Role of Nurses in Counteracting Depression in Children - Research Paper Example

? Role of Nurses in counteracting Depression in Children Role of Nurses in counteracting Depression in Children Introduction The nurse is an assistant who has a duty and responsibility of conducting and applying prescribed treatment. The abovementioned definition of nursing profession is taken as standard with its inconsistencies and inadequacies (Staggers & Thompson, 2002). Yet, the famous definition is insensitive towards changing and modifying role of nurses in modern medical world. According to recent research on the topic, it was found surprising that patients have a tendency to be highly attached with nurses who are responsible for taking care of the ill (Langford, 1997). However, the elder patients are believed to view and imagine nursing staff as their own daughters. In developed nations relationships among children and parents have significantly deteriorated and therefore, elders are becoming lonely and depressed (Werner, 1993). Nevertheless, all patients from different age groups are famous for practically loving their medical staff. But, in case of children, the job of nurses gets tough and challenging because psychologically, one has to become a child in order to play with a junior and because of this reason, it is recommended in multiple studies that nurses with a special kind of personality should be assigned to the children ward. Most of the nurses are notorious for having rude and rough behaviors because they are living under such level of emotional and psychological stress that they become unstable to say the least. But, again when it comes to treating children nurses are supposed to transform healing into a game so that the children’s fear can be circumvented (Swanson & Wojnar, 2004). The hospitals are providing a colorful environment for children where there are paintings of famous cartoon characters on the walls and the patients have the facility to play and engage in positive activities such as playing music and listening and watching television. The children are fighters because their bodies have been known to perform at peak proficiencies and therefore, they are not mentally aware and neither they are willing to accept their illnesses (Altimier, 2004). Both of the previously mentioned factors have the power to expedite healing process. The challenge lies in providing a proper reinforcing environment where the belief of a child can become a reality (Pesek, Helton, & Nair, 2006). Still, the nurses must be informed that elders and children heal in two very different ways. The former ones heal with the help of a listener while the latter group wants a companion, a friend, and a player. The nurses then, must allow the elders to share their experiences and should also provide a silent ear. The hospitals of the 21st century are transforming into community centers because they are taking up the roles of facilities that are helping in bridging the gaps between elders and children (Langsley & Barter, 1983). Quite a significant number of facilities are providing elders with an opportunity to share their life’s experiences with the next generation. The needs of both groups are fulfilled in this fashion because the elders have a profound need to share their knowledge whereas the children’s need to listen bedtime stories from their grandparents is satisfied as well (Doty, 1986). The nursing profession was developed and flourished as a means of assisting the physicians in the terms of devising an effective and efficient way of treating the illness (Bakken, Cashen, Mendonca, O'Brien, & Zieniewicz, 2000). But, according to the literature of modern healthcare, most of the physical diseases are just manifestation of psychological problems and diseases and therefore, it is highly recommended to cure both dimensions of the illnesses simultaneously (Weatherhead, 1951). Furthermore, the children are by-default positive thinkers but transform into a hopeless individual due to the environment and because of this reason, the hospitals are repeatedly suggested to create and foster healthy and productive environment in the children ward especially (Seligman, 2002). The whole idea is based on the notion that argues that humans have an ability to respond towards their external environment and if the environment is healthy and supportive then, the children are the ones who are going to win the race of recovery that is for sure (Vijanto, Rakallio, & Penttinan, 1978). The social exchange with the help of prophecy fulfilling theory suggests that children always want to feel important and therefore, they attempt to communicate with others. In addition, according to prophecy fulfilling theory the children both intentionally and unintentionally try and attempt to fulfill the expectations of others (Lee, 1988). In the light of above argument, the children want to communicate with medical staff whereas they also respond well towards motivation provided by the nurses (Henshel, 1982). The above paragraph highlighted the fact that there is more to nursing which meets the eye. The medicines and other interventions are not going to serve their purpose, if they are not backed up by the right and proper emotional antidote (Peale, 1992). The leading psychologists are of the view that humans have a tendency to overrate and underrate a problem and those who underrate issues and go on to spend a productive and healthy lives and are going to survive the longest (Paul, Bauer, & Catanese, 2003). The attitude of defeatism and hopelessness has to be abolished by the hospitals in order to foster and support recovery process of the patients (Peck, 2008). Research Question Following is the qualitative research question that this study will attempt to answer: - Q. Do the nurses play a significant role in child-patients’ recovery by socializing with them? Research Approach The approach that will be used in the study is discourse analysis. The technique is ideal for the analysis of oral communication (Fairclough, 1992). The technique is based on developing a summary for each in-depth interview and then, these summaries are compared in order to identify contrasts amongst the opinion of the respondents. The specific areas are highlighted where the divergence of opinion is most significant. In summary, it can be said that the technique is developed in order to measure the distance of theoretical practices and actual ones in the field. Research Methodology The potential research project will be conducted with the help of carrying out in-depth interviews of