Our Nurses, Our Future

Abstract: Nurses, the unsung heroes of healthcare, are pivotal in shaping the future of healthcare. They stand at the forefront of patient care, exhibiting compassion, expertise, and unwavering support to individuals and communities alike. Beyond administering direct medical care, nurses fulfill multifaceted roles as educators, advocates, and contributors to healthcare policies and practices. As the healthcare landscape changes, nurses are stepping into advanced roles, embracing leadership, research, and innovation, cementing their status as indispensable assets to the healthcare system. Moreover, nurses serve as mentors and role models, inspiring future healthcare professionals and contributing to cultivating a healthier, more equitable society. This talk will delve into the multifaceted contributions of nurses and explore how they embody the hope of the future, catalyzing positive change and elevating the health and well-being of society.

Introduction

Nurses play an indispensable role in shaping the well-being of the future. Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system. Nursing is not a mere profession, but a vocation, a call to serve humanity. They are the guarantee of health. They are tirelessly working to provide exceptional care, support, and advocacy for patients worldwide. The myriad ways nurses contribute to healthcare transformation, serving as beacons of hope and catalysts for positive change cannot be undermined. Thus, serving humanity is the greatest profession in this world.

The Crucial Role of Nurses in Patient Care

Let us begin by acknowledging the fundamental role nurses play in patient care. Nurses are the first point of contact for many individuals seeking healthcare services. They possess a unique blend of clinical expertise and compassionate care, which is instrumental in alleviating suffering and promoting healing. From administering medications to comforting patients during times of distress, nurses embody the essence of holistic care. Moreover, nurses serve as patient educators, empowering individuals to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their well-being. Through their unwavering dedication, nurses establish trusting relationships with patients, fostering a sense of security and confidence in the healthcare system.

Compassionate Caregivers: At the heart of nursing lies compassion. Nurses provide holistic care to patients, addressing their physical ailments and emotional and psychological needs. In times of illness or distress, it is often the reassuring presence of a nurse that brings comfort and solace to patients and their families.

Advocates for Health Equity: Nurses are staunch advocates for health equity and social justice. They recognize the systemic barriers that hinder access to quality healthcare and tirelessly work to dismantle them. Through their advocacy efforts, nurses strive to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, receives the care and support they deserve.

Leaders in Innovation: In an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving healthcare practices, nurses are at the forefront of innovation. They leverage their clinical expertise and firsthand knowledge of patient needs to drive improvements in healthcare delivery, whether through the adoption of new technologies, the implementation of evidence-based practices, or the development of novel care models.

Educators and Mentors: Nurses play a pivotal role in educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. As mentors and preceptors, they impart invaluable knowledge and skills to aspiring nurses, instilling in them the values of professionalism, empathy, and lifelong learning. By nurturing future leaders in healthcare, nurses ensure a legacy of excellence that will endure for generations to come.

Agents of Change: Perhaps most importantly, nurses are agents of change. They possess the unique ability to effect positive change at both the individual and societal levels. Whether it is advocating for policy reforms, championing public health initiatives, or simply lending a listening ear to those in need, nurses are catalysts for transformation, driving progress towards a healthier, more equitable future.

Advocacy and Policy Development

In addition to their clinical responsibilities, nurses are fervent advocates for patient rights and welfare. They possess a keen understanding of the social determinants of health and work tirelessly to address disparities and injustices within the healthcare system. Nurses leverage their unique position to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, advocating for equitable access to healthcare services and resources. Furthermore, nurses actively participate in the development of healthcare policies and practices, drawing upon their firsthand experiences to shape legislation and regulations that prioritize patient safety and well-being. Through their advocacy efforts, nurses champion systemic change and promote a more just and inclusive healthcare system for all.

Leadership, Research, and Innovation

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, nurses are increasingly assuming leadership roles and spearheading innovative initiatives to improve patient outcomes. Whether it be leading interdisciplinary care teams or implementing evidence-based practices, nurses exhibit exemplary leadership qualities that drive organizational success and promote a culture of excellence. Moreover, nurses are at the forefront of healthcare research, conducting groundbreaking studies that advance medical knowledge and inform best practices. Their research contributions not only enhance patient care but also pave the way for future innovations in healthcare delivery. Through their commitment to continuous learning and professional development, nurses are revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare and inspiring positive change across the industry.

