Professional Presence and Influence

Introduction
This essay is an exploration of professional presence and its impact in the medical field. The ability of a health professional to understand and react to their patients can have both positive and negative impacts. According to McMahon and Christopher (2011), professional presence is the therapeutic application of self and involves the use of art and sciences of nursing. The benefit of the professional presence in healthcare is that it promotes patients’ experiences during the delivery of care. Present health professionals assist the patient to adopt the therapeutic environs through the application of healing concepts and the model of care.
Professional Presence
Difference between Eastern and Western Health Models
Eastern medicine has been in place since times in memorial where yoga relieves asthmatic symptoms, acupuncture relieves headache, or migraines are relieved by herbal medicine. However, there lacks scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the interventions to health. On the contrary, western medicine is promoted by scientific evidence to explore the physical functioning of the body. However, several discomforts and side effects of western medicines are common even in the treatment of complicated conditions. Kelner and Wellman (2014) explain that Eastern medications can be used in line with western medications to alleviate the discomforts and side effects to promote the patient’s experience.
Another difference between the Western and Eastern health model is that the Eastern majors on the body software while the western majors on the body’s hardware. This simply means that the Eastern model explores energy regulation in the body and mind and its impact on the patient’s health, while, the western model applies scientific methods to explore the physical parameters of a patient. Unlike the western health models that explore the physical or the body parameter, the Eastern health model relies on the association between the body, the mind, and the spirit. The western model relies mostly on treatment without an evaluation of the core cause and results to side effects (Micozzi, 2018). However, the Eastern model rather than relying on pharmaceutical operations, tests and drugs apply spiritual activities and natural resources to alleviate symptoms and pain.
Difference between Western Health Model and My Professional Presence
I enrolled in the nursing profession due to my inner desire to help others by making a difference in their lives and health. I believe in the value of doing to others as I would wish them to do to me. I believe in the application of a holistic approach where the family, trauma, emotions, childhood, environment, stress and work affect health. Contrary to this approach is the use of the western health model which mostly relies on the pharmaceutical element of treatment that relies on the physical body without minding the spiritual aspects as well as brain health (Farquhar, 2018). If I am a patient, I would wish to receive a mind-body intervention that emphasizes holistic treatment as well as prevention. Several benefits are possible from alternative medicines like improved sleep, increased immunity, reduced use of medications, natural pain management, and reduced stress.
The best care to the patient through the use of a western medical approach is narrow and limited. This is because modern medicines believe in the use of strong and evidenced-based research to any approach. Farquhar (2018) explains that the application of science places all other alternatives as inferior because they lack a scientific backup. However, this I believe is not a guarantee that such procedures are not effective. Besides, modern medications are fully reactive and directed towards treatment without considering prevention. Worse, the method only explores treatment based on symptoms rather than treating the core cause of the problem. Besides, some treatment methods may make the situation worse for the patient like chemotherapy rather than alleviating the pain.
Mindfulness in Professional Presence
I am a mindful nurse as I can intentionally experience the present happenings with an open and curious attitude. I am always awake of the present by applying all the five senses which help to identify any changes in my mind arena without pushing or holding the present experiences. A mindful brain results in a clear and calm head. However, this is an art I have learned over time through mindfulness meditation.
A Harvard Health article (2019) provides that mindfulness in nursing is beneficial as it reduces distractions and increases awareness, in turn increasing assessment skills. Besides, I have developed my communication skills with colleagues and patients through self-awareness of their needs. A Harvard Health article (2019) explains that speaking and listening keenly increases the effectiveness of communication and improves clinical outcomes. Besides, mindfulness has helped me to easily cope with personal and professional stresses which in turn reduce professional burnout.
Personality Preferences
Jung Personality Test
After undertaking the Jung personality test, I learned that I have a defender personality, an aspect termed as Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging (ISFJ). According to the test, an individual with ISFJ personality are responsible, warm-hearted and reserved. Human Metrics (2019) explains that persons with this personality tend to be introverted, are quire, more focused and key observers. These elements are essential in remembering details of patients in particular and they are more tuned to the feelings and emotions of others. I agree with this analysis as I am empathetic, I remember details of my patients and people I meet.
