HCA - LC Learning Activity Scenario 3

Working in small groups, students are to:
• review the following scenarios and determine to what degree the HCA is behaving in a professional manner
• students to discuss how self-care relates to professional practice.
3. James is a HCA on a surgical unit in an acute care hospital. He works steady afternoon (1500-2300) shifts. This works well for him, as his wife works day shifts, so he can take his children to school and they only need a couple of hours of after-school childcare per day. They are saving to buy a house and every penny counts!
This evening, one of the clients who had surgery today is very confused and agitated. The nurse assigns James to do 1:1 observation with the client. James keeps the client safe and reports his observations to the nurse. At the end of the shift, the nurse asks James if he can “do a double” (work until 0700) as the night HCA who was booked for 1:1 phoned in sick. James really needs the money, so decides to accept the shift, even though he only slept a few hours the night before and this is the third double shift he has done this month. James leaves the hospital at 0710 to drive home—a 35 minute drive. He really has trouble keeping his eyes open on the way home.

What is a professional manner?
Based on reference.com; Professional Manner is acting in a way that respects others and meets a high standard of behavior, according to Mountain State Centers for Independent Living.

So in our scenario 3, James is a working hard person and he will try his best for his family. He keeps his client safe and report everything to the nurse about his observations.

What is self-care?
Based on psychcentral.com; Self- care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Good self- care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It's also key to good relationship with oneself and others.

He needs to be productive and take care of himself so in order to achieve that he needs to have enough sleep.
If he doesn't show some self-care he can put his life at any risk same as his client without self care our body doesn't function as if has to.

Good points!

We basically have the same response to our scenario. SELF CARE IS IMPORTANT!! Especially when providing care to others, how can we provide care if we do not care for ourselves?