For this assignment I have chosen an image that represents love in the field of Nursing. This is a concept that I feel is very important in the field of nursing. Love is vital for nurses to convey to their patients because it is how they build a trusting relationship with them. It is also important for the patient’s mental health, if they know that they are feeling loved and important then they will be happier in their time at the hospital. Love is also part of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This hierarchy helps the nurses come up with the best care for each of their patients. There are 5 levels in this hierarchy, starting from the bottom these levels include physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. This hierarchy helps nurses understand how and when to address physical, mental, psychological and emotional needs. Love and belonging exists 3rd from the bottom on this hierarchy, which means that first the patients physiological needs will be met then there safest and security needs will be met after that. After we make sure the patient is safe and secure, we the nurse can focus on their love and belonging needs. This can consist of simply just having a conversation with your patient to let them know that you care for them, or it can be having their family come and visit often to support the patient in their stay at the hospital. I was able to witness this firsthand when my grandma was hospitalized and when I would go to visit her, I would observe how my aunt who is a registered nurse would provide care for her. She was always making sure that my grandma was safe and feeling loved. These events in my life had a huge impact on my decision to choose nursing because I want to be the one to provide that care for somebody’s loved ones.