Human Metrics (2019) explains that although ISFJs understand others easily, they face challenges in attempts to expressing myself. This may result in an individual keeping quiet while feeling lost or stressed. I agree with this trait as it was one problem I fought for years when I almost fell into depression without my knowledge. However, through mindful meditation and self-awareness, I learned how to speak out and share with others. There is also the element that persons with ISFJs are concrete and resist change, this I disagree with it as I am very adaptable.
The personality plays a vital role while relating to friends and families as the introvert aspects make me more oriented to facts rather than theories in everything. It angers when one presents me with theories rather than facts. I am more than loyal and many of my friends take advantage of that which led me to spend more time indoors watching movies. Professionally, I am accurate and methodical with high analytical abilities and exceptional memories. I am sympathetic and empathetic an element that not only facilitates my relationship with patients but increases my desire to further my education. However, the majority of other personality may misunderstand my ability to articulate or hide my challenging distress.
Mindfulness Practice
My Personal Goals
Physical: To meet my personal needs, the first aspect is maintaining a regular physical exercise regime. This will be attained through twice a week biking, and jogging three times a week. The second way to attain my physical needs is by eating healthy by avoiding junk foods. Previously, I have relied on buying food from fast foods but I am aiming at cooking daily by preparing organic foods. Besides, I will increase my portions of vegetables and fruits and reduce red meat.
Vital/Rhythmic: To meet my Vital/Rhythmic, I will spend 20 minutes daily meditating to clear my mind, reduce stress and promote adequate sleep. The second goal is to reduce the amount of time I spend on the internet through my phone to shut myself from unnecessary distractions.
Mental/Emotional: Following my personality, I have identified the need to speak out and share my emotions with my loved ones rather than holding them. Secondly, while in high school, I used to love reading but overtime. I no longer take time to read. My goal is to enroll and be visiting the local library at least twice a week. Reading fiction books used to interest and fascinated me and am planning to start reading fiction stories again.
Biographical/Spiritual: To attain my spiritual needs, I will pray more often, take time to read spiritual books to boost my spirituality. On the aspect of biology, I will employ breathing exercises to manage any anxiety and nervousness.
How to Achieve the Goals
Physical: Four at least four days in a week, I will skip using my jump rope for 10 minutes. Rather than eating junks, I will carry my home made food to work. My meal plan will involve health foods and I will drink sufficient amount of water to remain hydrated.
Vital/Rhythmic: To meet this goal, I will be waking up at 5.00, spend the first 40 minutes of the day meditating by focusing on breathing. I will take a deep breath and concentrate on the feeling. Before sleeping, I will take a breathing exercise to ensure that am freee from any anxiety to enjoy a good sleep.
Mental/Emotional: To achieve my goals, the first element is to change my attitude by maintaining a positive attitude always. The second way is that reading is a way I relieve my stress but there is need for time management to reduce stress. Having challenges to open up, I will identify friends or an individual I can trust and open-up share my feelings. Lastly, is smiling even when I do not feel like smiling.
Biographical/Spiritual: Every day in the evening I will be identifying a quiet place where I will be contemplating about my life. In the same time, I will take time to understand my religion by reading spiritual books to learn more about my religion. Lastly, I will be taking three days in a week taking a nature walk, breathing the fresh air and appreciating my natural world.

Healing Environments
The Optimal Healing Environment (OHE) was formulated by Samueli Institute in 2004 and aims at providing an intrinsic healing capacity for the patient, health professionals, and families (Sakallaris et al., 2015). Sakallaris et al. (2015) explain that OHE includes patients, their families, their health creating behaviors and their external environments. The optimal healing environmental framework comprises of internal, external, interpersonal, and behavioral.