Mentorship and Inspiring the Next Generation

One of the most profound impacts nurses have is in their role as mentors and role models for aspiring healthcare professionals. Nurses possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that they generously share with students and novice clinicians. Through mentorship programs and clinical preceptorships, nurses impart valuable skills and wisdom to the next generation of healthcare providers, instilling in them a sense of purpose and passion for their chosen profession. Moreover, nurses lead by example, demonstrating the importance of empathy, resilience, and advocacy in providing high-quality patient care. By nurturing future leaders in healthcare, nurses ensure a legacy of excellence that will endure for generations to come.

How do nurses contribute to economic development through healthcare delivery?

Nurses play a crucial role in economic development through healthcare delivery in several ways:

Direct Patient Care: Nurses provide essential healthcare services, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with procedures. By ensuring timely and effective care, nurses contribute to the overall health and productivity of individuals, which in turn supports economic activity.

Preventive Care and Health Promotion: Nurses are often at the forefront of preventive care and health promotion efforts. By educating patients about healthy lifestyle choices, conducting screenings, and promoting vaccination campaigns, nurses help prevent illnesses and reduce healthcare costs associated with treating preventable diseases.

Efficient Resource Utilization: Nurses are trained to assess patient needs and allocate resources effectively. By optimizing healthcare resource utilization, such as hospital beds, medical supplies, and staff time, nurses contribute to cost containment within healthcare systems, which is essential for economic sustainability.

Supporting Healthcare Innovation: Nurses often contribute to healthcare innovation by participating in research, implementing new technologies, and advocating for evidence-based practices. By fostering innovation in healthcare delivery, nurses contribute to improved patient outcomes and the development of new products and services, which can stimulate economic growth.

Job Creation and Economic Stimulus: The healthcare sector is a significant source of employment, and nurses make up a large portion of the workforce. By creating jobs and generating income for individuals and families, nurses contribute to local economies and support broader economic development.

Global Health Diplomacy: In global health contexts, nurses contribute to economic development by participating in humanitarian missions, capacity-building initiatives, and health infrastructure development projects. By sharing expertise and resources with communities in need, nurses contribute to improved health outcomes and economic development worldwide.

How does nursing innovation fuel progress?

Nursing innovation fuels progress in healthcare in several significant ways:

Improved Patient Outcomes: Nursing innovations often focus on improving patient care and outcomes. Whether it's through the development of new treatment protocols, innovative medical devices, or enhanced nursing practices, these innovations directly contribute to better patient health and recovery.

Enhanced Efficiency and Workflow: Innovations in nursing can streamline healthcare processes, making them more efficient and reducing the burden on healthcare providers. For example, the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine platforms has revolutionized how nurses document patient information and communicate with other members of the healthcare team, leading to improved coordination of care and time savings.

Promotion of Evidence-Based Practice: Nursing innovation is closely tied to evidence-based practice, which involves integrating the latest research findings into clinical decision-making. By developing and adopting innovative practices based on scientific evidence, nurses ensure that patient care is grounded in the best available knowledge, leading to safer and more effective treatments.

Addressing Healthcare Disparities: Nursing innovation can also play a crucial role in addressing healthcare disparities by developing solutions that improve access to care for underserved populations. For example, mobile health clinics staffed by nurses bring essential healthcare services directly to communities lacking access to traditional healthcare facilities, thereby reducing disparities in healthcare delivery.

Empowering Patients and Caregivers: Many nursing innovations focus on empowering patients and their caregivers to take an active role in managing their health. This might involve the development of patient education materials, self-management tools, or mobile health apps that enable patients to monitor their health conditions and communicate with their healthcare providers more effectively.

Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Nursing innovation often occurs in collaboration with other healthcare disciplines, such as medicine, pharmacy, and engineering. These interdisciplinary partnerships bring together diverse expertise and perspectives to tackle complex healthcare challenges, leading to more holistic and innovative solutions.

Driving Economic Growth: Nursing innovation can also fuel economic growth by stimulating investment in research and development, creating new job opportunities in healthcare and related industries, and fostering the commercialization of new healthcare products and services.

