This is a discussion posting from week one where we were instructed to rank our top 10 values.  I created a wordcloud attached for a visual representation of my values.

Hi everyone, my name is Niki I have been an RPN since 2015 and work on a Medical Floor in the Niagara Region.  I enjoyed this activity and found it easy to identify 25 values that stood out but difficult to rank 10.  My list is:  Communication, Trust, Empathy, Dependability, Humour, Openmindedness, Quality, Patience, Respect and Equality.  My word cloud is below.  The College of Nurses of Ontario(CNO) Ethics Practice Standard outlines seven values that are important to care – I recognize that some of my own values overlap (CNO, 2009). 

The second week of this course included a discussion topic about diving deeper and examining nursing values, our individual culture, and how they come together.

Original Post:

“Respect” was the word I was instantly drawn to from my top ten values.  For the first time in my life recently I was in a position where I had to be a patient in the hospital.  To say that I was scared would be an understatement.  I had a very negative experience and this has inspired me to do better.  I believe that I have always been conscientious of respecting patient’s privacy, to explain what I am doing before I do it, and to use health teaching when appropriate however I know there are times when I do not do that.  I could give reasons (or excuses) like it is a busy medical floor, no one is perfect.. etc but is that good enough?  Respect is the word I have chosen because of the overriding message that when you respect your patient, yourself, your practice - you are better.  I have created a workcloud about my experience as a patient.  According to Srivastava (2006), cultural challenges are born out of the differences in values, beliefs, and expectations between healthcare providers and their patients.  I do not feel that it was a cultural difference that was the source of conflict but a difference in values - my perspective has changed. 

Original Post

Nurses must demonstrate culturally competent care when interacting with patients.  According to the College of Nurses (CNO), therapeutic communication strategies include recognizing that effectively establishing a relationship that is therapeutic affects the patient’s wellbeing and in order to do so, the nurse must be able to demonstrate respect and sensitivity for the patients choices.  A patients choices will have come from their individual values, beliefs, culture and even religion (CNO, 2006).  A communication strategy that can help a nurse to build a therapeutic relationship with someone who speaks another language includes using an interpreter (CNO, 2009).  Using an interpreter can be done respecting the clients wellbeing and choice by using the following strategies set out in the Culturally Sensitive Practice Standard (2009).  Seeking permission first to use an interpreter will help build trust.  Maintaining confidentiality is a priority, and finally, speaking directly to the patient rather than the interpreter will maintain trust.

Original Post:

I feel that the most significant way that I can maintain my cultural competency is to use practice reflection.  Practice reflection refers to mindfully considering events and situations that made us think, challenged our beliefs and values, or made us uncomfortable.  The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) advises that using practice reflection demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning and continuing competence (Practice reflection: learning from practice, 2015).  Being open to criticism and feedback, being curious and asking questions, as well as being kind can help with client centered care.  In order to increase cultural competency I think it including it as part of the yearly quality assurance plan set out by the CNO.  Creating specific goals that increase cultural competency and following a plan will help achieve these results.

Original Post:

Reading and Wien (2013) state that determinants of health can be grouped into three categories; proximal, intermediate, and distal.  The hardships of poverty and the reasons for poverty extend over all three categories, but where poverty really leaves it’s mark, however, is in the proximal category.  Proximal category includes health behaviours, physical and social environments. The authors of “Health Inequalities and Social Determinants of Aboriginal Peoples' Health” discuss how the poverty impacts the “lack of access to material resources” (2013, p. 13) which includes healthy foods – this leads to poor cardiovascular and renal health, obesity, and higher rates of diabetes.  Anxiety, low self esteem, hopelessness and insecurity from the lack of control poverty creates –  is a form of psychological stress that also has an effect on physical health.  Socioeconomic status for aboriginal peoples as a social determinant of health is important for nurses to discuss to in order to facilitate client centered care.

Reflection for Thesis Paper

I absolutely enjoyed writing this thesis paper because it is a topic I am passionate about.   I enjoyed posting my thesis in our weekly discussion board and getting feedback as to what direction I could go.  The article I choose by Michael Hobbs is a fascinating read on the obesity epidemic in the United States and I hope I was able to shed some light on the disparities in healthcare that the obese face in Canada.