Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to Curtin’s article titled “What nurses owe one another”, published in Volume 10, Issue 3 of the March 2015 edition of American Nurse Today. Curtin noted although ethics are a forefront concern in today’s health world, little attention is paid to how professionals treat one another. Curtin describes how nursing professional ethics define the role and scope of practice and how the same ethics should also establish the duties and responsibilities nurses owe to the profession and to one another. Curtin stresses the importance of intra-professional relationships among nurses. As a beginning nurse, this article shared important and motivational thoughts. Curtin challenges and reminds us to take care of one another and the nursing profession. I have experienced firsthand how vital collaboration and communication is in the practice setting and would like to share my thoughts and provide evidence that collaborative relationships are essential to nursing. It is imperative that nurses actively engage in proper role modeling and interdependent relationships. Nurses must actively promote the nursing profession in a positive manner for the public’s safety and for overall satisfaction and commitment among nurses.
Communication is a vital part of our everyday work and collaboration is more complex than simply working in close proximity to one another. Nurses have the capability and power to come together, form bonds, and establish a degree of care towards one another and our profession. An American Nurses Association article entitled “Collaborative Relationships” published in the March 2012 volume 10, issue 4 explains the caring gap between professional nurses. The article notes how professional nurses can cultivate caring relationships with their patients, but to bolster the nursing profession and the quality of care patients receive, nurses must reciprocate the same kind of relationship with one another. This American Nurses Association publication confirms the importance of nurse-to-nurse collaborative relationships and reinforces the motivational thoughts of Curtin. When nurses share this common goal, our interpersonal relationships are strengthened. In turn, nurses are promoting the profession of nursing and competent care is delivered to the patient.
Curtin provides great insight; each nurse has a professional obligation to help one another and the profession to ensure competent care. Nurses must share information to improve patient care and recognize capabilities and limits. I am sharing my thoughts, because I am motivated by the words of Curtin. Curtin presents an ethical reflection nurses should put to practice and the American Nurses Association has provided the evidence that collaborative relationships are necessary between nurses to strengthen our bond and promote competent care. We are challenged and encouraged to be an active participate in this ethical role.
Thank you for your time to read my response,
Jenny Wiggins RN, RN-BSN-Student