Professional Presence and Influence - C351
Richard A Kurtz
Western Governors University

A1. Models of Health and Healing The Era I health model is a “beginner” health model if you will, that uses a mechanical approach to health care, with a vision of you fix this, you cure that type of image. There appears to be no ties to mind/spiritual type healing that is noted in Era II, where self-awareness seems to show its’ face in regards to health and healing. The image that comes to mind is one of hard, cold facts; where reality is what you have, and the affliction of your health is nothing more than that. There will be no prayer or positive thinking that will help the body to become healthy again, and any thoughts of despair or feelings of depression were independent of the physical illness or injuries that are being experienced. Health care is still at its roots, with curing of common infections decades away, and thought of an organized health care system beyond the imagination. In this second era, the relationship of the person/human element becomes evident, and the emotional, meaningful and conscious model that has become so clear today is taking its’ baby steps into existence. The change of thought process as well as considerations of feelings and emotions of the person come into view as an important part of the healing path, and new emphasis is incorporated into the vision of health care. Systematic health care is well on its way, evidence based practice is in use on daily basis in many ways. Society is beginning the see the value of consciousness as an inclusion in the healing process and tying this with the basic treatment process which was available and widely used in the Era I treatment model. Symptoms and side effects of health care issues that were previously cast aside are now being viewed as part of the illness, and treatment these side effects are being factored into the treatment plan as a part of the holistic healing process is in its infancy.
A2. Models and Professional Presence In the Era II health model, it is noted that the human mind or consciousness is claimed to be local in nature and that thoughts, emotions, beliefs, meanings and attitudes exerted important effects on the effects of the person’s physical body (Dossey, 2013). Opinions for the Era where that the person’s conscious was confined to the body, and the then current time frame. In contrast, my beliefs are that spirituality has a tremendous role in the human health and healing. Belief and prayer impacts the recovery and healing experienced by the patient, and positive attitude contributes to this process which feed off one another. The prayer contributes to the healing, the positive healing contributes to the person’s desire to prayer for continued healing. The vast improvements in science lend hand to healing process as well, and of course, the level of understanding the human body and personal feelings are much more present the nursing that I am familiar with, compared to what is described in the previous Eras of nursing. While I cannot force patients into spiritual belief, I do lend reference to higher powers in relation to the healing process, and further support patients when they voice their beliefs in higher powers, and will gladly pray with my patient’s when requested.
A3. Influence on Nursing Practice A mindful nursing practice helps me to influence a positive healthcare experience for my patients on a daily basis, always striving for positive outcomes and enjoyable patient experiences. As a perioperative nurse, I strive to present a safe and anxiety free surgical outcome; to attempt to ease patient concerns and, under the circumstances, help patients to envision the benefits of completing their surgical process. I see the majority of the patients that come through our facility as the operating room coordinator, and attempt to talk to every patient prior to their procedure. Having been a surgical patient several times in the past, I am aware of the many things that can make the experience positive, as well as negative. With focus on those positive aspects, I attempt to incorporate these attributes in the treatment plan that every patient experiences, and that each member of our operating team uses as part of our approach to the surgical process. Patient safety and satisfaction are priorities in the surgical theater, and there are no shortcuts taken in the journey to these positive experiences. There are fortunately so many resources available to aide in the development of a successful surgical suite, and constantly referencing the available resources as well as clinical nurse specialist with combined decades of experience contribute to the success of the organization. This mindful approach leads to what I believe, is an outstanding record for mistake-free surgeries and positive patient outcomes. The constant consideration of AORN standards is used in our day to day operation, along with patient feedback and staff experience helps to foster the mindful practice. On the contrary, consideration of new ideas and methods of patient care are also a significant part of our practice, constantly looking for innovative methods for improving patient outcomes and experiences, as well as promotion of personal growth for staff members. Newer staff input for improvement are constantly requested, to prevent stagnant practice and reduce opportunities for burnout.
B1. Personality Assessment

