Exploring compassion: implications for contemporary nursing. Part 1.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Medical Ethics
• History of Medicine

Background:

• The historical roots of compassion in nursing are traced to religious ideologies, particularly Christianity in 19th century Great Britain.
• Florence Nightingale, a Christian, embodied compassionate nursing ideals, influencing the profession's early characterization as 'ministering angels'.
• The advancement of evidence-based practice in nursing has led to a perceived shift away from compassionate care towards technical proficiency.

Observation:

• Evidence suggests a decreased affinity among nurses for the ethos of altruism.
• Recent reports indicate negative patient experiences stemming from a lack of compassionate nursing care.
• There is a resurgence of emphasis on compassion as a core nursing value.

Findings:

• The historical religious underpinnings of compassion in nursing have been overshadowed by technical skill development.
• A gap exists between the ideal of compassionate care and current patient experiences.
• Nurses' decreased affinity with altruism may contribute to the erosion of compassionate care.

Implications:

• Restoring the image of the compassionate nurse requires a deliberate effort to re-integrate core values with clinical skills.
• Nursing practice must address the challenges in equipping professionals with the necessary skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes for compassionate care.
• The profession needs to reaffirm its commitment to responding to patients with humanity, kindness, and high-quality compassionate care.