How nurses are cornerstones of the healthcare system?

Nurses serve as cornerstones of the healthcare system in numerous ways:

1. Direct Patient Care: Nurses are often the primary providers of bedside care, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with daily activities. Their constant presence and hands-on care ensure that patients receive the attention they need to recover and manage their health conditions effectively.
2. Patient Advocacy: Nurses act as advocates for their patients, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are respected within the healthcare system. They communicate patient concerns to other members of the healthcare team, help patients navigate complex medical decisions, and ensure that patients receive the information they need to make informed choices about their care.
3. Coordination of Care: Nurses play a central role in coordinating care across different healthcare settings and disciplines. They collaborate with physicians, therapists, social workers, and other members of the healthcare team to develop and implement comprehensive care plans that address the physical, emotional, and social needs of patients.
4. Health Education and Promotion: Nurses provide valuable health education to patients and their families, empowering them to make healthy lifestyle choices and manage chronic conditions effectively. They offer guidance on topics such as nutrition, medication management, wound care, and disease prevention, helping patients take an active role in their own health and well-being.
5. Preventive Care: Nurses are instrumental in delivering preventive care services, such as immunizations, screenings, and health assessments. By identifying risk factors early and intervening proactively, nurses help prevent the onset of illnesses and promote overall health and wellness within their communities.
6. Emotional Support: Nurses provide essential emotional support to patients and their families during times of illness, injury, and recovery. They offer empathy, compassion, and reassurance, helping patients cope with the challenges they face and navigate the emotional aspects of their healthcare journey.
7. Quality Improvement: Nurses actively participate in quality improvement initiatives within healthcare organizations, contributing their insights and expertise to enhance patient safety, efficiency, and outcomes. They monitor patient care processes, identify areas for improvement, and implement evidence-based practices to drive continuous quality improvement.
8. Community Engagement: Nurses engage with their communities to promote health and wellness through outreach programs, health fairs, and educational events. They collaborate with community organizations, schools, and local governments to address health disparities, promote healthy behaviors, and improve access to healthcare services for underserved populations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nurses are the driving force behind healthcare transformation, embodying the hope of the future and making a profound impact on the health and well-being of society. From their compassionate care at the bedside to their leadership in shaping healthcare policy, nurses play a vital role in advancing the goals of a more equitable and patient-centred healthcare system. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, let us recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of nurses and work together to support and empower them in their mission to create a healthier and more vibrant future for all. Thank you.

Nurses embody hope – hope for better health outcomes, hope for a more compassionate healthcare system, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. As we look to the future, let us recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of nurses, and continue to support and empower them in their mission to build a healthier, more resilient society for all.

Fr. Raju Felix Crasta

I want to Study: An Inspirational Success Story

The Recent news from Rewari of Haryana shook the conscience of the education department. The news was about the Right to Education. About 80 girl students fearing harassment in travelling a long distance to attend the higher education after Matric sat for the hunger strike. On the fifth day, the education department came up with a written assurance of opening a Plus Two school for them. Well done the daughter of India. I was in goose bumps reading the news which enabled me to pen down these few lines.

Some want to educate themselves and be somebody in the society, while the others want to be where they are! It is funny and surprising that for over ten years government did not feel the need to address the situation in spite of the repeated request for the up gradation of the school, nor it heard the cry of eve teasing on the way to high school. Some raised the voice and closed their senses willingly and unwillingly. 

Who is to be blamed? Government? Education Department? Officials? Parents? Eve teasers? Village Sarpunch? Villagers? Children themselves? Should we blame our system? Each one of us is to be blamed. But some are to be blamed more and some less. 

Government officials say that they would consider the demand of the people. But the children are not satisfied with their oral recitation of assurances. This is just because, the people have lost faith in the functioning of the government. How will the people have faith? When the government gives only bold headlines in the newspapers and TV for the publicity sake and not doing anything at the ground level, funds meant for the education are diverted to the vested interest of the authorities, schools are closed for various reasons or the existing schools are used for the political publicity, the people will lose their faith in the authorities. 

