Self-Care in Nursing

Research Paper # 100157

Medical and Health > Nursing

This paper discusses the necessity of self-care for nurses.

2,611 words () | 8 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that nurses must understand and implement their own needs so that they will be in a position to care for and heal their patients. The paper discusses the obstacles which impede the care of self in nursing, such as the nursing shortage and stress and burnout. The paper discusses how the care of self is a matter of preventive strategies as well as a positive means to cope with future stressors.

Outline:
Introduction
Description of the Clinical Situation
Relevance of Care for Self
Three Issues
Future Practice
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The topic of caring for self is relevant to me personally and to all nurses since, without care for self, physical and psychological health are impacted, and the nurse is left without essential resources. Both I and other nurses will not be capable of caring for patients unless care for self is undertaken. The outcomes of inordinate stress are seen in such problems as insomnia and an inability to relax. The organization also is affected because high levels of stress produce a negative impact on commitment (Aiken, et al., 2002). Care for self is so fundamental that it needs to be viewed as a dimension of professional development for nurses."

Sample of Sources Used:

Aiken, L., S. Clarke, D. Sloane, J. Sochalski & Silber, J. (2002). Hospital nurse staffing and patient mortality, nurse burnout, and job dissatisfaction. JAMA, 288 (16), 1987-1994.
Donnelly, G. (2004). Raising the bar for healing environments. Holistic Nursing Practice, 18 (1), 1.
Gates, D. (2001). Stress and coping: A model for the workplace. AAOHN Journal, 49 (8), 390-399.
Horrigan, B. & Block, B. (2003). Self care for hospital staff also benefits patients. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 9 (1), 33.
Jackson, C. (2004). Healing ourselves, healing others: First in a series. Holistic Nursing Practice, 18 (2), 67-82.