Trust builds a connection between nurses and patients that fosters a sense of security and promotes improved patient outcomes. When patients trust their nurses, they are more likely to follow care and treatment plans and share accurate information that can influence their health. Effective communication is crucial for assessment and the appropriate care planning which requires a trusting relationship. As a Homecare Support Worker (HSW), time and time again I have experienced these relationships and witnessed those that didn't measure. By creating that level of trust, my clients are able to open up about fears, concerns and experiences that have made them apprehensive about the heallthcare system. The issues that lie within their insecurities were due to a lack of trust. This causes a lot of them denying medical treatment, hospital visits and taking medications. By providing a level of comfort to talk freely about their conditions, what they need and how to execute their care plans, allows for them to trust me and my opinions and advocacy for their well being. Every client I see, current or new, I always offer an ear to listen without judgement and ways I can support them better and this is what creates the open line of communication that will be imperative to my nursing career. 

Compassion

Compassion is the basis of understanding and the emotional and physical experiences and needs of a patient. When one is in pain or fear and anxiety, providing comfort and validating concerns, also fosters healing and recovery. Emotional and physcial aspects are interconnected and compassionate care contributes to mitigating any stressors that can cause challenges to recovery. My clients have shown vulnerability in difficult times of pain, anxiety, confusion and depression due to their conditions. In every situation, I offer a shoulder to cry on and provide support and kind words of affirmation. This has strengthed my relationships with my clients, even ones I had just met, simply because I listened. Kindness in nursing goes a long way and my job has helped me see the world in different perspectives. 

 Respect

 Respect relies on patient autonomy and dignity. Every person has a right to make their own medical decisions and incorporate their ideas into a care plan. Recognizing every individual's intrinsic worth, is critical to being inclusive to their needs and valuing their perspectives. I have had to advocate for clients within their own families. When a loved one is sick, we tend to want to have control over certain things as uncertainty in a condition can cause stress. Some tend to be overbearing or controlling and this causes stress for the patient. My clients have had these situations where I have had to sit down with the family and discuss the effects it has on their loved one and how their autonomy is just as important as their wishes. Each individual has the right to feel like they are in control of their life and decisions surrounding their care. We must respect differeneces in ideas and opinions within every patient and provide our support in their beliefs. 

 Empathy

 Empathy requires the understanding appreciation of emotional and physical experiences that allows for a nurse to place themselves in someone else's perspective. This is effective in providing trust, compassion respect to ensure the patient feels validated and heard in a time of stress. Creating a safe space that provides support, encouragment and caring, allows for an individual to be able to feel vulnerable. Nurses who practice this are considerate of one's emotional, physical, social and spiritual care and contributes to the resilience of patients. Empathy humanizes nursing and goes beyond a condition and procedures. I regard all my clients as different beings that bring many things to society. They are not just a visit number, they have past experiences and stories that add value to my experience as their caretaker. I have laughed and even cried with them, shared pain and happiness all in the same day. My experiences have allowed me to live in someone's mind and lifestyle for the hour I am there and the perspective you recieve when your client shares these intimate moments with you, is life changing if you allow yourself to open your heart.