Another jolt is on the minority educational institutions. For many political parties, they are money making institutions, centers of conversion and places of anti-social activities. A watchful look at the institutions where they are established will show that they actually cater the education of the last, least and lost. But the colour blind eyes of the officials find them as nuisance to the up growing elite and fanatically oriented institutions. Therefore, in order to put a check on these, government is back footing the funds, permission and needed recognition. Other kinds of harassment are uncountable. 

Consider the present education policy. School is not supposed to fail any student till the Matric, nor the teachers can give any kind of punishment for not doing the homework. What kind of psychological markup is promulgated here? “I don’t need to study, anyhow I will pass.” If we see the children of elite, majority of them are not studying in government schools. Rather they are in the highly reputed schools of the country spending thousands of rupees per day. It is Okay. But why are the ordinary people deprived of high standard education? There is a psychological reason for it. If the minority is educated and become somebody in the society, they will be a threat for the existence of the elite. Therefore, ‘it is better that they are where they are. Push them to periphery and do not allow them to reach the centre,’ is the ideology at work. 

Another reason that we have not yet become a developed country is the stigmata that we are carrying on our shoulders. It is the stigmata of “I am not able to do it”. For the centuries, we have been telling to ourselves that we are “like this only”. Our elders said the same thing, “We are fit for washing the dishes only. We are not supposed to study. Girls any way go to their in-laws house and so why to teach them? Women are for the sake of men….” We need to come out from this and boldly assert ourselves, “Yes, We Can. We Will. We are Able.” The power of positive thinking has enabled those girls from Haryana to take a revolutionary step and demand for right to education. Today their cry is heard. India needs several such daunting girls today. 

Did those children ask for something extraordinary? Did they demand gold, silver or wealth? They just asked, “We want to study without fear.” They asked for their right. Child has the right to ask for the basic necessity from its parent and it is the duty of the parent to provide what is moral and just. Government is the parent of every child. It has the duty to provide quality education and make the child grow in wisdom and knowledge. Today several children in our villages and slums are earnestly requesting the same, “provide us teachers, provide us education, provide us knowledge, provide us schools, provide us schools of higher learning, provide us opportunities to excel, provide us jobs, provide us our basic rights….” May our parents listen to us. 

For the news see, (See the news published in various national dailies, http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/may/16/haryana-girls-fearing-harassment-sit-on-hunger-strike-for-school-upgradation-1605377.html). 

Also Published in 

http://velivada.com/ on 2017/05/18 entitled "I Want to Study: An Inspirational Success Story". 

http://velivada.com/2017/05/18/want-study-inspirational-success-story/

Fr. Raju Felix Crasta

Fear of Existence as the Suppression of Integration

The Article is first published in the following site. 
http://velivada.com/2017/05/17/fear-existence-suppression-integration/

Fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain or threat. The fear could be real or imagined, often accompanied with increased autonomic activity. Seeing a rope lying on the floor at dusk one jumps over, gasping for breath, thinking that it is a snake which is about to bite. It takes few minutes before to know that it was in fact the rope. The imagined snake is verily, the stationary snake or it may be elsewhere! Some Psychologists claim that the fear is not real, only an imagination and while the others claim the contra view. Medically, it is an autonomic reaction to cope with an impending threat. Whatever may be the case, I am not reflecting in this line of thought. What I do draw from here is a reaction emerging from this threat. 

Fear of existence is the reaction drawn by the existence of the other who pose an imagined or real threat to the one who is frightened. The resulting reaction can move in two directions: either can challenge the other or can integrate the other. When it is challenged, the end result is devastating. When the other is accommodated, the fear changes into joy and peace. 

The inbreeding fundamentalistic tendencies, the growing anti-social hidden activities and agendas, ‘white-washed’ developmental projects of the state and the country are nothing but few traces of the alienation of the other. The existence of the one threatens the existence of the other. And this is the existential reality. 

Often it is understood as the dictum goes, ‘the might is right’. Powerful are the rulers and the powerless are the subjects to be enslaved. Be that, it might be. A question very well can pose here is, “to what does the present authority is threatened of?” Is it that it has no power to lord over, or is it that the purpose is to have a holistic development, or has it got any other agendas to accomplish? The very simple reason could be, the fear of the existence of the minority. Sounds very strange!