One of the health facilities that apply Optimal Healing Environment is Cape Coral Hospital (CCH) in Cape Coral, Fl which improves the health status of patients. The patients, their families, and health professionals promote reflection and respite. The facilities provide the family members of the patient in ICU with a care cart to promote their soul and body during the trying times (Sakallaris et al., 2016). Sakallaris et al. (2016) explain that the application of the OHE in the facility has increased the client’s satisfaction as well as promoted employee engagement.
The second health facility is CHI Health Good Samaritan affiliated by Planetree Inc. which humanizes health care processes. The OHE of Good Samaritans is founded on the principles of Planetree Inc. The application of OHE principles has led the hospital to attain high patients satisfaction scores as the model of use in health care is patient-centered attained through equitable, timely, efficient, effective and safe care. It encompasses the optimal healing environmental framework by including the aspects of human interaction; arts and entertainment; interior designs and architecture; nutrition and nurturing; information and education; family, friends and social support; complementary therapies; human touch and spirituality (CHI Health Good Samaritan, 2019).
Application of Self-Awareness and Insights
After exploring the optimal healing environmental framework, I have learned several elements that I will apply to boost my professional presence. As a nurse, active listening will be more than maintaining eye contact with patients but will be more of sitting and listening without fixing the patient on the spot. One element I will apply is giving the patient an opportunity tp explains their issue without offering suggestion. For example, the patient may just desire to open up of an issue not to seek for advice but just to be heard. In that a case, I will offer my ears to the patient.
The second insight attained is the need to use the alternative department in my place of work. In the hospital I work in, there is an alternative medicine department where we have herbalists working in conjunction with the pharmaceutical department, recreational therapists, massage therapists, and the acupuncturists. If a patient requests such a service, the facility through the physicians or the nurse in charge makes the request for the service. I work in a much diversified environment and many people are attracted to then alternative medicine and this insight will be of great help. I will start asking my patients during assessments if they would wish to have any of the alternative therapies. Use of alternative medicine will increase my professional presence as a nurse rather than relying on the western medicine which does not treat the patient as a whole.
Being a nurse, I am faced with the role of caring for other human beings which call for mindfulness and self-awareness. One element is the use of compassion and kindness while caring for patients. This is attainable through the application of a holistic approach that will meet the patients’ needs of mind, body, and spirit as well as the needs of families.
As a nurse, I am attentive and compassionate towards my patients which is founded from my caring aspect in my family and friends. This is prompted by my personality, Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging (ISFJ), where I go above and beyond for others. One element is to listen to patients and their families and provide them with meaningful information on how to promote the healing of their body, mind, and soul. Secondly, I have learned the insight to mind my nonverbal communication skills whereby I will display my empathy through my body language.

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References
A Harvard Health article. (2019). Benefits of Mindfulness: Practices for Improving Emotional and Physical Well-Being. A Harvard Health Article. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/benefits-of-mindfulness.htm
CHI Health Good Samaritan. (2019). Planetree. CHI Health Good Samaritan. Retrieved from https://www.chihealth.com/good-samaritan/about-us/planetree.html
Farquhar, J. (2018). Knowing practice: The clinical encounter of Chinese medicine. Routledge.
Human Metrics. (2019). ISFJ Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging. Human Metrics. Retrieved from http://www.humanmetrics.com/personality/isfj
Kelner, M., & Wellman, B. (2014). Complementary and alternative medicine: challenge and change. Routledge.
McMahon, M. A., & Christopher, K. A. (2011, April). Toward a mid‐range theory of nursing presence. In Nursing Forum (Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 71-82). Malden, USA: Blackwell Publishing Inc.
Micozzi, M. S. (2018). Fundamentals of Complementary, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Sakallaris, B., Macallister, L., Smith, K., & Mulvihill, D. (2015). The Business Case for Optimal Healing Environments. Global Advances In Health And Medicine, 5(1), 94-102. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.097
Sakallaris, B., Macallister, L., Smith, K., & Mulvihill, D. (2016). The Business Case for Optimal Healing Environments. Global Advances In Health And Medicine, 5(1), 94-102. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.097