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Sympathy Means CaringAuthor(s): Lorraine A. WilliamsReviewed work(s):Source: The American Journal of Nursing, Vol. 64, No. 4 (Apr., 1964), pp. 62+65-67Published by: Lippincott Williams & WilkinsStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3419048 .Accessed: 23/06/2012 01:41

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LETTERS

Continued from page 60

from her lack of familiarity with the nature of programmed instruction. For example, she complains that there is no index. This is deliberate since the book is intended for sequential study not for spot references. The comment about putting the program on a machine is ironic since it was originally on film and field tested using Auto-Tutor machines. Even so, the point is not relevant since the text for programmed material is the

same whether on film or in book form. Limitations in content? Miss Ellison

might take a look at the traditional classroom guides from which the unit was built. Actually, some instructors who used this program (as revealed in the doctoral study from which the book emerged) complained that more con- tent was included than they usually covered in class.

Misinformation? Then the instructors who pretested the material are misin- formed. The one example mentioned (about sterility) finds the reviewer

tripping over the grammatical rule that the comparative (safer) is used when comparing two conditions-contami- nated or not. In her opening paragraph Miss Ellison confuses teaching with learning. Second- ly, in referring to the "use of freed time" she chooses to comment on only one (and the least) of several values which are mentioned in the guide.

Granted, the "chatty style" will not appeal to all teachers, but some educa- tors believe that rapport established by personalizing instruction enhances learn- ing. At any rate, the students using the Seedor material felt that this method was effective, was a sort of psychologi- cal pat on the back. Perhaps the learn- ing of asepsis need not be a sterile ex- perience!

In short, Miss Ellison is either resist- ant to the idea of programmed instruc- tion per se or has not had time to study the developments in that field. Research has long since established the fact that students can learn by programmed in- struction. Miss Seedor's book, based on research, has already made a contribu- tion to the field of nursing. ALBERT L. OLIVER, Associate Professor,

Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania

MISO-THE PERIPATETIC CAT

Just a word of appreciation for "Miso" (January Journal). What a sur- prise to find a "topper" for all the fine and interesting professional material that is par for the Journal. I hope Miso pro- ceeds to a life of feline ease and pleas- ure. HELEN E. DANIELSON, R.N., CALIF.

I was very surprised to read this ar- ticle. You see, I was the recipient of the cat. Miso-whose name is now Tiger-is a happy, healthy house pet, about to journey across the country with me to Tucson, where I will be stationed with the Air Force Nurse Corps.

BETTE ANN BRAMA, R.N., N.J.

SYMPATHY MEANS CARING

It may come to the notice of posterity that our age ran wild in the quest of new ways to be new. Science put it in our heads that there must be new ways

Continued on page 65

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62 APRIL 1964 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NURSING

LETTERS

Continued from page 62

to be new. Those tried were largely by subtraction and elimination. Poetry for example was tried without punctuation; the practice of medicine without house- calls; the conquest of outer space with- out a cure for the common cold; and nursing was tried without sympathy! Three cheers for Joyce Travelbee's obvi- ously committed expression "What's Wrong with Sympathy?" (January Journal).

To be committed is to be a nurse, not to assume the "role" of a nurse, nor to have the "job" of a nurse. I agree with those who ascribe to the philosophy or concept that as human beings in a world with other human beings, the interaction, the feelings, the very es- sence of our being cannot, because of human limitations, be completely and

fully expressed to one another. But, as Miss Travelbee points out so succinctly, we cannot dehumanize a person by la-

beling him a "patient," nor ourselves by attaching another label "nurse," and

expect the natural flow of a warm in- ner feeling of sympathy. The natural flow diminishes when approaching ab- straction. Don't we further emphasize abstraction to some degree in such ever so over-rated expressions as total patient care, comprehensive nursing, case meth- od? Basically, these concepts are worthy if their ultimate goal is to provide good nursing care. But, in reality, has this

happened? Hasn't some vital element been negated? Has something happened to the natural flow of the nurse caring for the patient?