nurses working in various hospitals of the country. The method of in-depth interview is selected because its ability to filter out biasness and the interviewers may have the opportunity to clarify many ambiguous answers before leaving. Additionally, the healthcare is a multi-facet phenomenon and therefore, it is very important to cover most of its dimensions and that is possible through conduction of in-depth interviews. Finally, the respondents might have the chance to express their deep-seated emotions about their bread and butter. Data Analysis The results will be analyzed through calculating descriptive statistics. The numbers will tell the level of acceptability modern nursing practices mentioned in the study are currently receiving in the field of medicine. Research Ethics The research that is going to be conducted will be ethically sound because the participation of the respondents is voluntary. Additionally, they will have the right to withdraw during the study. Furthermore, their identities will be kept under secrecy and the collected data will be used for academic purposes only. Ensuring Rigor in Qualitative Research The research problem is valid because according to social exchange theory it can be established that patients share their problems with nurses as they are more closely working in order to heal the ill. The rigor is an integral part of the qualitative research because this type of research is specially performed to solve a problem and therefore, the need to understand the issue and its subsequent reasons requires very significant level of rigor. Following are the two methods for enhancing rigor in qualitative research: - Qualitative Analysis of Qualitative Data This technique is used in order to categorize various qualitatively gathered data in various groups. The groups are usually developed based on types of responses. The similar sorts of responses are gathered under a same header and then they are contrasted with other groups in order to highlight differences of opinion. Then, based on the division societal interventions are designed to bring harmony in the opinion of the target population. Quantitative Analysis of Qualitative Data The qualitative data that has been divided into various segments is presented in the form means and standard deviations in order to make them increasingly understandable for the public at large. The technique is developed so that people can comprehend the reality with the help of data. Reflexivity in Qualitative Research The reflexivity is a word that is used for researcher’s self-confidence and efficacy in his or her line of work. The researcher does not have the freedom and luxury to sit idle after conducting a research project on a problem. The world around the researcher is changing and therefore, the researcher has to evaluate his or her capacity to conduct basic and applied research in the modified environment. But, again the reflexivity of the research in case of this research is directly related to his interest in the topic and area because according to modern human resource research, a committed and interested individual can make essential and necessary changes in terms of research methods and techniques when needed. The researcher has to remain alert and tentative towards changing basics and fundamentals of the field. The reflexivity is important due to its value regarding evaluating researcher’s ability and confidence to do his or her job. Finally, the nursing profession is growing in terms of its application and value. The changing medical practices can be taken as the evidence. Still, the most of the facilities are operating away from the new methods of healthcare and therefore, the change, which is taking place, is slow in speed and it may take many decades before being entirely accepted. References Altimier, L. (2004). Healing environments: for patients and providers . Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews Vol 4 (2) , pp.89–92. Bakken, S., Cashen, M., Mendonca, E., O'Brien, A., & Zieniewicz, J. (2000). Representing Nursing Activities within a Concept-oriented Terminological System Evaluation of a Type Definition. J Am Med Inform Assoc Vol 7 (1) , pp.81-90 . Doty, P. (1986). Family Care of the Elderly: The Role of Public Policy. The Milbank Quarterly Vol 64 (1) , pp. 34-75. Fairclough, N. (1992). Discourse and Text: Linguistic and Intertextual Analysis within Discourse Analysis. Discourse and Society Vol 3 (2) , pp.193-217. Henshel, R. (1982). The Boundary of the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and the Dilemma of Social Prediction. The British Journal of Sociology 33 (4) , pp.511-528. Langford, C. (1997). Social support: a conceptual analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol 25 (1) , pp.95-100. Langsley, D., & Barter, J. (1983). Psychiatric roles in the community mental health center. Hospital & Community Psychiatry Vol 34 (8) , pp.729-733. Lee, J. (1988). Self-fulfilling prophecies: A theoretical and integrative review. Psychological Review Vol 93 (4) , pp. 429-445. Paul, R., Bauer, R., & Catanese, D. (2003). Food and life, pleasure and worry, among American college students: Gender differences and regional similarities. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Vol 85 (1) , pp.132-141. Peale, N. (1992). The Power of Positive Living . London: Cedar. Peck, M. (2008). The Road Less travelled The Classic Work on Relationships, Spirtual Growth and Life's Meaning . Rider, an Imprint of Ebury Publishing . Pesek, T., Helton, L., & Nair, M. (2006). Healing across Cultures: Learning from Traditions. EcoHealth Vol 3 (2) , pp.114-118. Seligman, M. (2002). Handbook of Positive Psychology . positiveculture.org. Staggers, N., & Thompson, C. (2002). The Evolution of Definitions for Nursing Informatics A Critical Analysis and Revised Definition. J Am Med Inform Assoc Vol 9 (1) , pp.255-261. Swanson, K., & Wojnar, D. (2004). Optimal Healing Environments in Nursing. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Vol 10 (1) , pp.43-48. Vijanto, G., Rakallio, J., & Penttinan, R. (1978). Collagen types in early phases of wound healing in children. Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica 144 (4) , pp.205-211. Weatherhead, L. (1951). Psychology, religion and healing. Oxford, England: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press , pp.543. Werner, E. (1993). Risk, resilience, and recovery: Perspectives from the Kauai Longitudinal Study. Development and Psychopathology Vol 6 (4) , pp. 503-515. References There are no sources in the current document. Read More