Coat of Arms
The coat of arms is a grouping of symbols that represents the attributes of a family, occupation, etc. In nursing, the coat of arms signifies the fundamental characteristics that define the nursing profession. The objective of this paper is to elucidate the six nursing qualities selected to symbolize ‘Nursing’ and offer reasoning for the symbols representing each quality on the coat of arms. Furthermore, this article will explore the positioning of each symbol on the coat of arms. Communication is an enduring skill for nurses and can manifest in different ways.
Communication, whether verbal or non-verbal, holds immense significance in nursing. It plays a vital role in establishing a strong nurse-client relationship and bridging the gap between clients and nurses. As per Kameg et al. (2009), effective communication skills have proven to enhance health outcomes, patient compliance, and overall satisfaction. Adept communication empowers nurses to gather crucial information from clients, conduct better assessments, and attain optimal results. Moreover, communication skills within the nursing field foster trust and cultivate a comfortable working environment with clients. In the coat of arms, the chosen emblem for communication is represented by the stethoscope.
Communication can manifest itself in various ways, both verbal and non-verbal. When it comes to accurately measuring a client’s vital signs such as blood pressure, nurses must listen attentively through the stethoscope. Likewise, during interactions with clients, nurses must carefully listen to obtain precise information. A quiet environment is crucial for nurses to perceive and interpret sounds via the stethoscope. Moreover, a tranquil setting facilitates effective communication between nurses and clients, enabling mutual understanding.
The significance of equality in nursing is emphasized; nursing always involves relationships among multiple individuals and should be approached with equality in mind (Kangasniemi, 2010). Nurses regularly interact with physicians, clients, and colleagues. By promoting equality within the work environment, conflicts among nurses, physicians, and clients can be minimized. Equality also nurtures positive professional relationships between nurses and their clients as well as colleagues.
In my perspective, it is imperative for nurses to possess a solid comprehension of equality for providing equitable care to all patients. With this knowledge at hand, no patient should endure suffering based on factors such as age,
sex,
ethnicity,
or gender.
The chosen symbol for equality in the coat of arms is a justice scale, which represents equality due to its equal scales on both sides. It is positioned at the center of the heart, as it is a central quality of nursing. The scale is shown within the heart because equality directly affects human emotions. If unequal care is given to two clients, the one receiving less care will feel discomfort and discrimination. To maintain equality, balance on both sides of the scale should remain equal. A caring nurse demonstrates respect and appreciation for the client, aiding in their recovery and promoting health. Expressive caring behaviors establish trust, acceptance of feelings, faith, and genuineness (Khademian & Vizeshfar, 2008). Cultural competency is essential for nurses to provide holistic care. Symbols representing caring include the heart and hands, with the heart symbolizing its foundational nature. Without caring, the other qualities depicted in the coat of arms are ineffective.
The heart contains symbols held by hands, representing comprehensive care and emphasizing the importance of empathy in nursing. Empathy enables nurses to understand others, promoting their well-being. By providing empathy, nurses can better assess clients and strengthen the nurse-client relationship. Shoes at the coat of arms’ bottom symbolize empathy, as nurses must put themselves in their clients’ shoes to understand their feelings. The white color signifies purity. A nurse with empathy should place themselves in the client’s position and comprehend their experiences. Assertiveness is also crucial for nurses as it helps them recognize their strengths and limitations. Being assertive values oneself and the nursing profession, ultimately earning respect and recognition.Nurses should demonstrate respect for both themselves and others, ensuring that they do not infringe upon anyone’s rights. Their assertiveness should seek a mutually beneficial resolution, where all parties can have their needs met. An embodiment of assertiveness, a picketer man is depicted on the left side of the coat of arms.
Advocacy in the form of picketing is an essential aspect of effective assertiveness. Picketing employs assertiveness while maintaining a non-aggressive approach towards onlookers. It involves standing up for rights while still being respectful to others. The most crucial trait a nurse must possess is trustworthiness. This quality is delicate as it can easily rupture, leading to a breakdown in the nurse-patient relationship. Nurses should establish trust to gain complete cooperation from their clients. Similar to empathy, fostering trust brings clients closer to nurses, allowing for the collection of more accurate subjective and objective data and improved treatment. Building trust is both a quality and a skill. Symbolizing trust in the coat of arms are lock and chains. These chains attach to the sides of the heart and move towards the center, crossing over other symbols to reach a locked lock. Surrounding all other symbols, this signifies that a nurse must possess all nursing qualities to develop trust with patients, and once trust is established, it must be maintained. From my perspective, the most vital nursing quality is communication skills. I have always interpreted communication as providing information to someone in a manner that they fully comprehend.
I recently learned that listening is a crucial aspect of communication. By actively listening, a nurse can demonstrate empathy, build trust, and show care for their clients. Moreover, through effective listening, a nurse can gather important information, acquire knowledge about the patient, and truly understand their needs. Listening holds the same significance as speaking in communication. Within the context of nursing, various symbols on the coat of arms represent different qualities and skills that are vital for a nurse. Empathy, caring, and trustworthiness are qualities that nurses can utilize to establish closer connections with their clients and strengthen the nurse-client relationship. In order for nurses to listen attentively to their clients and provide appropriate answers to their inquiries, effective communication is essential. Furthermore, assertiveness can enable nurses to advocate for their clients, while maintaining equality can prevent any perception of differential treatment among clients. To ensure quality care for clients, a nurse must possess diverse qualities and skills.