Today we see many a new young graduate (certainly not all) appearing on the scene, starched, alert, and much more knowledgeable than years gone by. But she also brings along a discon-

certing air of detachment and apathy

regarding the essence of nursing-hu- man brings! Yes, Miss Travelbee, sym- pathy means she cares. We must look

into our educational programs and add

where we subtracted to provide her

with that exhilarating moment of true

nursing. LORRAINE A. WILLIAMS, R.N., CONN.

Sincere thanks to the Journal for pub- lishing Joyce Travelbee's fine article,

"What's Wrong With Sympathy." (Jan- uary issue) For this article, which I be- lieve to be long overdue, I feel we owe a real debt of gratitude to the author. With penetrating insight, she differenti- ates clearly and forcefully between em-

pathy, sympathy and pity. Her point regarding the destructive elements sometimes encountered in "pity" is well taken.

Personally, I feel that there is nothing wrong with sympathy, except that it is too seldom found in our relationships with others. Why are we so afraid of

letting ourselves "feel?" Why, with so many of us in need of love and under- standing, do we so fear the involvement of our emotions? Aren't we nurses sup- posedly dedicated to helping others back to health? Do we really believe that we can achieve this goal by assum- ing an impersonal attitude and "inter- acting" with our patients?

Actually, does it really take any more time, in the accomplishment of our daily duties, to transmit feelings of concern and sympathy to our patients? By a

Continued on page 66

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I

LETTERS

Continued from page 64

word, a touch, a few minutes spent in

really "listening," we can show them that we care.

EILEEN E. LODER, R.N., D.C.

THE ART OF NURSING

Entry into the hospital for serious

surgery provided an opportunity to ob- serve at close hand a profession with which I had had almost no contacts. Some of my observations are given here in the hope that I might make some

slight return to the profession from which I have received so much.

The nurses on duty in the surgery ward of our local, medium-sized, town

hospital were all competent and ap- peared to be well trained. It occurred to me that in today's era of specialization the same thing must be happening to

nursing that is happening to other pro- fessions. Certainly if one stops to think about the increased specialization in

medicine, then one would realize that the nursing profession, too, must devote

its energies and talents to the mastery of fundamentals as well as a vast detail of techniques related to the specific field of specialization. This mastery of the techniques of the profession is no new requirement for proficiency and

should, as always, be held to a high standard. But it does lead to the de-

velopment of two phases of nursing: the techniques of nursing and the art of nursing. Then follows the old prob- lem (which may be peculiar to nursing) of how to maintain the necessarily rig- idly high standards of proficiency with- out neglecting the art of nursing.

The equipment and techniques avail- able to the present day nurse make it

possible to develop to the highest de-

gree the art of nursing. And let me add that this art is instantly recognized, re-

sponded to, and greatly appreciated by the patient.

To me, the art of nursing is the abil-

ity of the nurse to convey to the patient first of all her interest in his recovery, then her mastery of the techniques, and

finally her willingness to contribute all she has of both interest and proficiency toward his rapid recovery. Many may

Photo and Art Credits Cover-Fritz Gerds; p. 11-Armed Forces Institute of Pathology; pp. 16, 58, 151-Pach Bros., N.Y.; p. 32-Russel Sage College; p. 43-Iry Dolin; p. 72-American Cancer Society, Mike Hollander; pp. 75, 87-92-Art by Barney Plotkin; p. 77-American Cancer Society, Charlotte Memorial Hospital, Char- lette, N.C.; p. 80 American Cancer Society, Homer Page; pp. 94-95-Gunter's Studio; pp. 104-109- Art by Peter Ng; p. 123-Esther Bubley; p. 126- Art by Frank Lacano; pp. 130-131-Art by Richard Kluga; p. 145-Santa Fe Railway; p. 148-Wilson- Hitchingham; p. 150-American Red Cross, Boris.

