Reflection on Nursing Practice: Case Study of Same-Sex Couple

This essay is a reflection on a clinical placement experience involving a nurse's interaction with a patient and his husband, focusing on the ethical implications of assumptions about same-sex couples. The student utilizes the Rolfe model of reflection (What? So what? Now what?) to analyze the situation, exploring the nurse's initial assumptions, the student's own beliefs, and the potential impact on the patient and his partner. The essay emphasizes the importance of respecting patient autonomy, cultural sensitivity, and ethical nursing practice, and suggests strategies for improved communication and professional development, including training on ethical practices and cultural sensitivity. The conclusion reinforces the need for nurses to provide equitable care regardless of patients' personal lives.

Running head: REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author’s Note:

1REFLECTION
Introduction
The aim of the essay is to reflect on the case study to evaluate the assumptions and belief
about the same sex couple and nurses working principle. The essay has made use of Rolfe model
which describes the reflection under what, so what and now what to evaluate the outcome (Rolfe,
Freshwater & Jasper, 2001)
What?
I am involved in clinical placement on a busy medical ward and came across a situation
of the patient name Alan who was admitted to the ward because of infected wound on his right
legs. The patient has met accident from motor vehicle and had spine injury. He always use
wheelchair for mobilisation. He was assisted by a person name Mark. The RN communicated
with him with respect asking about the condition, and prognosis of disease. When she assessed
the wound, she gave suggestion of taking antibiotic which will heal the wound faster. As the part
of her work, RN started a conversation with Mark and asked how long the infection has been in
the legs and wanted to know about his medical history. After evaluation RN came to know that
Mark was actually his husband. She was not aware of such fact so she assumed that he might be
his paid care giver. RN was guilty about her action, and thought it might had emotionally hurt
them. They would have felt embarrassed for RN assumption.
So what?
According to the situation, my response was positive as having a homosexual partner is
not a crime. I think, registered nurse should have not assumed anything by her own, as it is her
responsibility first introduce herself and ask the same from the patient and their care giver before
initiating any assessment. When it is concerned to registered nurse, the response was not similar.

2REFLECTION
She was shocked and never thought that Mark can be his husband and hence, she assumed Mark
to be a paid care giver. Although, she was mortified for her action, she should have maintained
dignity of the patient and care giver. According to my belief, I think that having same sex partner
is justified, as every human being have liberty to make their own choice. If same sex couple are
compatible enough with each other, there is no wrong of being together. I assume that, human
should have freedom to choose their life partner as they are responsible for life and know what is
good for their life. Homosexuality is also legalised in the country Sloane and Robillard (2018) so
they are liberal to handle the situation officially
The case study made me feel that every human being should be given respect irrespective
of their personal life. As it is the duty of the nurse to give effective care regardless of the caste,
race and sex, which comes under the ethical principle of nursing (Holland, 2017). It made me
feel that, nurse should have communicated by asking introduction from the care giver rather than
assuming by her own perspective.
The potential consequence of the experience can make the patient feel guilty and
embarrassed that they have done something wrong. They might feel shameful for disclosing
about their personal life.
The experience can help the nurse and me to develop professionally and accept and work
ethically in any condition. Personally, it will make us ready and experienced to accept
homosexuality as the normal condition. It will also help in academic development as it has given
insight to norms for healthy working condition.

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Now what?
Now, I am going give training to the registered nurse about the healthy working practice
and the way they should respond to the patient and care giver. I will also provide education about
the homosexuality to the RN to make them aware about it and way to handle it.
Personally, I will apply this in my practice by incorporating the learning in handling the
patient. I will always introduce myself and ask the same with the patient. I will treat the patient
with respect and dignity that do not violates their sentiments.
For future practice of the registered nurse, I will give her three suggestions. First, always
greet the patient and care giver in humble way and ask about them. Second, I will suggest her to
take training about ethical practice. Third, I will also suggest her to focus on her legal duty of
giving effective care rather than on personal life of the patient.
Conclusion
Lastly, it can be concluded that every nurse should be compatible in working with patient
irrespective of their personal life. They need to follow the nursing principle in their practice in
order to make the patient and care giver comfortable with the treatment plan.

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Reference
Holland, K. (2017). Culture, race and ethnicity: Exploring the concepts. In Cultural Awareness
in Nursing and Health Care(pp. 1-22). Routledge.
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D., & Jasper, M. (2001). Critical Reflection for Nursing and the Helping
Professions a User's Guide.
Sloane, J. L., & Robillard, L. M. (2018). Factors affecting heterosexual attitudes to same-sex
marriage in Australia. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 15(3), 290-301.