By Nursing is more than just giving medicines or dressing up the patients. It’s all about the patient’s care including physical, mental, and emotional health.
That’s where psychology comes in.
It’s an essential part of nursing that teaches nurses how to deal with other’s emotions. Furthermore, it helps them understand what and how others think.
As a nurse, learning psychology is vital to provide better patient care. Hence, the reason for its importance in nursing shouldn’t be overstated.
Here, we will delve deeper into this concept and explore why psychology and nursing go hand in hand.
So, whether you are already a nurse or studying to become one, read our blog! You are going to find it pretty informative.
Let’s go!
What is Psychology?
Psychology is often considered a field that deals with mentally challenged people.
Oh! How wrong you are! It’s more than that.
If you ask what it means, we would say it’s the study of the mind, subconscious behaviour, emotions, and intellectual thinking.
Studying this helps us understand our and others’ way of thinking. Furthermore, it teaches us how to deal with stress, anxiety, and other mental problems. It’s all about assessing our needs. Also, it’s vital in our daily routine.
Psychology in Nursing: Why It Matters
Being a nurse is more than just looking after a patient’s needs. Instead, in nursing, you must understand one’s emotional and mental state. Furthermore, you should develop better connections for effective patient care.
Hence, it’s the reason psychology in nursing is vital. Apart from this, there are other reasons too. Come on! Let’s explore what they are:
1. Understanding Patient’s Needs
Nurses often have to deal with patients going through trauma, depression, anxiety, and anger issues. Imagine you are assigned a person with these issues. However, since you didn’t study psychology will you be able to understand their needs?
Nope! Hence, why it’s considered a pillar of nursing. It allows you to understand one’s behaviour and reactions. Furthermore, by knowing what they need, you can provide better patient care.
It is an incredible skill for nurses to communicate with patients, knowing what bothers them and making them less anxious. For example, a nurse may use their good listening skills and empathy. It allows patients to share what’s making them feel low. Moreover, it can help them develop patient care plans to meet their needs.
2. Making People Feel Good Inside and Out
While physical health is vital, so is mental health. When someone is undergoing medical procedures, they tend to become more depressed, sad, and anxious. Moreover, the dark mood can creep in. It not only affects them. But there are also people around.
That’s where psychology comes in!
Those nurses who have studies know how to make a patient feel better, be it through their words or actions. Moreover, they can make patients believe they are stronger and can overcome challenges.
3. Effective Communication
Effective communication is the backbone of nursing. Well, understanding psychology can help
with this.
Picture this: You have some bad news you need to tell the patient and their family. However, you can’t find the right words for this.
Well, those who previously studied psychology know how to handle this situation. Certain principles teach nurses to talk with patients, families, and doctors. Moreover, with their active listening, empathy, etc they can build trust and rapport.
Remember psychology is something that a nurse will always have to deal with, whether it is family matters or talking to a patient about their end-of-life.
4. Teaching Patients
One of the roles of nurses is to teach patients how to take proper medication, what routine to follow, etc. Well, psychology helps with it especially if you have a stubborn person in front of you.
With this, you learn how to teach patients effectively that they listen to you and follow the proper guidelines. It ultimately contributes to patient care. Furthermore, they learn how to tailor their knowledge and provide counselling sessions.
5. Manage Stress and Burn Out
While nurses do need to take care of patients, their own mental and physical health is pretty important.
And let’s face it! Nursing is not an easy field. From doing 15-hour shifts to critical cases, nursing experts and students, all go through different stages of stress. Well, studying psychology teaches them how to manage their anxiety better. Furthermore, they learn how to overcome physical burnout and stay efficient.
A pro tip: For practising students, if you think it’s getting tough, you should consider seeking Nursing Essay Writers. They will help you with your studies while you can focus on your patients.
6. Assessment and Diagnosis
Psychology and nursing go hand in hand. Moreover, it can impact the patient’s physical health.
Imagine: Your patient is getting better physically day by day. However, mentally, not so much.
If you understand psychology, you can catch on to this more quickly than anyone else.
Furthermore, one can check for mental disorders and assess the patients. Also, it makes it easier to collaborate with other professionals and provide better patient care.
7. Enhancing Nursing Interventions
Psychology has become a tool in poof-based nursing courses. Experts design it to improve health, prevent diseases, and manage illness. Nurses can tailor means by finding the mental, emotional, and behavioural characteristics of health-linked behaviours. These means appeal to patients’ desires and how they see themselves.
8. Speaking On Behalf of their Patients
There is no harm in saying that nurses are advocates for patients.
Wondering how? Well, they know them better and are aware of their physical and psychological needs. Hence, by understanding psych, they learn how to fight for their patient’s needs. Furthermore, they learn about ethical practices, contributing to better care. Also, it helps them make the best decisions while respecting the patient’s boundaries.
Wrapping Up!
So, that’s a wrap! Psychology is a part of nursing. Think of it as a cornerstone that helps build trust and provide patient care. By understanding one’s needs, emotional state, and wants, a nurse can offer better outcomes. Furthermore, it’s important for themselves as well. This ensures they can manage their stress and prevent burnout while effectively teaching patients about burnout. Remember nursing is not about treating symptoms. Instead, it’s assisting them with everything.
