Describe caring attributes of the culture where you currently practice.

Caring attributes of the culture in which I currently practice are plentiful and diverse. As a current practicing nurse in an acute care facility in Canada, there is a focus on patient-centred care that is grounded in respect for individuals and their families (Dupre, 2019). In addition to respecting individuals’ rights as patients, this caring attitude extends to how staff treats each other. From leadership down throughout all levels of employees, there is emphasis placed on exhibiting professionalism and showing respect for colleagues. This encourages open communication within the healthcare team and between departments (Duong et al., 2020).

In my experience, one attribute that stands out significantly amongst healthcare professionals is empathy. Compassionate understanding of another person’s feelings or difficulties has been shown to be essential to delivering quality healthcare (Bryant et al., 2018). Empathy influences how nurses communicate with patients; it allows us to form meaningful relationships with those we care for which can lead to improved outcomes (Rudman & Eriksson-Backa, 2016). It also shapes our interactions with colleagues by creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected regardless of their role or seniority level.