Assignment - importance of psychology in nursing PDF

Preview

Summary

importance of psychology in nursing...

Description

LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE OF NURSING AND MID-WIFWERY NAME:

FELIX ZULU

COURSE:

PSYCHOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT 01:

INDIVIDUAL

TUTOR NAME:

MRS SIANKOPE

DUE DATE:

07/02/2020

NRC NUMBER:

288706/71/1

QUESTION:

THE IMPORTANCE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN NURSING

TABLE OF CONTENT Introduction……………………………………………………………...1

Definition of term………………………………………………………..2 Importance of psychology in nursing……………………………………3 Conclusion……………………………………………………………….5 References………………………………………………………………..6

INTRODUCTION

Nurses who study psychology extensively are trained to understand a wide range and depth of emotions and what those emotions can cause in ill or injured patients. ”psychology and nursing go hand in hand and this approach allows the healthcare professional to build a trusting relationship with the patients” (Hana Larock, 2018). The two fields have a strong relationship since neither is less important. Nurses seek to make an understanding of the patient’s character, thought and actions. Importantly, understanding the patient’s health needs, contribute to change of their behaviour, state of mind and emotions.

DEFINITION OF TERMS PSYCHOLOGY- The scientific study of the mind and human behaviour

NURSING- A professional field that entails taking health care of those who are weak or otherwise need attention they could provide themselves if they would MENTAL- a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community BEHAVIOUR- a person’s observable actions or reactions to external stimuli. PATIENT- a person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment. STIMULI-anything that triggers a response

IMPORTANCE The main role of a nurse is to take care of a patient. Comprehensive nursing care is psychologically important in nursing. The patient may not directly what or where the problem is

but a nurse must psychologically analyze the patient’s behaviour and discover where or what the problem is. “As nurses, we need to understand and learn how to interpret such behavior to help our patients. If as a nurse our psychological knowledge is poor we are likely to misunderstand our patients” (Mayunda, P13). For example, a patient having a back pain may always be touching the back trying to strain it, a nurse must read the behaviour and be able to detect the problem and take proper care of the patient. Assessing is a key asset that nurses need to do when dealing with patients. Psychological assessment is essential to detect the disease the patient is suffering from. “The ability to assess clients is one of the psychiatric nurse’s most important skills, the assessment process defines the client’s problem and always allows the nurse and client to establish a relationship” (Carniaux – Moan, C3, P40). Communication with the patient is vital in assessing the situation or disease one is sick of so as to find the cause of the disease. Take mental health psychologist, for example, mental health psychologist work with patients who suffer from mental illnesses or other psychological distress, they work to discover what the root of the problem is and work with the patients to determine treatment options, usually in therapy sessions. However one doesn’t need to become a psychologist to put forth psychological strategies, nurses do that all the time to assess the patient’s sickness. Nurses must psychologically give hope to patients so as to keep them positive and help them with their state of mind, keeping patients positive about their illness may help get a quick recovery. “Health benefits that positive thinking are increased life, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to a common cold, better psychological and physical wellbeing” (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Being positive with their patients helps create a good relationship and also helps the nurse understand the illness affects the mental status of the patients. For example, a nurse who’s nursing a patient that has a heart problem should by all means, try to keep the patient from being stressed, the nurse should do their level best to ensure the patient is happy and positive. ”State of mind has a direct link to biological process and behaviour. Chemical processes that lead to stress may result from fear and insecurity” (G.E, 2006). Psychology is helpful to students pursuing a nursing career, it prepares them for what is to be faced when nursing a patient. It is important that students are motivated in the right way so as

to help them handle the patients in the right way. “When am observing a student in the ward and they look all nervous and shaky I will not demotivate you rather when you are done I will praise you for what you did right and ask you to work on some areas of improvement” (Catherine Moonga, 2020). This form of psychology helps build better nurses for patients with the right motivation. Psychology will assist patients to cope with changes, belief, and maintain control of life. An aspect of loss is a critical issue and nurses should help the patients adapt to it. By doing so patients recollect themselves, reevaluate life, believes, and drive a mood of fulfilment. This state of loss has an association with psychological processes that take place in a patient and need understanding in order to tackle the grief. Patients have different backgrounds and react differently to impending issues; young patients have hostility and sometimes anger. “Professionals will seek to research on underlying feelings that may accompany loss in order to deliver informed counselling, which uplifts patients from grief. Optimism changes behaviour, perception, and patterns of mental thought” (W., 2005). An optimistic nurse delivers the same to the patient thereby bringing comfort. This changes a patient’s attitude that is scientifically true to boost immune system contributing to physical health and eventual recovery. Biological functioning and structure set up affect human behaviour. A nurse needs to understand the biological perspective of human set up. This is a crucial field since failure to comprehend that patients biological structure and functioning affects behaviour, renders the nurse handicap in trying to improve the health status of patients. Simple facts like reasons why human beings cannot fly are important to understand. There are extensive fields of study on human biology and the many processes that go on in the human body. These reactions can be chemical, physiological or both and they have a hand in behaviour thought and well-being.

SUMMARY Nursing and psychology are diversely separate fields that are interrelated and interdependent. Nursing as a profession focuses on helping patients recover from health illnesses.

Psychology on the other hand, explores the mental processes and its effect on human behaviour. Nursing and psychology are interdependently linked to aid patients adequately come out of ill health. It is crucial that a nurse comprehend the behaviour and emotional feeling associated with the state of a patient. It is vital that a nurse with desires to reorganize psychologically broken patient recover.

REFERENCES W., S. (2005). Counselling Theory and Practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. G.E., C. S. (2006). Psychology. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Hana Larock, 2018. Work.chrone.com/nursing-career-related-psychology-15590.html Christine Carniaux-Maon, The psychiatric nursing assignment, chapter 3, Page 40 Milupi Inonge Muyunda, psychology and nursing Mayo Clinic, 1st January 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/health-lifestyle/stress-management/indepth/positive-thinking/art-20043950 Catherine Moonga, Senior tutor, Livingstone College of nursing and midwifery....