients, using “carative” rather than “curative” because the nurses role is not always about curing but more about caring for the patient. The carative factors are guidelines for how to treat patients and they are extremely beneficial in changing clients outcomes. They encourage quality care and for patients to leave the hospital knowing they were treated as they should; respected, not discriminated against, given time to share worries and concerns, feel important and given the truth. In all of those, empathy and compassion are needed in order to be successful. They provide the foundation when caring for others (Watson, 2010). Since we were taught these skills in school, I was able to really focus on applying them to patients when it came time for clinical. Through my clinical experience, I was able to care for a plethora of patients which I am super grateful for. When assigned a project to discuss a time where I provided empathy and compassion, I instantly knew what patient I wanted to share.

I got the opportunity to care for a sweet man who, unfortunately, could not fully care for himself. I was first told that I would be helping a patient who had just completed his bowel stimulation and needed to be cleaned up. Assisting with basic human needs is, in fact, one of the carative factors. I did not know what this process entailed in real life since I had only ever learned about it through a textbook. Even before entering his room, the empathy was there; putting myself in this man’s shoes at that time, feeling the emotions I can imagine he felt. Sadness, helpless, anxious, awkward and frustrated are just some of those. Nobody wants someone else wiping their butt. With that being said, in some circumstances they have no choice which is why it is important for us to make the patients feel as comfortable as we can. I was able to achieve this by talking with the patient all throughout the time I was there. Talking beforehand helped create a relationship (another Carative factor) and talking during the procedure allowed him to focus on the conversation rather than the unfortunate situation he is in. Lastly, talking after we had finished allowed interaction for him and showed him that I was fully there with him and not running off to my next patient. With nurses being so busy throughout the day, and now with the visitor restrictions due to COVID, these patients are also becoming bored and lonely. My role in this position was to perform the care for him that he could not provide himself. Although, I feel that I did much more for him and I hope that my simple actions of compassion leave a lasting impression on him. I treated him how I would want to be treated if I were in his position and I feel that is key to being a quality nurse.

As I thought through how I could improve my response for the future, I was lost. I could not come up with any. No nurse is perfect and I am definitely far from it since I am just starting but I was always aware that this role entailed having to help patients with all kinds of things. However, this was the first time I had actually done it myself. I feel that I handled it really well. Maybe this was because I was not surprised by this role, or school preparing me well. I am proud of myself for handling it how I did. With that being said, I do not think I could say the same if my patient passed, or if I had to break the news that someone’s loved one passed, or if I am with them when diagnosed with a terminal illness. Being empathetic in one of these circumstances means also experiencing those crushing emotions. However, a lot of times, nurses do not have time to sit and feel these emotions with their patients but rather just acknowledge them and move on. They do not mean this in a bad way, and I think the reason some nurses are like that could stem from their personality and how they handle their own emotions. Either way, I feel that it is important that nurses do not carry these emotions with them throughout their shift since it can be distracting and tolling on the body.

Soon enough, I am going to be set off on my own as a nurse. I will take empathy and compassion with me throughout my career and personal life. We want to see these traits in those taking care of us but also in friends, in our significant other and children. I will use empathy and compassion in my career just as I did with this man. For all of my patients, I want to put myself in their shoes, but also act on that to help them feel better. No matter how busy I am, I do not want to share or show that with my patients. Instead I want them to feel that I have time to listen and help them with things they cannot do themself. In a hospital, everyone is going through different situations; some are entering a new human into this world and others are watching their loved one leave this world. It is important us nurses are aware of this and can switch our tones over as we communicate to patients. As I said before, empathy and compassion will assist us in showing patients that we care about them and what they have to say. This could be key to patients understanding how, when and why to take their medication(s), adherence to these medications, less pain and therefore, better patient outcomes.

Reference

Watson, J. (2010). Core Concepts of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science. Watson Caring Science Institute. ​https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/