Haushiku Kemba
The 12th of May is globally recognised as International Nurses’ Day, earmarked to celebrate nurses, and to set a tone for the continuation of their noble work.
Historically, nursing was considered a calling, but it has evolved into an independent profession.
Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was born on 12 May.
Although her work ethics are still being observed by the 21st century nurses, they are faced with various challenges such as the effect of globalisation, personal and professional value conflicts, influence of internet and social media, as well as human rights challenges.
Navigating through these challenges requires nurses who respect the professional values, understands societal expectations, are self-disciplined, and take deliberate moral education.
Today’s nurses must strive to maintain nursing characters and acceptable social behaviours.
Rights and right
For clarity, I shall refer to human rights as ‘rights’, which is defined as the justified claim to which all humans are entitled.
As declared in the Universal Declaration of Humans Rights, 1948, these rights include the following: freedom of expression and movement; equality to social life, association and leisure, as well as cultural belonging.
The world is occupied with the promotion of rights, and nurses are entitled to enjoy them.
Lately, these rights are being enjoyed inconsiderately by nurses.
Rights have limits, and rights are not always right.
The 21st century nurses must understand that while it is within their rights to use social media, for example, it is not right (correct) to use it inconsiderably.
You have the rights to eat or smoke, but is it right to eat or smoke anytime you want?
You have the rights to dress whatever you feel comfortable with, but it is not right to dress anyhow.
You have the right to create social media content (Reels, TikTok), but it is not right to create it anywhere you want.
The word right is synonym to justice, which is one of the fundamental ethical principles in nursing practice.
To fulfil that principle, one has to do what is right.
The Bible equally associates right and justice.
For example, Psalm 89:14 states: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne, love and faithfulness goes before you”.
Also, Proverb 16:8: “Better is little with righteousness than much gain with injustice”.
Therefore, a nurse with a good character does not just pursue her rights, but she pursues what is right.
Justice is not served if one fails to do the right thing.
Complimenting right and humanity
All humans are born with a good conscious – a moral monitor which tells them what is right and wrong.
This compass is meant to help us navigate this world, so that we live in harmony with one another.
Humanity will be measured by how much we have followed that moral compass.
Building the nursing profession or expansion of humanity is on the basis of individuals doing the right thing all the time.
The aim of providing nursing services is to promote health, prevent illness, alleviate suffering and to restore health, which all lead to the extension of human possibilities.
The nursing profession is a daily service to humanity, and a foundation upon which our health systems are build.
This foundation must be fed with the right materials, and by the right builders and suppliers.
A foundation cannot be compromised.
Continuing the right profession
Nurses need to develop a culture of doing the right thing, acquiring/maintaining the right attitude, observing the rights of their patients, and valuing the nursing principles and morals more than the privilege associated with the profession.
The rewards of being right is enormous, and it goes far beyond the profession. The blessings that one receives are proportional to what he or she gives.
When we do the right thing, we enjoy a certain level of security and protection that others do not enjoy.
“Seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, then all these things shall be added to you.”
Righteousness is the key to long-lasting career success. As you continue this noble profession, you should appreciate those who have done it before, for they have set an example that you too can do it; adjust your attitude and behaviour to remain in line with societal expectations, and continue to considerably promote and safeguard your patients’ rights and your rights.
If you seem to struggle on how to do the right thing, and if your moral compass appears to be lost, the first approach is to consult the golden rule.
“Do to others as you would like it to be done to you”, or as professor David Namwandi puts it, “Give to the world what you want the world to give to you”.
In recognition, I say happy belated International Nurses’ Day.
*Haushiku Kemba is a lecturer at the School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Namibia, Rundu Campus. He writes in his personal capacity. He can be reached at khkemba@gmail.com