Catholic Social Teaching

Dignity of the human person and common good are two factors that make life enjoyable or worst in our planet earth. Human dignity holds the central position on respect for life and the human person irrespective of race, ethnicity or social status. In sense dignity of human person refers to respect of any life of human person regardless of background. On the other hand, common good summarizes the collective conditions that cause every benefit of all people as community. As professional nurse it is my responsibility to uphold dignity of human person and to work toward the realization of common good in nursing practice through provision of lifestyle education. Lifestyle education refers to teachings, trainings and counseling on personal health care and disease prevention. There are various catholic social teachings principles that work harmonically to achieve human dignity and common rule in nursing practice (Calo, 2015).   Catholic thought principles are important guidelines in nursing practice and help in promoting human dignity. Nursing practice issue of lifestyle education which include disease prevention, counseling and personal health care are perfectly guided by catholic thought principles to promote human dignity. Firstly, in event of counseling or training client on personal health care, human dignity provide the basis of these teaching and counseling (Melà ©, 2005). In this respect, education on personal care and illness prevention is provided with the view that human beings are important and are image of God. Secondly, protection of human rights and responsibilities is fundamental for good nursing practice. Catholic thought principles offers connection between human rights and responsibility and nursing-client relationship during training services to clients. Nursing practice therefore play a critical role in respecting patient’s right to good health and it is my responsibility to pro vide them good counseling on health lifestyle (Thomas, 2012). Thirdly, catholic thought principles require nurse to be steward of creation. Nursing practice especially disease early prevention and personal health require nurses to respect the sanctity of creation and this is vivid in handling of trainees. Therefore, provision of health care to human person and other creation is upholding the dignity of humanity. Fourthly, the principle of solidarity reminds is critical and mark human person as family regardless of ethnicity, race or ideological differences. Nursing profession is a key player through offering teaching to clients and showing love for clients as a dignified person. Finally, nursing practice applies the catholic thought principle of work dignity and right of workers by promoting good cooperation and relation between nurses and other health workers such as clinical officers, physicians, and laboratory technologists (Calo, 2015). Application of various catholic thought principles in nursing lifestyle education is important for promotion of common good in hospitals and health care facilities. Firstly, nursing practice is laid on community and common good principle (Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, 2008). The current realization of social nature of humanity serves to as the basis or guidelines for our involvement in educating community on health and disease prevention. As nurse it is my aim to interact with clients and hence provide the required training and respect for the good all of individuals. Secondly, I seek to minimise division between the poor and vulnerable individuals in the society. To achieve this objective my role as a nurse is to offer equal and best health care to the poor and the rich in the society. Thirdly, according Melà © (2005), to realize common good, participation and subsidiarity is important in nursing practice. This implies that all people are give equal opportunity to receive counseli ng in community affairs. It is my responsibility as community servant to harmonically include everyone in the social health workshop. Fourthly, promotion of peace is a step to realization of common good. According to Verity and Yasmin (2015), mutual respect and confident for others play a critical role in promotion happy life and this is evidence in the uttermost respect and confidentiality nursing offers to patients. In addition, involvement in community lifestyle education, training and counseling is good avenue to promote peaceful leaving in society. In conclusion, nursing practice uphold catholic thought principles in ensuring dignity of human person and promotion of common good. As nurse provision of lifestyle education on disease prevention and personal health care has an aim to respect life of human person. On the other hand, lifestyle education for individuals or community goes beyond individual interest. The core catholic social teaching operates on respect for human life and collective benefit of all people. In nutshell, nursing lifestyle education works within the context of human right responsibility for individual and as community in general. All practice within the nurse profession considers respect for Creator and the sanctity of human life as principles of catholic thought. Calo, Z. R. (2015), Catholic Social Thought and Human Rights. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 74: 93–112. doi: 10.1111/ajes.12088 Bishops of England and Wales (1996), The Common Good and the Catholic Church’s Social Teaching n.70. Melà ©, D. (2005), â€Å"The Principle of Subsidiarity in Organizations: A Case Study.† Journal of Business Ethics 60, no. 3293-305. Verity, W. and Yasmin, P. (2015), "Golden triangle of happiness: Study finds three simple things needed for a happy life".   ABC News 1(1): 20. Posted on Sat 17-10-2015. Thomas, M. (2012), Living Justly: Catholic Social Teaching in Action. Plymouth, UK: Rowman & Littlefield. p 85. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2008), "Securing the Common Good in a Time of Global Crises", speech, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, MA, October 21, 2008.