Servant Leadership In Nursing

The nursing and healthcare professions are unique in that they are responsible for caring for others. Nurses, in particular, are especially important because they have the greatest amount of contact with people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Nurses are taught early on about the holistic nature of health and wellness, the need to understand each patient’s perception of illness, and the importance of establishing therapeutic relationships with patients and their caregivers. Carrying out the plan of care without regard to patient’s needs fails to deliver the high-quality and patient-centered care capable of driving positive patient outcomes. The following sections present four examples of behaviors consistent with
She presents the concept of a wounded healer to support the idea that sometimes nurses use their personal struggles to connect with and support patients and families (O’brien, 2011). I had the opportunity to care for a young woman experiencing various severe physical symptoms associated with her anxiety. As a person who battles with anxiety, though not as severe as hers, I could empathize with her situation. I recal that when I met with her to assess her discharge planning needs and assist her with coordinating follow-up appointments, she was in obvious distress. She was restless, somewhat agitated, and clearly irritabile. I calmly explained the nature of my visit and validaded her anxieties. I let her know that I was there to help her and that my role was to ensure she was prepared for discharge. I also informed her that she was in control and that if we needed allow a little more time for her to coordinate a ride we could do that. She calmed down almost immediately and allowed me to work with her in coordinating her appointments. Being that she was a complex patient I suggested that we obtain a longer appointment with her provider so that she had sufficient time to address all her concerns. I also suggested a referral to Case Management to further assist her in coordinating future appointments. She appreciated my recommendations and was thankful for my
I met with her to discuss coordinating Home Phyiscal Therapy—a service she was well familiar with. I was impressed at how vibrant and happy she looked despite her advanced condition. As we conversed she began to share with me her story. She told me about how she was diagnosed with breast cancer twice followed by an acute brain tumor several years ago. After undergoing emergency brain surgery, which her young adult children had to consent to, she awoke unable to talk or walk. Despite this she was greatful to God for her life and for the choice her children had made. She worked hard to regain as much functionality as possible but was left with some mild cognitive impairments. Unfortunately, a few years ago, she was diagnosed with MS which she continues to battle today. I was truly amazed at her resilienciy and love of life! I did not expect to sit and talk to her for over an hour and half that afternoon but little did I know she was the one that was going to minister to