Issn Print: 0361-929X

Publication Date: 1998/05/01


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Long-standing Values in Nursing

Laura Mahlmeister

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Excerpt

I am responding to Dr. Sharts-Hopko's article on chaos, wholeness, and long-standing values in the January, 1998 issue of MCN: I have worked at San Francisco General Hospital as a staff nurse in the Birth Center for nearly 20 years-the hospital where the "prayer study" was conducted. I find that all of our nurses are strongly committed to holistic care that recognizes the limitations of Western scientific medicine. In our work with patients who experience severe physical, emotional, and spiritual crises during childbearing and birth, we use alternative therapies including therapeutic touch, culturally relevant healing methods, meditation, positive imagery, and prayer.
Each nurse brings a special perspective to his or her practice that humanizes an often very busy, sometimes chaotic, environment. We are energized by the positive outcomes of care that we observe, and usually end the day more energized than when we arrive for work. We have a very low turnover of staff in the Birth Center. Our nurses are a tight-knit group who care for each other as well as our patients and their families and I am privileged to work with them. I look forward to my time spent with the patients and staff each week however far ahead my other work commitments take me from San Francisco. I wish to thank Dr. Sharts-Hopko for sharing her views with us. I hope it helps other nurses think about the essence of nursing and how they can "re-invent" their practice.
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