protest that the nurse cannot become

emotionally involved with every pa- tient, but I say that if she does not have a high degree of interest in her pa- tient's recovery, then the profession of

nursing becomes a dead, mechanical, for-hire-sort-of-thing. I know my doctor has an intense interest in my recovery, and if he did not, I would look for an- other doctor. In this sense then, the pa- tient has the right to expect sympathy and interest from his nurse and per- haps, unfortunately, he does not have

any choice in her selection. I know that when the sense of one

Continued on page 67

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66 APRIL 1964 AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NURSING

LETTERS

Continued from page 66

team composed of the doctor and the nurse and the patient is brought to bear on the battle for the patient's rapid re-

covery, much more satisfactory results, sometimes even miracles, can be achieved. So I appeal to the nurses to whet their technical knowledge to the keenest edge, while at the same time

developing the art of nursing to the

very highest degree, to the end that their profession may continue to be the noblest of all professions.

ANONYMOUS, FLA.

PEACE IS THE KEYNOTE

May I say that the December issue of the Journal remains among my most favorite Christmas presents?

The editorial set the tone for a re- markable issue. Noting that science it- self will determine neither nursing's use- fulness nor its fate, it created an almost

living illustration -of the "heart of nurs-

ing." It included the world situation, the domestic situation, information, re-

search, emotions, lightness, art, and

philosophy-as they interact with our

nursing profession. KATE SCILIPOTI, R.N., N.Y.

The editorial is truly a delightful Christmas message. Thank you for call-

ing to our attention so appropriately that peace is the necessary ingredient for existence.

HULDA WEGENER, R.N., Executive Director, Kansas State Nurses Assoc.

MORE, PLEASE

I happened to pick up a friend's copy of the December issue of the Journal and read "Winds in the Ward" by John M. McReavy. I enjoyed it very much and do hope you are able to publish ad- ditional works by Mr. McReavy. Thank

you for a delightful interlude.

JEAN ANDERSON, CALIF.

A TEENAGER'S VIEWPOINT

Recently I was involved in a discus- sion with some nurse friends and the subject of the television program "The Nurses" came up. My 15-year-old niece, who had seemingly been immersed in her school books, jumped into the con-

versation. I asked her to write down her

comments, which follow: "When I think about nurses, I pic-

ture clean-cut young girls who have studied hard in order to help people in need. I have always had a lot of respect for nurses and the nursing profession, but recently my respect has been marred by seeing "The Nurses." I have seen only three shows of this series, yet one show would have been enough to

change my feelings. The first show I saw was about a nurse who had syphilis

and refused to have it reported. The second show told the story of a nurse who was an alcoholic, yet they allowed her to keep practicing her profession. The third show was about a nurse who had become pregnant illegitimately and wanted an abortion.

Every day there is a greater demand for nurses. If there is going to be a show about nurses, bake it one that will set

high ideals for high school girls who are the future nurses of America."

DORIS K. DEVINCENZO, R.N., N.Y.

The good life -just what the doctor ordered Sea and sun are both in his doctor's orders -so is that grapefruit he's eating with such gusto. Citrus fruit is a wonderful way for any patient to get his daily quota of vitamin C. . . to enjoy something good to eat, tasty and satisfying but not rich.

Any patient anywhere can get the benefits of the natural vitamin C in Florida oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines . . . thanks to modern methods of processing fresh fruit. Whether it is frozen, canned, or put up in cartons, 98% of the vitamin C content of the fruit is preserved.

Grapefruit and other citrus fruits filled with vitamin C are valuable in the nutri- tion of every age group. Among teen-agers, vitamin C is one of the two nutrients most often low in the diet. Infants, too, need generous amounts of vitamin C.

When your patient chooses Florida citrus, he can be sure of getting fruit filled with natural goodness. Florida citrus is unexcelled because a State commission watches over the entire Florida citrus crop to see that it meets the world's highest standards for fresh, frozen, canned, or cartoned citrus fruits or juices.

0 Florida Citrus Commission, Lakeland, Florida

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NURSING APRIL 1964 67