Reply When Referring To The Recipients Of Nursing Care I Agr

Reply1when Referring To The Recipients Of Nursing Care I Agree With T

REFLY1 When referring to the recipients of nursing care, I agree with this change, because I consider as a patient the person who suffers pain or discomfort and receives the services of a health professional, and undergoes an examination, treatment or to an intervention. As a nurse I refuse to use the term Client, because it may refer to Mercantilism, I also understand that if we are patients we trust the competence and know-how of the health professional, among the reasons for not treating a patient as a client I consider the following: the patient does not want to be there in the hospital, consultation, health center, emergency room, the patient is usually not prepared at any time, and does not usually have the precise knowledge to make decisions autonomously, and finally the patient is not alone . Many times the patient decides in a shared way with family, friends, caregivers, professionals who care for him, etc.

Paper For Above instruction

The terminology used in nursing to refer to individuals receiving care is not merely semantic; it reflects underlying philosophies about the nurse-patient relationship and the nature of healthcare. The debate over whether to call these individuals “patients” or “clients” has evolved over time, influenced by cultural, ethical, and economic considerations. Currently, many nurses and healthcare professionals prefer the term “patient,” emphasizing a relationship based on trust, care, and therapeutic intervention, as opposed to “client,” which may imply a transactional or commercial relationship.

From a clinical perspective, referring to individuals as “patients” underscores their vulnerability and the dependency that often accompanies healthcare, particularly in acute or chronic conditions where individuals may lack the knowledge or capacity to make fully autonomous decisions. This term also fosters an ethic of caring that prioritizes the person's well-being and recognizes the therapeutic alliance between nurse and patient. As noted by Wakefield (2013), the terminology that centers on “patient” supports a care model rooted in compassion, trust, and professional responsibility. Conversely, the term “client” originated from a more business-oriented model that emphasizes service provision within a marketplace framework, which some argue could risk diminishing the relational and ethical foundations of nursing care (Nash & Smith, 2017).

However, the choice of language can also reflect broader societal shifts and institutional policies. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has, in recent editions of their Code of Ethics, reaffirmed the use of “patient” as the preferred term, aligning with the principles of beneficence and respect for persons (ANA, 2015). This linguistic preference aims to reinforce the caregiver's role as a protector and advocate, rather than a service provider, highlighting the moral and professional obligations intrinsic to nursing practice.

Despite these trends, there remains a degree of flexibility and personalization in terminology use. Some nurses may opt for “client” to emphasize a more collaborative or autonomous approach, particularly in settings such as mental health or community care, where shared decision-making is prioritized (Thompson & Thompson, 2016). Nonetheless, understanding the conceptual implications of each term enriches our appreciation of nursing responsibility and the ethical considerations involved in honoring the dignity of those under our care.

In sum, the choice between “patient” and “client” is not merely linguistic but reflects differing approaches to care and professional identity. The shift towards “patient” aligns with a humanistic perspective, emphasizing compassion, trust, and ethical responsibility, which are core to nursing’s mission and values (International Council of Nurses [ICN], 2012). As nurses continue to evolve within complex health systems, being mindful of the language used to describe those we serve remains essential in promoting respectful, effective, and ethically grounded care.

References

• American Nurses Association (ANA). (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA Publications.
• International Council of Nurses (ICN). (2012). The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses. ICN.
• Nash, S., & Smith, R. (2017). Ethical Dimensions of Language in Nursing Practice. Journal of Nursing Ethics, 24(3), 275-283.
• Thompson, L., & Thompson, H. (2016). Shared Decision Making in Mental Health Nursing: An Ethical Perspective. Nursing Ethics, 23(4), 432-441.
• Wakefield, M. (2013). The Role of Terminology in Nursing Practice. Nursing Standard, 27(40), 44-50.