An analysis of counselling and counselling skill as a therapeutic Essay - 1

An analysis of counselling and counselling skill as a therapeutic intervention in nursing an amputee patient - Essay Example Counselling skills involve the use of a range of specific skills by the counsellor to help the client. The core of counselling skills includes the skills of listening, reflecting and empathy (Corney, 1995.) There is no universally accepted single definition for counselling skills. Counselling skills differs from listening skills and counselling on the basis of the intentions of the user (Palmer & MacMahon, 1997). The intention is to enhance the performance of their functional role, as nurse, tutor, social worker etc., and in turn, the recipient will, perceive them in that functional role (Palmer & MacMahon, 1997) In other words, it can be said that a person using counselling skills is enhancing communication with someone without assuming a role as their counsellor (Palmer & MacMahon, 1997). The recipient perceives this as an action within a professional/caring role (Palmer S, MacMahon G, 1997) Not every one who uses counselling skills can be called a counsellor. A counsellor uses counselling skills as a distinct profession (Sutton & Stewart, 2002). Others might use counselling skills as part of their other skills. This might be only temporary (Sutton & Stewart, 2002.) There is a difference between counselling, advice, persuasion and undue influence. Advice involves telling a person what to do or not to do. Counselling involves telling a person what is possible, and not what to do (Sutton & Stewart, 2002.) Exerting undue influence or manipulation is done against a persons will, making the person feel uncomfortable or angry. Counselling on the other hand involves exploration of all the alternatives (Sutton & Stewart, 2002.) There is also a difference between counselling and other forms of helping. The primary difference is the way in which the counsellor actively listens. It also involves being aware of the client’s non-verbal communications, body posture, gestures etc. (Sutton & Stewart, 2002.) 1. Interpersonal skills-a competent

Research and DNP Programs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Research and DNP Programs - Essay Example Nursing has evolved with time right from the days of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing who saw the role of nursing as having "change of somebody's health" based on the knowledge of "how to put the body in such a state to be free of disease or to recover from disease". The early twentieth century saw the affiliation of nursing education with Universities and formation of nursing organizations. The early twenty first century saw nursing as a profession with population changes, increased life span, new diseases like cancer and life style changes throwing new challenges on the profession. Thus, today nursing is a profession rather than a vocation (Patricia A Potter, 2005). The profession has extended education avenues, a body of knowledge leading to defined skills, an ability to provide specific service, professional autonomy to make decisions governed by a code of ethics. Autonomy is an element of nursing profession today. Autonomy means that a nurse is independent reasonably and self-governing in making decisions in practice. There are independent measures a nurse can initiate without medical orders. The nurse is a 'client advocate'. She protects the human and legal rights of the patient under her care, based on his/her cultural and religious affil iations. The nurse is a 'Care Giver' helping the patient regain health through the process of healing. Healing is not just curing of the illness, but a process that addresses the holistic health care needs of the patient including emotional, spiritual and social well being. The nurse is the pivot of all communications in the health care delivery system. Communication includes documentary communication for legal safe guards and also communication with patients and their families. The process of communication is vital to give effective care, take decisions, co-ordinate manage patient care, assist in rehabilitation and offer comfort. A nurse explains to her patients the concepts and facts of health, demonstrates health care and self care activities so that the patient understands the importance of these aspects of health care. She informally reinforces client behavior by simple conversations. She also instructs formally about medications and the action plan for recovery. As a clinical decision maker, a nurse coordinates the activities of other members of the Health Care team like physiotherapists or nutrionists. The nurse takes these decisions alone or in collaboration with the patient or patient family on care aspects, evaluation of care results and the best approach for the desired result (Patricia A Potter, 2005). Thus, there is a need for introduction of a research-based curriculum in DNP programs to cater to the neo needs of a professional nurse. Nurses who take their nursing education to the PhD level are nurse Scientists. Roper Logan and Tierney model of nursing (1980) recognizes 12 activities in patient care. This includes, maintaining a safe environment, communication, breathing, eating/drinking, elimination, washing/dressing, thermoregulation, mobility, work/play,