Developmental Psychology

Shirley Shepherd

Psychology 2314

May 9, 2010

How Developmental Psychology Relates To Nursing

I have chosen nursing as my career path.   For this reason, I worked in a nursing

setting for fifteen years as a nurse technician.   I spent many years in this setting and feel

that I have a pretty good understanding as to what goes on day to day.   Before I chose

to become a nurse, I examined myself to see if I had the right qualities for this

demanding job.   Qualities such as caring, compassion, a strong desire and willingness

to help those in need, patience, honesty and above all, good health.   The strength I have

gained in my psychology course will help me fulfill my duties caring for patients and

their families.

Developmental psychology is a requirement to earn a degree in the nursing

profession.   Psychology has many sub-categories and different stages.   My goal is to

become a pediatric nurse.   I worked with mother and baby while working at the

Women Hospital Of Texas.   Those were the best years of my career as a nurse

technician.   Developmental psychology will be a great asset in my new career as a

nurse.   Applying the basis of developmental psychology will assist me in the initative

of giving the best care to patients.   Applying psychology in my new career as a nurse

will enable me to understand why people behave and think the way they do.   As a nurse,

I need to know psychology because nurses are often right in the midst of life events of

their patient’s death, births, major illness, rehabilitation and recovery.  
Understanding psychology will help me to anticipate what the patient and his or her

family will be feeling and the way they may react.   This will help me to better plan

nursing interventions.   Knowing the different aspects of psychology will help me to

use reverse psychology to get patients to be calm and cooperative in their care.   The

use of psychology and my compassion for...