Job N. Shalongo-Shange
Apart from the charge to render quality nursing care to the sick, the nurse has the mandatory to protect the integrity of the profession. Being a person of integrity is an essential element of nursing.
Nurses hold fast to licensure standards, practice guidelines, accreditation standards, and ethical codes. Nurses are also required to advocate for patients, respect confidentiality, be cost-effective, and have an intrinsic sense of right and wrong.
The code of ethics for nurses
with interpretive statements guides nurses in their obligation to
self and others with the responsibility to preserve wholeness of character and integrity. Integrity is not only a professional obligation; it is a personal value of a nurse.
As captured in our oath, “we pledge that our personal lives shall at all times bring conscience and dignity to our profession.” In light of these words, it is essential that a nurse is not seen engaging in acts that put his/her profession into question.
A nurse symbolises a noble calling grounded by traditional norms and values that should be respected at all times. Being a nurse comes with a lot of responsibilities, dedication, commitment, and passion for the calling. So, heavy is the head that carries that crown.
Recently, I discussed being a nurse of integrity with a group of newly graduated nurses in Windhoek. We agreed on the most difficult challenge in our day-to-day nursing roles: being authentically honest in all aspects of nursing care, seen and unseen; collaborating with difficult coworkers with professional communication and respect; interacting with frustrated patients, and families with empathy and expertise; and other daily activities.
Balancing the demands of our profession with a positive outlook of how the healthcare delivery system of Namibia should be in the future and exercising ethical principles in the daily grid.
Whether it is the day-to-day tasks or the stress of an ethical dilemma, we agreed, that the important step on our nursing journey is a vibrant, authentic, being particular with time, loving our uniform, and celebrating inclusivity because in our diversity we are strong.
Maintaining the principles of integrity in nursing means standing up for what you believe is “right” and “freely” admitting and acknowledging your mistakes. These principles validate the model of good works, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned.
If integrity becomes a list of dos and don’ts, we will crash and burn spiritually and emotionally. Instead, recognise there will be times when we fall short of being the nurse we desire to be. At these times, through the richness of integrity, we press forward knowing our journey is a time of learning and perfecting modern nursing.
* Job Ndeulita Shalongo-Shange is a seasoned professional Senior Registered Nurse, and qualified nurse educator and he holds a Master’s degree in nursing. He is passionate about nursing in Namibia.