Professional Presence and Influence
Assessment

A. Professional Presence
1.
Throughout the years there have been various theories and models regarding nursing and healthcare. Doctor Larry Dossey (1982) identified three “Eras” of healthcare as the structure for healthcare in the Western world. Two of which are the Mechanical Model also known as Era I, and the Body/Mind Model known as Era II. Era I began in the 1860’s, the model reflected the view that disease was purely physical in nature and that physical interventions such as medications, surgical procedures, or bloodletting were required to promote healing. Consciousness, thoughts, and beliefs were not considered to be factors in healing but merely side effects of the facets of the brain (Koerner, 2011.) This medical model continued until the 1950’s, shortly after World War II ended Era II began. While Era II continued to focus on the physical aspects of illness and disease, healthcare changed its focus to how the mind effects the body rather than the mind being an effect of the body. Patient’s views, passions, and thoughts were understood to have physical effects on the body. Stress for example was understood to contribute to other problems such as hypertension. (Dossey, 1999.)
2.
Personally I believe Era II is on the right track, but in my opinion a more holistic approach is needed for true heath. To be healthy is not just to be free of disease. While the model described in Era II recognizes that the brain does have an effect on our health, it does not take nutritional, sexual, or spiritual health into consideration.
3.
I do my best to be mindful in all aspects of my nursing practice. Being distracted has the potential to cause fatal errors, not advocate for the patient properly, and most importantly appear rushed or uncaring to the patients themselves. In the hospital setting, however, being