The Importance of Holistic Care in Nursing

During my service this month, I made a positive impact by prioritizing building strong therapeutic relationships with my patients. One  experience that stood out to me was advocating for a nonverbal patient by carefully observing their body language. This not only ensured their comfort but also reinforced the importance of holistic care in nursing. I consistently looked for opportunities to help my nurses and techs, whether it was performing hands-on tasks like wound care or explaining procedures to patients and families in a way they could understand. During my clinical rotations, I struggled with building confidence in my clinical decision-making, especially when performing new or complex tasks under pressure. This hesitation slowed me down and added excess stress. To overcome this, I’ve been enhancing my preparation and self-reflection by reviewing key procedures and seeking feedback from my peers and nurses I follow. While I still have room to grow, I’m starting to trust my training and instincts by understanding that confidence develops with experience and continuous learning.

-Tommy Copple