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.