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During this course, I have experienced the benefits of performing a holistic assessment by treating "my patient." When addressing the patient on an emotional and spiritual level, a nurse is creating a trusting relationship. That relationship can inspire the patient to be forthcoming with their nurse and create a better environment for the patient to recover in. I'd say the challenge to completing a holistic assessment with any patient is time. For example, I work in the operating room so my only interaction with the patient is 10 minutes before they are sedated. I find it would be impossible to approach the patient and complete an entire holistic assessment, however, that doesn't mean I will not approach the patient holistically. While I do have to get specific information from my patient in a quick amount of time, I also make it a point to ask them one or two personal questions or even make a small joke (if I feel it is appropriate) and I've seen it helps the patient feel more comfortable with me, even with a short interaction. And it seems I may not even need more time with a patient as Mary Southard states in her article Spirituality:
The Missing Link for Holistic Health Care. Southard says, "a nurse's authentic presence when making such inquiries does not require more time but rather more self-awareness on the part of the nurse to be attentive to patient questions and present in the moment" (Southard, 2020, p. 7). It is more on the nurse's part to be self-aware and be present physically and mentally when they are with patients. Unfortunately a lot of nursing classes don't offer the chance to learn about spirituality and this "lack of adequate preparation in spiritual care results in missed opportunities for nurses in their ability to fully attend to the needs of their patients" (Southard, 2020, p.1). We as nursing students can bring this up in meetings with college faculty and nursing meetings with evidence on how teaching spirituality can enhance a nurse's ability to help their patients.
Most recently, I was getting a patient from the prep & holding area to bring to the operating room and I noticed how stressed she was. Many patients are fearful to get surgery, but this patient was actively tearing up while we brought her back. Many times, this stress can alter a patient's blood pressure or respiration rate and we don't get accurate vital signs. So on the way back to the room while I was assessing her skin, I began comforting her by using therapeutic communication and maintaining eye contact when I could. The patient was able to calm down enough for accurate vital signs before we headed back and she was visibly less nervous then she was before. It is important to treat your patients like you would a family member, because that is someone's family member. A trusting relationship with a patient is one of the best things a nurse could achieve.