Muslim population in the country is just 14.2%, while the Christian population is just 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, Buddhism 0.8% and Jainism 0.4% according to the 2011 census. However, the threat posed to majority religion that form 80% of the total population is mostly by the first two minority groups. This is very clear from the number of atrocities and persecution done against Muslims and Christians. 

This difference in opinion towards the minority religion is due to the threat the majority religion is now facing, the threat of its existence. This threat is inflicted from three sides: i.) Materialism and agnosticism of the postmodern time and thus the declining religiosity, ii.) Growing world-wide minority population and strength creating certain uncertainty, iii.) Literary revolution which is creating a social awareness. 

The religion once ruled the whole nation without much struggle is at the verge of division and separation. Several vested interested groups and people are claiming to be the real custodians of the religion. At the same time, agnosticism moved by the postmodernism and materialistic culture is growing. While the other minority religions having distinct commander-in-chief guide the integrity of it, the majority religion of the county lacks it. Too many deafening and inhuman practices are being questioned by the educated society. And therefore, many opt to be ‘skeptics’ or ‘agnostics’. The literary revolution brought by Christian missionaries is yielding its fruit in the country. The opening of several educational institutions in the urban and villages have opened the windows to the new waves of thinking. Higher education has become need of the hour. What has made here is the growing rationality amongst the people to judge right from wrong (or at least from dangerous thinking). The existential awareness of the situation coupled with the education is not ready to accept anything for granted. The perceived threat here is not by the thousands of educated people but by a mere 2% educated think-tanks of the society. It is this minor percentage of educated among the total educated who bring out any change in the society. It is these 2% who think ahead of 20 years and bring out new vision for the society. Till 200 hundred years ago ordinary people simply followed word to word what the influential people said may be with or without reason. Today, even an ordinary person looks for justification of the such claims made.

Along with this the ruling elite is trying to silence the voices of the common man. The existential fear can be seen here in three ways: by ignoring the weak, by silencing the voices and by diverting the attention. As long as the oppressed people’s movements, voices and struggles are weak and imperceptible, the fearing elite will tend to ignore the weak. At times they will give an impression as if nothing wrong has happened or everything is normal. They will give such statements as if there is no hell on earth, everything is in its heavenly bliss. 

If this does not work, then they will go for the second option – silencing the oppressed. The main target group of silence is the leaders of the oppressed. Often, the demand for justice is brought into fore by some emergent charismatic leaders. Now the elite class will stifle the movement by neutralizing the leadership by hook or crook. They will allure them with money, power and position and if this plan fails, then the path chosen is physical elimination. This is followed by silencing the potential leaders of the group, if needed. 

At the failure of both the above plans, the third trick is put in to practice – diversion of the attention. It is scientifically proved that human memory is often short-termed. After a few days of the incident however brutal it might, the event is forgotten or at least bears less significance. Similarly, the fearful class when it senses mass movement, opts for a radical movement. It is a well-thought out diversions and distractions into the scenario that the original thrust of the movement and struggle are diluted. They effectively bring out ‘development-ism’, ‘regional autonomy’, ‘constitutionality’, ‘amendments’, ‘law and order’ etc. weapons to divert the issues. 

A genuine well-being will have no opposition whatever situation it might be or at least it will survive all the odds posed against it. The sixth sense of the beneficiaries will perceive the goodness by which it is implemented without having any issues. But today, most of the welfare schemes of the government however excellent, are not reaching to the ordinary people because of the motive with which they are prepared. We can note this very well in our own families. If the mother is full of vengeance towards a person, the child who sucks her breasts will constantly fall sick. From a positive thought, a positive vibration or aura and from the negativity only a destructive aura is created. 

The genuine integration safeguards every culture, tradition, ethnicity, identity, class and structure. The democracy and the constitutional rights are well protected in a genuine integrated system. The government has no moral right to imposes something on certain section of the society just because it needs to come under mainstream culture. One section of the society cannot uphold that it is the mainstream culture and others as primitive. Drawing one into other is not the integration, but the murder of culture. It is this psychological threat of existence of one’s superiority that takes up the drastic step to eliminate the other.

Fr. Raju Felix Crasta

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Picture Source:    http://energeticsinstitute.com.au/fear-of-life-fear-of-anger/