What Altruism in Nursing Looks Like

Can you define altruism in nursing? It means putting others’ needs before your own comfort or convenience. But scholars say that modern nursing practice and altruism are not always aligned. Let’s explore the nuances of practicing altruism, ways you can use it in your practice, and examples of nurse altruism.

What Is Nursing Altruism?

Acting with altruism as a nurse means that you prioritize the needs of patients and their families above all else. It’s similar to compassion, but goes a step further, asking nurses to act in the service of others without the need for personal gain. Altruism has long been a principle of caring and nursing ethics, and some even call it the heart of nursing.

Where did this idea come from? Early nursing leaders, such as Florence Nightingale, viewed nursing as a calling rooted in moral duty. For centuries, nuns served as caretakers to the sick and injured, motivated by charity and faith. It wasn’t until the formation of nurse training programs that nursing began to be perceived not just as a charitable service, but a profession rooted in skill and science.

The Challenges of Practicing Altruism

Much has changed since Nightingale’s days. Modern nurses exist in a society shaped by capitalism, individual achievement, and economic pressures — factors that conflict with the selflessness traditionally associated with the field. In the words of one nurse scholar, “A chasm exists between the values of our society and those of our profession.”

Nurses may still feel motivated by altruism, but they’re also navigating realities like student debt, understaffing, burnout, and systems that often demand self-sacrifice without adequate support.

If altruism becomes synonymous with self-neglect, nurses can feel pressured to accept unsafe assignments, skip breaks, or work excessive overtime — all in the name of putting patients first.

In practice, self-sacrifice doesn’t always benefit patients. If you hurt your back repositioning a patient by yourself, you might be too injured to help someone else to the bathroom later. Having altruistic intentions can also contribute to feelings of burnout exacerbated when nurses face barriers to good care. And the image of the exhausted, self-sacrificing nurse may also work as a deterrent against potential nursing recruits, furthering the shortage of nurses.

To practice altruism sustainably, patients’ needs must be taken into context of the nurse’s well-being. Caring for others and caring for oneself need not be competing priorities. Healthy boundaries and adequate support mean that nurses can care for patients in the best way possible, because when nurses are rested and valued, their capacity for generosity grows.

Tips for Practicing Altruism as a Nurse

Practicing altruism means making intentional choices that center patients’ well-being, uphold compassion, and promote equity. These are some practical, sustainable ways nurses can embody altruism in everyday practice:

• Be a compassionate presence: Sometimes the most altruistic act is simply being there. Sitting with a frightened patient, listening without judgment, or offering reassurance are all ways to practice altruism and compassion in nursing.
• Advocate for vulnerable patients: Altruism also shows up in your willingness to speak up, even when it’s not easy. This can mean clarifying unclear orders, questioning unsafe discharges, or ensuring that patients who struggle to communicate have their needs heard. Advocacy is especially critical in promoting social justice in nursing, helping address disparities that affect marginalized populations.
• Share knowledge: Teaching a new nurse how to start an IV, helping a CNA learn a new skill, or walking a family through a complex diagnosis reflects altruism through generosity and patience.
• Practice patient-centered care: Honoring a patient’s autonomy and decisions is an essential element of practicing with altruism. Thoroughly explaining a procedure, respecting cultural beliefs, and obtaining informed consent are all ways of promoting patient-centered care.
• Collaborate: Supporting teammates when they’re overwhelmed, offering help during emergencies, and creating a culture of mutual care are all expressions of altruism. Collective compassion for your coworkers and other staff can help make your workplace stronger.
• Set healthy boundaries: Healthy altruism includes recognizing when you’re overstretched. Saying no to unsafe assignments, taking your breaks, and caring for your own physical and mental well-being ensures that your care remains compassionate rather than coerced.

5 Examples of Altruism in Nursing

1. When a med-surg unit is short-staffed in the evening, a dayshift nurse voluntarily stays for two hours to help pass medications and complete first assessments.
2. An ICU nurse notices that a patient who says they are fluent in English asks few questions and seems disengaged during an education session. The nurse takes the time to call the family to ask about language needs, and requests a virtual translator to the unit.
3. When a cardiac nurse notices their coworker is overwhelmed with a crashing patient, the nurse steps in to provide support and check in on their other patients.
4. A psychiatric nurse practitioner donates their time at a homeless shelter, giving free mental health evaluations and medication counseling to clients.
5. While precepting a new grad, the nurse notices their preceptee seems nervous about a new procedure. Even though they have a lot of work to do, the nurse takes the preceptee aside to offer support and encouragement.

Looking for a New Opportunity to Practice Altruism?

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