Student’s name: Yaimi Quintana Marrero
Course: MSN 5270 Advanced Theoretical Perspectives for Nursing
Instructor’s name: Leanne Trigoura DPN-C, FNP-BC, ARNP, MSN
Date: January. 25, 2023
Nurse theorist Hildegard Peplau defines the surrogate role as an essential but often overlooked element of nursing today. This role, according to Peplau, is “the temporary, interactive, psychosocial relationship between the nurse and the patient that was designed to help the patient gain insight, understanding and control of his or her feelings, attitudes and behavior.” The purpose of the surrogate role is to serve as a bridge between the patient and the nursing care team, allowing the nurse to bridge gaps in patient education and provide psychological support to patients when needed.
While this role is not frequently mentioned in nursing practice literature today, I believe it is still relevant in today’s nursing practice. Nurses today still serve as wells of knowledge and support for their patients. In some cases, nurses are even more vital than before, given the formidable complexity of today’s medical supply chain and its effects on patient care. As surrogates, nurses can provide necessary educational resources, help patients understand their diagnosis, and offer emotional support.
In addition to this traditional role, I believe the surrogate role can also be expanded to include more contemporary functions. For example, nurses can now play the role of the patient’s advocate, helping them obtain necessary medical services, navigating through complex insurance systems, and supporting them in decisions regarding care. Nurses can even help patients access services beyond traditional healthcare, such as helping them find alternative medicine options or connecting them with community resources.
Ultimately, I believe that the surrogate role is still relevant to nursing practice, although it may take different forms than in the past. Nurses are well-equipped to serve as invaluable lifelines for their patients, helping them traverse the increasingly complex medical system and providing emotional support. With this understanding of their potential as surrogate guides, nurses can equip themselves with the knowledge and competencies necessary to serve their patients best and adjust to the ever-changing modern healthcare landscape.
In conclusion, while the surrogate role defined by Peplau may not be frequently discussed in recent nursing literature, it is still an essential aspect of nursing practice. Nurses should endeavor to provide emotional and psychological support for patients and advocate for their needs. However, it is also essential to acknowledge that the nurse’s role has evolved, and the focus of nursing practice has shifted with the advancement of technology and evidence-based practice. Therefore, nurses need to continue to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of their patients and the healthcare system.
References
Daneau, S., Bourbonnais, A., & Legault, A. (2020). Surrogates’ end‐of‐life decision‐making process in nursing homes for residents with a neurocognitive disorder: An integrative review. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 15(1), e12274.
Moss, K. O., Douglas, S. L., Baum, E., & Daly, B. (2019). Family surrogate decision-making in chronic critical illness: A qualitative analysis. Critical care nurse, 39(3), e18-e26.
Vogelsang, L. (2022). Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations: Application to Asynchronous Nursing Education. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 17(3-4).
Wasaya, F., Shah, Q., Shaheen, A., & Carroll, K. (2021). Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations: A case study. Nursing Science Quarterly, 34(4), 368-371.
Student’s name: Yaimi Quintana Marrero
Course: MSN 5270 Advanced Theoretical Perspectives for Nursing
Instructor’s name: Leanne Trigoura DPN-C, FNP-BC, ARNP, MSN
Date: January. 25, 2023
Nurse theorist Hildegard Peplau defines the surrogate role as an essential but often overlooked element of nursing today. This role, according to Peplau, is “the temporary, interactive, psychosocial relationship between the nurse and the patient that was designed to help the patient gain insight, understanding and control of his or her feelings, attitudes and behavior.” The purpose of the surrogate role is to serve as a bridge between the patient and the nursing care team, allowing the nurse to bridge gaps in patient education and provide psychological support to patients when needed.
While this role is not frequently mentioned in nursing practice literature today, I believe it is still relevant in today’s nursing practice. Nurses today still serve as wells of knowledge and support for their patients. In some cases, nurses are even more vital than before, given the formidable complexity of today’s medical supply chain and its effects on patient care. As surrogates, nurses can provide necessary educational resources, help patients understand their diagnosis, and offer emotional support.
In addition to this traditional role, I believe the surrogate role can also be expanded to include more contemporary functions. For example, nurses can now play the role of the patient’s advocate, helping them obtain necessary medical services, navigating through complex insurance systems, and supporting them in decisions regarding care. Nurses can even help patients access services beyond traditional healthcare, such as helping them find alternative medicine options or connecting them with community resources.
Ultimately, I believe that the surrogate role is still relevant to nursing practice, although it may take different forms than in the past. Nurses are well-equipped to serve as invaluable lifelines for their patients, helping them traverse the increasingly complex medical system and providing emotional support. With this understanding of their potential as surrogate guides, nurses can equip themselves with the knowledge and competencies necessary to serve their patients best and adjust to the ever-changing modern healthcare landscape.
In conclusion, while the surrogate role defined by Peplau may not be frequently discussed in recent nursing literature, it is still an essential aspect of nursing practice. Nurses should endeavor to provide emotional and psychological support for patients and advocate for their needs. However, it is also essential to acknowledge that the nurse’s role has evolved, and the focus of nursing practice has shifted with the advancement of technology and evidence-based practice. Therefore, nurses need to continue to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of their patients and the healthcare system.
References
Daneau, S., Bourbonnais, A., & Legault, A. (2020). Surrogates’ end‐of‐life decision‐making process in nursing homes for residents with a neurocognitive disorder: An integrative review. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 15(1), e12274.
Moss, K. O., Douglas, S. L., Baum, E., & Daly, B. (2019). Family surrogate decision-making in chronic critical illness: A qualitative analysis. Critical care nurse, 39(3), e18-e26.
Vogelsang, L. (2022). Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relations: Application to Asynchronous Nursing Education. Canadian Journal of Nursing Informatics, 17(3-4).
Wasaya, F., Shah, Q., Shaheen, A., & Carroll, K. (2021). Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations: A case study. Nursing Science Quarterly, 34(4), 368-371.
