What is Altruism in Nursing? (With Examples, Importance, & Challenges)
Written By:
Chris Meyer
Chris Meyer, FNP-BC, MSN, RN
Chris Meyer is a Family Nurse Practitioner based in East Tennessee currently working at a small rural primary care clinic. Chris began his journey in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant while pursuing his nursing degree. He spent two years working in a step-down unit before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and transitioning to the Intensive Care Unit as a Registered Nurse. Read Full Bio »» , FNP-BC, MSN, RN
When you think about nurses, do you picture people who are kind, caring, and ready to help? A big part of being a nurse is thinking about what others need and then putting their needs above your own. This act of selflessness is known as being altruistic. Have you heard the term altruism and wondered what it is or if altruism in nursing is important?
Although there are many characteristics that make a good nurse, I believe altruism is one thing that makes nurses so special. If you are considering nursing as a profession or if you are already practicing nursing, chances are, you already have natural altruistic tendencies. While some people pursue nursing careers for reasons like the potential of earning a good income or having job security, unless they have a true desire to improve the lives of others, they typically do not stay in this field. With that in mind, I want to answer the question, “What is altruism in nursing,” and tell you why it is important.
What Exactly is Altruism in Nursing?
Altruism in nursing is the selfless act of showing compassion, care, and concern for others' well-being, even at the cost of sacrificing your own comfort or convenience. It is an essential part of the nursing profession, signifying a willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a patient's wellness. While altruism is not limited to nursing alone, this character trait is especially evident in the most successful nurses.
Ultimately, altruism in nursing means prioritizing patients' needs and putting them first. You will find nurses who act altruistically providing comfort to patients before and after punching the time clock. They offer emotional support to their patient's families and advocate for patient rights, even at their own expense. I remember working in the ICU during the pandemic with nurses who truly displayed altruism. Their willingness to put patients and their care above all else led me to want to become a better nurse, and I did my best to provide care by their example.
5 Reasons Why Altruism in Nursing is Important
Altruism is essential in nursing for many reasons, including having a significant impact on patient care and outcomes. Let us explore five of the top reasons why altruism in nursing is so important.
Reason #1: Promotes Patient Trust and Confidence and Improved Experiences
Altruism plays a crucial role in nursing as it
helps to build trust and confidence from the patient’s perspective. When nurses exhibit selfless acts of care and compassion, it makes patients feel valued, understood, and secure. This trust, in turn, can greatly enhance their cooperation and willingness to follow treatment plans. By practicing altruism, nurses create a nurturing environment that promotes healing and well-being, making a positive impact on patients' overall healthcare experience.
Reason #2: Improves Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes
Altruistic nurses consistently go above and beyond to ensure patients receive exceptional care. The nurses who skip a bathroom break to stay by a patient’s side, stay late after a shift, or work to improve the quality of their care have an impact on patients. These acts of altruism are associated with improved patient satisfaction as well as promoting quicker recovery times, fewer complications, and ultimately better outcomes for patients. Your commitment and compassion can make a significant impact on the overall quality of care provided, which also improves organizational outcomes and promotes the nursing profession in a positive light.
Reason #3: Enhances Job Satisfaction
Altruism in nursing can give you a sense of satisfaction and self-worth that spills over into your professional life and leads to enhanced job satisfaction. Although nurses work tirelessly, and their efforts can sometimes be overlooked by management and even by the patients themselves, making a significant difference in someone's life can give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. When you feel fulfillment and improved job satisfaction, you are more likely to remain motivated, which can help stave off the ever-present risk of nurse burnout.
On a personal note, I can say that from the time I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, then became a Registered Nurse, and now as a Nurse Practitioner, any opportunity to show kindness has not only benefited my patients, but me as well. I have learned that I can be altruistic by only making promises I know I can keep and listening more than I speak. Small gestures of kindness, such as offering a cup of water or coffee, or sitting by a patient during a difficult time, can speak volumes to our patients and help improve their satisfaction and their outcomes. As a result, I feel the satisfaction of knowing I made a difference, even if it is a small one, in my patient’s healthcare experience.
