Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN)

Department

Nursing

Abstract

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2013), Americans frequently struggle with more than one, if not several, health care conditions impacting their quality of life. Literature review substantiates the need for emotional support for patients impacting hope and emotional wellness. Caregivers may suffer a physical impact from caregiving and also psychological impact from worry and fatigue (Pinquart and Sorenson, 2003). Caregiver strain is common but it often goes unrecognized, which can lead to poor health outcomes for caregivers (Honea et al, 2008). In addition, nurses are at high risk for compassion fatigue, comparing nurses to 'first responder" emergency rescuers who witness suffering (Boyle, 2011). The purpose of this project is to propose a Caring Companion Program in an inpatient medical setting at a large academic medical center in the Midwest. The program will focus on elements of caring, hope, and compassion in the midst of suffering and illness impacting patients, informal caregivers and nurses. A proposal developed for a Caring Companion Program will provide emotional and spiritual healing in inpatient care settings which will be supported by Watson's Theory of Human Caring and mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) interventions. A Caring Companion Program will enhance emotional and spiritual wellness in the inpatient healthcare setting for patients, informal caregivers, and nurses.

Identifier

SC 11.MAN.2013.Larson.LA

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