Running Head: CARING, HEALING AND A HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

My Vision of a Caring, Healing and Holistic Healthcare System

NUR 4114 Metaphysical Nursing
Mark Streeter
10/29/2014

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Running Head: CARING, HEALING AND A HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Mahatma Gandhi once wrote You must be the change you wish to see in the world. He
realized that for growth and change to occur in the world it must be us who change first. It is through
the cumulative transformation of people that actual progress can be realized. But, for us to make
change we must first introspectively identify the values that are truly important. As a small stone can
cause ripples across a pond so too should the stone within our soul ripple out across our existence. It is
in that spirit that I will be evaluating my vision of caring, healing and holistic care in the healthcare
system.
True caring is the natural offset of love. It is the realization that each individual has value and
their wellbeing is of the utmost priority. The internalization of caring as a healthcare worker leads us to
care for the weak, sick and poor. We are called to identify the inherent potential of each human being
and to protect that importance. It is in each moment of caring that our work can be carried out. It calls
on us, at times, to sacrifice ourselves for the wellbeing of others. However, the actualization of caring
must be carried out with best scientific knowledge possible. In healthcare our decisions must be guided
by the ultimate purpose of providing care, in all aspects, towards our patients. We must continually
educate ourselves so that our actions provide the best effect on the outcome of our patients.
Healing is a journey. The process can take many paths. We, as caregivers, must realize that
healing cannot be forced upon individuals. The healing process must first be accepted by the patient
themselves. Our role as healers is multifaceted depending on the location of the individual on their
journey of healing. And, if the patient is not ready our only recourse is to keep the door of healing open.
We must remain the welcoming shepherd on the path of healing ready to walk with them when they
take those first steps. However, and probably most importantly, we must realize that healing is not
only for the physically ill. Our acknowledgement of life as a process of healing guides us through our
entire spectrum of nursing care. Our presence during the beginning of life through the end of life for
both the healthy and sick is vital for the healing process and ourselves. In our healthcare practice we
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Running Head: CARING, HEALING AND A HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

must pay attention to the journey of healing and not shut off the path of healing. We cannot ignore the
emotional toll of illness and shape our care with that facet in mind. While we may not be able to heal
the body of our patient we must still keep the opportunity to heal the individual available.
Holistic care is the realization that humans are the composition of more than just the physical
aspect we see. It includes the body, mind and spirit. If one is neglected the others will also be weighed
down also. However, if we strive to strengthen all aspects we strengthen the whole. Traditional
healthcare looked as the body as the sole area of focus. But, as we move into the future we must not
remain so close-minded. We must acknowledge that the mind and spirit have the ability to strengthen
the body just as much as illness has the ability to weigh down the body. As nurses we need to
remember that our patient is more than an obligation, but rather an opportunity. The patient extends
beyond the time of the medications we administer. By developing beyond the factory-floor mentality of
admission, treat and discharge of patient care we can shape the healthcare industry towards a mentality
of holism in our care.
Real change in nursing and the healthcare industry must be done to improve patient care and
outcomes. While obvious medical and scientific technology must be utilized we must also acknowledge
the importance of non-traditional interventions. Providing additional opportunities for the utilization of
alternative medicine in the traditional healthcare environment. While we should obviously support
practices that have a proven track record we must not discourage alternative treatments which, at the
very least, do not harm the patient. These extra methods could address that mind and spirit that the
modern medical practices currently ignore. It would create a more encompassing healthcare industry
that will better fulfill its potential.
Caring, healing and holistic care are all intrinsic in an effective healthcare system. The
importance of one cannot be adequately appreciated without the consideration of the others. As future

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Running Head: CARING, HEALING AND A HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

healthcare workers we must carry this approach with us. Throughout our actions we have the potential
to mold healthcare into its next iteration. We can create the version of healthcare which evolves
beyond the strict purpose of treating illness into one that treats the individual. That will be our charge
and one that we cannot abandon.

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Running Head: CARING, HEALING AND A HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

References
Dossey, B. (2013). Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett
Learning.
Fontaine, K. (2011). Complementary and alternative therapies for nursing practice (Fourth ed.).
Hammond, Indiana: Pearson.

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