Reason #4: Encourages a Positive Work Environment
When altruistic nurses work together, it creates a positive and supportive work environment. Nurses who prioritize patients' needs over their own can inspire others to do the same, creating a culture of compassion and empathy. Altruism is contagious, and when demonstrated at the nurse's station, it can create a ripple effect of kindness that extends beyond nurses to patients, families, and everyone else who experiences those behaviors. You can inspire your co-workers, family, friends, and even your patients to lead their lives in a way that promotes the well-being of others.
I love working with nurses who act selflessly and prioritize patient care. I have friends and colleagues who truly are shining examples of what altruism in nursing is all about. Working with nurses like that makes the workday much easier and the environment so much more pleasant.
Reason #5: Upholds the Ethical Standards of Nursing
Altruism in nursing is important because it is a reflection of ethical behavior. As nurses, when we practice altruism, we are instrumental in promoting a strong, positive reputation for the profession. By prioritizing the needs of others, we make a real difference in the lives of those we care for. This creates a nurturing environment that promotes healing and well-being. With dedication and compassion, nurses truly embody the spirit of altruism, going above and beyond to provide the best possible care to everyone they serve.
What are the Most Common Examples of Altruism in Nursing?
(The following are the 10 most common examples of altruism in nursing.)
Now that you have a better grasp of what altruism is and how it is exemplified in nursing, let us expand on it by looking at situations in which nurses utilize altruism. The following are the 10 most common examples of altruism in nursing.
Example #1: Making Patient-Centered Decisions
Altruism in nursing is demonstrated when nurses make decisions using a
patient-centered care approach. Patient-centered care focuses on making decisions that prioritize the patient's health, comfort, and overall well-being above administrative protocols or personal convenience. An altruistic nurse might spend extra time explaining a procedure to a nervous patient, adjusting their care plan to better suit the patient's lifestyle, or advocating for a patient's preferences during team meetings. By making patient-centered decisions, we do not just provide medical care; we respect and acknowledge the patient's individual needs, fears, and values, exemplifying the true spirit of altruism in the nursing profession.
Example #2: Being a Patient Advocate
Being a patient advocate involves standing up for a patient's rights, ensuring their voice is heard, and defending their choices, even when it may seem challenging. Nurses who advocate for their patients often face difficult conversations with family members or other medical professionals. Still, they do so out of a selfless commitment to the patient's autonomy and best interests. By prioritizing the patient's rights and wishes, nurses exemplify altruism, putting their patients' welfare above their own comfort or convenience. This selfless advocacy fosters trust, promotes patient autonomy, and improves patient outcomes.
Being a patient advocate does not always mean talking with doctors or other healthcare team members. Anything you do to help improve a patient’s situation is an act of advocacy and can be considered altruism. For example, one of my nursing peers shared with me a story about a patient she cared for in a nursing home. The patient had no family and few friends visited her. Seeing her patient sad and depressed led my friend to want to make a difference. She worked with other nurses at the nursing home and set up a community outreach mission to have people “adopt a grandparent” at the nursing home. Many people in the community volunteered and came to the nursing home to visit with residents who had no family or loved ones nearby. She said it made such a huge impact on the emotional well-being of patients, which led to improved overall health outcomes.
Example #3: Providing Compassionate Nursing Care
Providing
compassionate nursing care can sometimes be challenging, particularly when dealing with patients or family members who have difficult attitudes or display aggression. However, true altruism is demonstrated by the dedicated nurses who, despite facing abuse or challenging behavior from patients, continue to provide unwavering care. I admire the resilience and commitment of these nurses, who consistently show up and deliver high-quality care, regardless of the circumstances. Their admirable dedication serves as an example of the selflessness and compassion that defines the nursing profession.
Example #4: Advocating for Community Health
Most nurses genuinely want to help people on and off the clock. Many nurses are active in their community and demonstrate altruism through involvement in community outreach programs like the
American Red Cross or the
Medical Reserve Corps and dedication to promoting public health and safety. By using platforms like these and advocating for community health, nurses contribute to the well-being of their community as a whole. They collaborate with local organizations and community leaders to address health disparities and implement initiatives that improve the overall health of the community. Through their efforts, nurses empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and encourage healthy behaviors, which can have long-lasting effects.
