Name
Chamberlain University
NR-581: Foundational Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Person-centered care is an approach that prioritizes the unique needs, preferences, and values of each individual in the healthcare process. To me, it represents a philosophy of care that goes beyond treating physical symptoms. It is about acknowledging the patient’s individuality, respecting their autonomy, and involving them in every stage of their healthcare journey. This approach requires empathy, dignity, and mutual respect, ensuring that care plans align with what matters most to the patient.
Unlike traditional models that focus primarily on the illness, person-centered care incorporates the patient’s emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. It allows the patient to be an active participant rather than a passive recipient of care, which fosters stronger trust and improves overall outcomes.
As a future Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), my goal is to provide comprehensive care that supports all aspects of a patient’s health. Holistic nursing emphasizes treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than focusing solely on disease management. I will apply this by integrating complementary practices such as stress management techniques, lifestyle counseling, and promoting wellness-focused interventions alongside traditional medical care.
Cultural humility will guide my practice by reminding me that learning about patients’ cultural backgrounds is a lifelong process. I intend to engage in continuous self-awareness, recognizing my own biases and ensuring that I adapt care to align with diverse cultural values. For instance, I will ask open-ended questions to understand cultural beliefs around health and treatment, ensuring that care plans are respectful and inclusive.
Self-reflection will also play a crucial role in my practice. By regularly evaluating my decisions and interactions, I can identify areas for improvement and growth. This process will enable me to build stronger therapeutic relationships and ensure that I remain empathetic, patient-focused, and adaptable in my role as an APRN.
To demonstrate engagement with peers, responses should not only acknowledge their viewpoints but also introduce new perspectives, practical applications, or thought-provoking questions. The table below illustrates how engagement can be structured:
| Criteria | Response Approach |
|---|---|
| Respond to at least one peer | Acknowledge their insight, connect it to personal or clinical experiences, and expand with evidence-based support. |
| Respond to a second peer post | Express appreciation, highlight the significance of their point, and share practical implications or further examples. |
| Use professional communication | Maintain a respectful, supportive, and collegial tone consistent with advanced nursing practice. |
Dear [Peer’s Name], I truly appreciate the perspective you shared in your discussion. I agree that person-centered care requires us to prioritize the patient’s preferences, needs, and values. Your post reminded me of an experience during my rotation in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU). Unlike in the ICU, where patients are often intubated and unable to communicate, patients in the PCU expressed their preferences for medication administration timing. Initially, it felt unusual to delay scheduled tasks, but I realized that honoring these requests respected their autonomy. This reinforced the importance of fostering trust and building strong patient-provider relationships through respect for individuality.
Dear [Peer’s Name], thank you for sharing your story and highlighting the importance of language in patient care. I was particularly inspired by your initiative to incorporate multiple languages into patient education resources. Language barriers often create challenges that lead to miscommunication, frustration, or even delays in seeking healthcare. By providing materials in over 30 languages, you have significantly reduced barriers to care and empowered patients to actively participate in their health decisions. This achievement promotes health equity and strengthens the overall patient experience by ensuring that everyone receives high-quality care regardless of language proficiency.
American Nurses Association. (2021). Holistic nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). ANA.
Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L. (2011). The values and value of patient-centered care. Annals of Family Medicine, 9(2), 100–103. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1239
Tervalon, M., & Murray-García, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9(2), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2010.0233
