One can hardly doubt the immense importance of the discussion of abusive relationships in contemporary society. It is apparent that people who survived such relationships are in need of qualified caregiving since such experiences impose various mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and trust issues (Albina, 2016). However, it is also of high interest to observe the practical implications for a nurse practitioner who also experienced abusive relationships in the past. The purpose of this paper is to investigate possible positive and negative consequences of such experiences for the nursing practice.
First of all, it is argued that nurses, who experienced abusive relationships in the past, have an advantage in working with victims of domestic violence because they can relate to the problems of their patients. Nurses can be more passionate about their work since they are aware of the emotional pain through which their patients have come. However, as it is pointed out by Albina (2016), the experiences of abuse tend to have the opposite effect on some nurses.
They are triggered by the disclosure of similar experiences by their patients, and thus they can express verbal abuse and emotional manipulation toward their patients as a form of defensive reaction (Albina, 2016). Therefore, the author proposes the following solution to improve patient outcomes and the hospital environment. She argues that there is a need for an overall clinical culture change by fostering better education and communication practices, acquiring competencies, eliminating tolerance for inappropriate behavior, and developing codes of respect (Albina, 2016).
In conclusion, it is possible to restate the importance of the problem. Many nurse practitioners encounter victims of domestic violence in their working environment. Therefore, it is essential to develop a more welcoming and caring hospital climate.
References
Albina, J. K. (2016). Patient abuse in the health care setting: The nurse as patient advocate. AORN Journal, 103(1), 73-81.