Example #5: Providing Free Services
Free nursing services are a generous act of kindness that helps provide healthcare to uninsured or underinsured individuals. Nurses who volunteer for programs like
Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinics demonstrate this principle. By sacrificing their time without expecting payment, these nurses make significant contributions to society. In addition to offering same-day medical and dental care, nurses do so much more by bringing hope to communities that lack access to a healthcare system. Sharing expertise and compassion with people who may otherwise not receive care is a selfless act that represents the essence of altruism in nursing.
Example #6: Sticking around after a shift
Many nurses are willing to stick around a while after their shifts have ended, despite having a busy personal schedule. Nurses who stay a little longer after a shift, whether to assist the oncoming nurse or spend extra time with patients and their families, demonstrate altruism in nursing. This act of dedication reveals the genuine care nurses have for their patients and colleagues, placing others' well-being above their own, which is what altruism is all about.
I have experienced altruism from my coworkers in several ways. One altruistic act I always appreciate is when nurses who are working off their shifts stay a little longer to help with patient care. For example, I have had coworkers stay to help clean patients whose beds became soiled just before shift change. Although their shifts had ended, they prioritized patient care over their own desire to clock out and leave work. Their act of kindness helped me get my day started on the right track so I could take over patient care in their absence
Example #7: Following up post-discharge
For many nurses, part of our job description is to make post-discharge calls to patients to see if they are managing well or if they have any unresolved concerns or questions. As nurses, many of us like to keep in touch with our former patients to see how they are doing after they leave our care. Some nurses go beyond what is required and continue to follow up with former patients (with patient permission, of course). Being a friend or advocate even after we are “not needed” is an act of altruism in nursing.
Example #8: Personalizing patient rooms
Some nurses take the time to personalize patients' rooms with decorations or pictures of the patients' loved ones. This act helps boost morale, particularly in long-term care where patients may not have frequent visitors. It creates a welcoming and comforting environment, promoting healing and well-being. This small act of kindness goes beyond the regular duties of a nurse and demonstrates the altruistic nature that many nurses possess.
Example #9: Organizing a fundraiser for a patient struggling with medical expenses.
Healthcare costs in the USA are widely known to be expensive. Unfortunately, healthcare costs are one of the main things that lead many Americans to avoid seeking care, as they fear experiencing financial hardship. As a nurse, I have witnessed numerous instances where patients have been discharged from care, only to face staggering medical bills. While there are nationwide financial assistance programs available, not everyone qualifies or knows where to turn. In some cases, nurses demonstrate altruism by going the extra mile by organizing efforts to help patients with healthcare costs. A few common resources I have seen used are GoFundMe accounts and sharing donation requests to seek additional financial support (with patent permission, of course).
Example #10: Comforting and counseling grieving patients and family members
While nurses have the responsibility of creating a safe space for a patient's family to grieve after the loss of their loved one, being there for a patient or their family, offering comfort and advice, or simply sitting quietly with them is not obligatory. Nurses who take extra time out of their day to support families during times of mourning or when coping with a difficult diagnosis are a good example of altruism in nursing.
5 Most Common Challenges Nurses Face in Practicing Altruism
I think it is in a nurse’s DNA to want to help and care. Always wanting to be there is not always easy, though. Demonstrating true altruism in nursing can be challenging, at times. The following is a list of some of the common challenges nurses face in practicing altruism.
Challenge #1: Who has the time?
Nurses today have more responsibilities now than ever before. The nursing shortage was only exacerbated by the pandemic, and those of us who are still practicing are left to shoulder
the additional burden. With limited hours in the day, it becomes challenging to find the time to pause, take a breath, and prioritize the patient's experience. The demands of our time can easily lead to frustration, and this frustration can obstruct the ability to provide the best possible care.
Challenge #2: Lack of appreciation
There may be times when a patient is not easy to deal with. They may be rude or demanding. It can be tough to stay kind and patient in these situations. As a nurse, you are committed to helping people through the healing process, no matter what. However, it is definitely a challenge when you try to help someone who seems to be going out of their way to make your shift miserable. Personally, I have been kicked, spit at, cursed, mean mugged, and frankly dealt with some nasty people who truly needed help but had a hard time accepting that help. Dealing with these situations and keeping the patient a priority is one of the challenges of altruism in nursing.
