Dignity is a key value that underpins the nursing process. Dignity is used in all five steps of the nursing process; Assess, Diagnosis, Plan, Implementation and Evaluation. Haddock (1996) stated that 'dignity is the ability to feel important and valuable in relation to others, communicate this to others, and be treated as such by others, in contexts which are perceived as threatening. ' Overall, what dignity means as a nurse is about how we make our patients feel, does the patient feel helped, independent to the best of their ability and is the nurse confidential and private with both the person physically and with the information they give us. If we give the patient dignity and respect they will give us trust and confidence in return.
In nursing practice, there are general guidelines set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland which standardises dignity but it depends on the healthcare provider, who is being provided for in each different situation. The NMBI Code of professional Conduct and Ethics (2014) focuses on 5 key principles one of which is respect for the dignity of the
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The patient must feel secure in what they tell you about themselves and that you will not tell other. Patients like to know they are listened to, cared about and have a opinion in the matter. For example a campaign called #mynameis by Dr Kate Granger, a medical registrar in geriatric medicine and cancer patient demonstrates the importance of small things like introducing yourself and having a name tag. NMBI Code of professional Conduct and Ethics (2014) also has guidelines for nurses for confidentiality and states that 'Honesty, integrity and trustworthiness must underpin your dealings with patients and colleagues ' and 'You should tell patients (unless this could cause them serious harm) if you intend to share confidential information about them with others who are outside the immediate care team