Custom Keirsey Temperament Report for: Richard Kurtz | Your Keirsey Temperament Sorter Results indicates that your personality type is that of the
Guardians (SJ's) are the cornerstone of society, for they are the temperament given to serving and preserving our most important social institutions. Guardians have natural talent in managing goods and services--from supervision to maintenance and supply -- and they use all their skills to keep things running smoothly in their families, communities, schools, churches, hospitals, and businesses.Guardians can have a lot of fun with their friends, but they are quite serious about their duties and responsibilities. Guardians take pride in being dependable and trustworthy; if there's a job to be done, they can be counted on to put their shoulder to the wheel. Guardians also believe in law and order, and sometimes worry that respect for authority, even a fundamental sense of right and wrong, is being lost. Perhaps this is why Guardians honor customs and traditions so strongly -- they are familiar patterns that help bring stability to our modern, fast-paced world.Practical and down-to-earth, Guardians believe in following the rules and cooperating with others. They are not very comfortable winging it or blazing new trails; working steadily within the system is the Guardian way, for in the long run loyalty, discipline, and teamwork get the job done right. Guardians are meticulous about schedules and have a sharp eye for proper procedures. They are cautious about change, even though they know that change can be healthy for an institution. Better to go slowly, they say, and look before you leap.Guardians make up as much as 40 to 45 percent of the population, and a good thing, because they usually end up doing all the indispensable but thankless jobs everyone else takes for granted.In any environment, including your work place, you are usually focused on making people happy and facilitating harmonious relationships. You often lend "aid and comfort" by drawing on a combination of tradition, past experience, and the direction of established authority. In your ideal job, people would give of themselves and work toward the good of the group. |

B2. Test Result Analysis In reviewing the test results, they mirror what I see in myself as an individual. While following rules and policies are a must, maintaining a fun atmosphere in the workplace is highly important to me. In management of the staff I work with, I constantly ask co-workers how there day is going, and how improvements can make it better and more enjoyable. Maintaining a enjoyable work atmosphere is key to staff satisfaction, and is ultimately reflected in how patients view our organization and a reflection on patient outcomes. Maintaining patient flow through the operating room is of high importance, and following the developed schedule is key to this being successful. Occasional changes in the schedule due to cancellations or added surgeries can make smooth operations challenging, however, with everyone’s contribution, the changes are implemented without too much difficulty. This is also reflective of my personal life, where schedules are important and utilized regularly. Any deviations are a challenge to me though, and can certainly affect mood and personality. I attempt to remain practical and realistic, as these are very important ideals to me. My personal aspirations are a large part of who I am, constantly striving for improvement, while balancing the happiness of those around me. Those forcing unwanted change in my life are a significant distraction from my goals, and certainly affect the relationships in my life. Golf is one of my favorite hobbies, and the reliance on self-discipline and control are a huge part of that activity. The enjoyment I receive from it is one of therapy in a way, acting as a relief from daily stressors and a way of challenging myself in a way different from work. I enjoy involving my children in this as well, and sharing the enjoyment I receive from it. In regards to relationships, trust, respect and compassion are a large part of the people I consider to be my friends and loved ones. Those I consider friends have all of those qualities, and are generally have many of the same things in common. While rules and lawfulness are important to me, having fun is a must to me. My closest friends also have many of the same values regarding work habits, I am obsessive about many things, and deviation from my ways poses difficulty to me. I constantly strive for perfection, and results that are less than perfect are troubling to me. While my expectations have lessened as I get older, I continue to strive for perfection with everything I do. Nursing was not my initial career choice, I worked as a machinist for several years, and this profession fit well with my personality. Working with close tolerances and high expectations, this job was a perfect fit for challenging my interests and work ethic. As maintaining steady employment became a challenge, nursing was recommended to me by a coworker who was in nursing school. His personality was much like mine, and the profession of nursing met many of the things that I found interesting. Once I began classes and realized what the profession consisted of, I soon realized this job would be a great fit for me. After 10 years as a nurse, I feel the fit is even better than what I originally perceived.