Challenge #3: Emotional Burnout
Nursing burnout is a bear. It is what encouraged me to go to a part-time schedule in the ICU and go back to school to get my master's degree. I find that naturally compassionate nurses struggle to provide optimal care when they are overworked and worn out even before their shift begins. They start to feel sad, become resentful of their jobs and management, and have an unwillingness to go to work, leading to a decreased level of empathy compared to what they usually exhibit. Consequently, caring for patients turns into a more demanding task. In this state, you may struggle to find the strength to perform extra acts of kindness that you genuinely wish to offer.
Challenge #4: Limited resources and staffing
High staffing ratios, short-staffed units, and no-call no-shows are phrases that make us shudder, especially at the start of a shift. Yet, it happens all the time. I think we just become immune to it and expect it after a while. You might feel overwhelmed, as if there's only time for back-to-back med passes, especially if you are the only nurse tasked with an entire medical-surgical floor. In these challenging and often recurring situations, it is hard to go above and beyond for patients. You may feel as though you are trying to stay afloat with a heavy weight dragging you under, which makes showing altruism in nursing challenging.
Challenge #5: The juggling act
It is no secret that nurses are experts in multitasking. However, it becomes a real challenge to provide optimal care when we are handling multiple tasks at once. In busy healthcare settings, nurses often have to prioritize and make quick decisions about which patient needs immediate attention. If you have multiple patients with diverse needs, you may feel like you are in a juggling act at the circus. Unfortunately, being pulled in so many directions makes showing altruism a bit challenging.
My Final Thoughts
Nurses, in general, I believe, are kind people with big hearts. We try to give our all without expecting anything back, which is the perfect explanation for the question, “What is altruism in nursing?” Whether you decorate patients’ rooms, visit with family, and loved ones, or spearhead a fundraiser to help a needy patient, showing altruism in nursing is one of the kindest things we can do for patients and ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. Is Altruism A Good Or Bad Trait For Nurses To Have?
Altruism is an absolutely good trait for nurses to have. You do not stay in this business for long without it. Nurses are helpers and healers who genuinely care for and want to improve the lives of their patients.
2. What's The One Thing That Nurses Can Do Every Day To Be Altruistic?
I think making the conscious decision to stay positive is the first step to being altruistic. I have seen so many nurses become jaded and leave the profession. Every day, you get to choose to give your all, no matter the circumstances.
3. Why Are Some Nurses More Altruistic Than Others?
I think some nurses just have a deeper well of compassion than others. That probably comes from a heady mixture of personal and professional experience. As I said earlier, I think all nurses have the initial desire to give their all, but not every nurse has the fortitude to remain compassionate and patient in difficult circumstances.
4. Can Altruism Be Taught Or Is It An Inherent Quality In Nurses?
Altruism can be taught. Some people may not know what altruism looks like because they have never experienced or witnessed it for themselves. Everyone has the inherent capability for compassion, and I believe that altruism is contagious. Nurses who display this quality can inspire others to do the same.
5. What Role Does Empathy Play In Altruistic Nursing Care?
Empathy is a core tenant of altruistic nursing care. Attempting to understand another's feelings and showing compassion to help someone through a difficult time is foundational. I do not think you can perform altruistic acts in nursing or otherwise without empathy.
List Of Sources Used For This Article
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(PDF) Altruism in nursing from 2012 to 2022: A scoping review (researchgate.net)
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nursingprocess.org)
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nursingprocess.org)
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U.S. healthcare spending is the highest among developed countries. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2019).
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2019/us-health-care-spending-highest-among-developed-countries
5. 15 Top Reasons Why Nurses Are Leaving the Profession (
nursingprocess.org)
Chris Meyer, FNP-BC, MSN, RN
Chris Meyer is a Family Nurse Practitioner based in East Tennessee currently working at a small rural primary care clinic. Chris began his journey in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant while pursuing his nursing degree. He spent two years working in a step-down unit before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and transitioning to the Intensive Care Unit as a Registered Nurse. However, during the pandemic, Chris decided to explore other avenues and returned to school to obtain a Master’s degree, which ultimately led him to his current position.