Vulnerability And Its Impact On Nursing - 1782 Words

It is essential that nurses are capable of incorporating theory into their practice. Recognizing fundamental concepts such as vulnerability is a crucial element to providing effective care. Vulnerability is an elusive concept that is described as part of the human condition (Sellman, 2005). The process of vulnerability itself is very individualized and may be presented differently for each person experiencing it (De Santis Barroso, 2011). Within this paper, I will extensively explore the definition of vulnerability, the defining factors that embody the concept, and how the knowledge of this concept can influence nursing practice. Defining Vulnerability The term â€Å"vulnerable† is derived from the Latin words vulnerabilis and vulnerare,†¦show more content†¦Social Vulnerability refers to risk as its primary element (Scanlon Lee, 2007). Every individual is exposed to risk factors therefore; everyone is potentially vulnerable to health problems (Scanlon Lee, 2007). Social vulnerability consists of various economic, democratic, and cultural variables in relation to an individual’s likelihood of becoming ill (Scanlon Lee, 2007). The degree of social vulnerability is that an individual experience is greatly reliant on their personal capacity to tolerate adverse influences (Scanlon Lee, 2007). Each individual will have different strategies and abilities in coping, resisting, and recovering from situations that could result in social vulnerability (Scanlon Lee, 2007). Physical vulnerability is a result of a person’s inability to resist further harm due to their current state of weakness (Scanlon Lee, 2007). Heaslip and Board (2012) state that fatigue, weight loss, depression and insomnia are all physiological affects of vulnerability. Scanlon and Lee (2007) verify that physical vulnerability can result in advanced states of illness or even morbidity. Physically vulnerable individuals must accept support and guidance from others in order to receive appropriate treatment because they are more easily susceptible to additional problem due to their already weakened state, which compromises an individual’s capability to recover (Scanlon Lee, 2007).