Working with different personality types can me highly challenging for me, I am very firm on my goals and dislike interruption in schedule and priorities. While I feel I am open to improvement, those who attempt to persuade me from what I feel is the best or most practical way to proceed can disrupt my personality as well. I try to be considerate of others feelings and views, but disallignment from my own views can be very troubling to me, and can upset the balance I feel the need for. I am very routine driven, and changes to these routines can be extremely challenging in maintaining a smooth sense of feeling. Consideration of others’ opinions are important to me though, and a certain feeling of satisfaction is felt when being able to accomplish others ideas blended with my own. Harmony is significant to me, and while my views may not correlate with others, cooperating with other personality types is important to my feeling of being content. Logic is another stumbling block for me as well, and the lack of logic is highly troubling to me. If I am unable to see the logic in a task or idea, I have difficulty being accepting to the idea or task. This is one of my biggest peeves, and can in many instances, change my view of an individual on a personal as well as a professional level. Communicating with people who challenge this take a great deal of patience on my part, but I always try to be the bigger person and be accepting of changes as needed. Another challenge to me is working with individuals who are disinterested in being a team player. I have worked several jobs over the past 30 years, where I have worked with people who simply show up for the paycheck. While the pay is highly important to me, completing the goal that is expected of us is just as important to me. Those who choose to sit back and watch while others bear the brunt of the work are irritating to me at the least, and I have no time for them in a professional or personal setting. While I certainly say this is one of my biggest hang-ups, I am also willing to help those individuals to become better workers, who are willing to put a foot forward and be a team worker. I have worked with several people who have become great coworkers and good friends as well. I try to be aware of the fact that sometimes individuals have not been challenged to the level that is needed, and therefore have not been pushed to show their potential. Being aware of body language is important in such matters, as I try very hard not to show my disapproval through my emotions. a) Creating a plan; Physical – Return to running, distance of 3 miles/3 days per week. Start with running 1 mile/3 times weekly with gradual increase to goal within 6 weeks. Improve diet plan, no soft drinks and increase water consumption to at least 1 gallon daily. Cut out soft drinks completely, be mindful of food choices at work and at home. Fight the urge to have what is easiest or most appealing at the moment. Vital/rhythmic – Manage a beneficial schedule, where balance to family, work, personal reflection time and education. Develop a schedule were consistent time is allocated to each, with emphasis on family – the most important factor.
Configure a worthwhile plan for self-care, where sufficient rest with a regular schedule is present, and time to eat right for self-preservation. Set hard limits for getting to bed at a regular and reasonable time, and schedule sufficient rest time, 8 hours per night. Mental/emotional – Continue to improve on coping mechanisms, and relaxation techniques. Employ deep breathing exercises to aide in relaxation in tense situations, get those runs in for stress relief.
Reduce self-criticality, be more understanding regarding short-comings and set expectations lower. I am only human, and I am not perfect. Set lower expectations and reasonable goals. Biographical/spiritual body – Improve on my image as a parent, strive to show my children the person I want them to become and appreciate. Show them the person I know they will appreciate as they get older, as a parent and a human being.
Reignite the religious fire that burns with inconsistency within myself, make this a priority over less important items and activities. The goals I prefer to achieve most are to follow God, and of the many examples I choose for my children to appreciate this is the biggest goal. Love of all people regardless of differences is so important to me. D. Healing Environments 1) According to Samueli Institute, the four elements of healing are; Internal – healing intention and personal wholeness, Interpersonal – healing relationships and healing organizations, Behavioral – healthy lifestyles and integrative care, and External – healing spaces and ecological sustainability. West Hills Health and Rehab, Internal – a positive and enriching healing experience, Interpersonal – unparalleled customer-centered services in a caring, consistent and timely manner, Behavioral – embracing diversity and operating with care and integrity in an environment of purpose, belonging and accountability, External – proud and contributing members of the communities served. 2) For my facility, I would provide clear and concise information of my goals in relation to the four elements. The first organization has clear advertising of what it intends to provide in relation to the healing environments, while the second institution is vague in some aspects. Further explanation of each element would be ideal, but, for the sake of efficiency in advertising, space may be limited as well as catch phrases for attention. I would also further emphasize behavioral elements, with attention on trust. My experience with some institutions has inflicted lack of trust an integrity due to concerns of corrupt institutions, and any points which might lend a hand to pointing out the importance of this to the customer base would be of high impact. Some information regarding success rates might also lend credibility to the organization as well.

References
Keirsey Temperament Sorter (KTS-II), website analysis tool, 6 March 2016 http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/returned.aspx Koener, J.G., 2011, Healing Presence: The Essence of Nursing, 2nd edition, Springer
Publishing, New York, pages 3-4, 134-135, 138-139

National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Traditional Chinese Medicine: In Depth, retrieved February 21, 2016, https://necih.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/chinesemed.htm

Nursing Management, (Springhouse), Issue volume 44 (11), November 2013, pages – 24-29 http://www.nursingmanagement.com Samueli Institute, Optimal Healing Environments, retrieved March 2016, www.samueliinstitute.org/research-areas/optimal-healing-environments

Science Daily, Know Thyself: How mindfulness can improve self-knowledge, retrieved March 15, 2016, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130314180259.htm West Hills Health and Rehab, retrieved March 2016
www.westhillshealthandrehab,com/platinum_service.html