Caring for Others

Caring is defined as “a nurturing way of relating to a valued other toward whom one feels a personal sense of commitment and responsibility” (Swanson, 1993, p. 354).

Questions to reflect on when caring for others:

• What is my patient’s definition of optimal health/wellbeing?
• What is my role in assisting my patient to work toward that goal?
• What resources are required to provide the optimal care to my patient?
• What can I do to contribute to an optimal caring environment for the provision of quality care to my patients?
• What outcomes do I expect to measure if I have been successful in providing quality nursing care to my patients?

Swanson, K.M. (1993). Nursing as informed caring for the well-being of others. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 25(4), 352-357