Posted: May 21st, 2023

Enhancing the Illness Experience: A Nurse’s Role in Patient Care

Essay
Assessment Task 2 is a 2000 word essay.

The task requires you to draw on your learning over the semester about your role as a nurse within the illness experience and the effect you have on those in your care. A significant component of this assessment, requires you to explore strategies that you will employ to improve the illness experience of those for whom you provide care and their families.

A good starting point is to ask yourself the following questions:

How do I currently provide care? Describe the care, provide an analysis, evaluate what you do. This requires you to reflect, you need to dig deep.
How do the unit themes fit with my experiences?
How does the environment in which I provide care impact patients experiences? Does the physical, social or political environment affect care?
What strategies can I put in place to improve the patient experience? (not nurses, management, medical staff experiences – patient and family experiences)

Assessment Task 2 Rubric
Please read the AT2 Rubric for this assessment task carefully.

FAQ’s
I work part-time in community palliative care and part-time on a medical ward – which professional perspective/context should I focus on?

You can select either, but if you work in more than one professional context, just select one.

I am not sure what you mean by the physical, social and political environment, can you give me an example of each?

Absolutely. In terms of the physical environment, this may reflect the design/layout of a ward – is your environment conducive to providing an excellent experience -is there natural light, are the rooms so small that privacy and dignity are hard to achieve? Are the bathrooms across the corridor? In an outpatient setting, are the chairs so close together, private communication is impossible?

The social environment, is really about the culture. Is turnover so high that you feel you work in a factory? Do patients feel the pressure to get ‘in and out’? Are visiting hours restricted because it makes life easier for staff? You can have two medical wards side by side and the culture of each can be completely different – often this is determined by the ward/unit leadership.

The political environment refers to the external pressures we may face, for example bed block and bed pressure, discharge pressures, meeting KPI’s and other output measures.

Are references included in the word count?

No, in-text references, direct quotes and your reference list are not included in the word count.

Does the plus/minus 10% rule apply to the word count?

Yes, it does. You can go 10% under or over the word count.

Should I write in the first or third person?

Please write your essay in the first person.

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Enhancing the Illness Experience: A Nurse’s Role in Patient Care

Introduction:
As a nurse, my role within the illness experience extends beyond administering medications and providing physical care. I have the privilege of impacting the lives of patients and their families, contributing to their overall well-being during challenging times. This essay aims to explore the strategies that can be employed to improve the illness experience for those under my care and their families. By reflecting on my current practices, analyzing the care provided, evaluating the unit themes, and considering the impact of the environment, I will outline effective approaches to enhance the patient experience.

Reflection on Current Care Practices:
To improve the illness experience, I must critically reflect on my current care practices. This involves examining my communication skills, empathy, and the level of patient-centered care I provide. I acknowledge that effective communication is vital in establishing trust, understanding patient needs, and fostering a positive therapeutic relationship. Reflecting on my communication style, I can identify areas for improvement, such as active listening and incorporating patient preferences into care plans.

Analysis of Care Provided:
Analyzing the care I provide requires a holistic approach, considering the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of patient well-being. It is crucial to assess the effectiveness of pain management, symptom control, and overall comfort measures. By reflecting on specific patient encounters, I can evaluate the impact of my interventions on their quality of life. This analysis will enable me to identify strengths and areas for improvement in delivering patient care.

Integration of Unit Themes:
The unit themes explored throughout the semester provide valuable insights into the nurse’s role within the illness experience. These themes, such as patient empowerment, cultural sensitivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration, can significantly influence the care provided. By integrating these themes into my nursing practice, I can enhance the illness experience for patients and their families. For instance, by empowering patients to actively participate in decision-making, I can promote autonomy and a sense of control over their care.

Impact of the Care Environment:
The care environment plays a crucial role in shaping patients’ experiences. Examining the physical, social, and political aspects of the environment allows me to identify factors that may hinder or promote positive patient outcomes. Physical environment considerations may include aspects such as privacy, natural lighting, and accessibility, while the social environment encompasses the ward culture and staff-patient interactions. The political environment refers to external pressures, such as bed block and meeting key performance indicators. By critically assessing these factors, I can propose strategies to improve the care environment and enhance the patient experience.

Strategies for Improving the Patient Experience:
To enhance the patient experience, it is essential to implement effective strategies. These strategies should prioritize patient-centered care and address the identified areas for improvement. Some potential strategies may include:

a) Enhancing communication skills: Engaging in regular communication training to improve active listening, empathy, and therapeutic communication techniques.

b) Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration: Foster strong relationships with other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to patient care.

c) Implementing patient education programs: Develop informative materials and educational sessions to empower patients and their families, enabling them to actively participate in their care.

d) Creating a comfortable and supportive environment: Advocate for improvements in the physical environment, such as privacy enhancements and optimizing natural lighting. Promote a culture of respect, empathy, and patient-centeredness within the social environment.

e) Advocating for patient rights: Actively participate in initiatives that aim to address external pressures and improve healthcare policies, ensuring patient needs are prioritized.

Conclusion:
As a nurse, my role in improving the illness experience extends beyond basic caregiving. By reflecting on my current practices, analyzing the care provided, integrating unit themes, and considering the impact of the care environment, I can develop strategies to enhance the

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