support the statement below
I believe that there are certain foundational elements that all self-care routines should include. A proper diet with focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, adequate protein and high quality fats and whole grains. Plenty of sleep, exercise, and stress management are also important. Blum (2014) quotes a phrase by Leslie K. Lobell, “You cannot keep giving to others, if you do not give to yourself, first. It is like pouring water from a vessel; you cannot pour and pour without ever refilling it-eventually it will run dry.” When I care for my patient, I am caring for them as a “whole” physically, mentally, psychologically, and spiritually. If a patient is challenging to work with I try to focus on their outer shell and treat their body (shell) as a separate entity from their mind (action). This approach helps me to persevere through difficult patients and/or situations. Raines (2012), says it best, “Nurses are the last line of defense for patients who often are not strong enough to advocate for themselves. It is up to the nurse to make sure that they are safe and receive the most appropriate level of care.” One does not necessarily have to like their patient, but they must have compassion for the body as a whole or in fragments, if you will.
Providing care for an unconscious patient is probably one of the most spiritually touching experiences that I endure as a nurse. No words are exchanged, just human touch and compassion provided to a vulnerable individual who is often times unaware of his or her own surroundings. This level of intimate care makes me feel at one with my god.
Intention is an action that person intends to follow while intentionality defines the characteristic of the mental state of a person when contemplating about an intention (Shirey, 2015). I associate intention and intentionality with self-awareness. Understanding my own personal limitations and being receptive to what still needs to be learned. In other words, my intentions are intended by what I think is appropriate. However, intentionality may cause me to question my intentions or seek out further information or guidance before initiating an intention.
I do not find it challenging in todays’ fast paced health care setting to live the Theory as Caring. As mentioned by Boykin and Schoenhofer in their basic assumptions of their model, persons are caring by virtue of their humanness (Linette & Sherman, 2014). My ability to care for individuals has increased significantly through the years as evidenced my cultural sensitivity approach and active listening skills. Caring is more than just a skill set and bed side care, it is also the art of communicating and intervening with education and guidance. I have become a better nurse through seeking knowledge and pursing an advanced degree.
Compassion fatigue can negatively affect the outcome of the patient care when the nurse is not caring for (him)herself. The American Institute of Stress (n.d.) describes some of the symptoms of compassion fatigue as the following:
Affects many dimensions of one’s well-being
Nervous system arousal (sleep disturbance)
Emotional intensity increases
Cognitive ability decreases
Behavior and judgement impaired
Isolation and loss of morale
Depression and PTSD
Loss of self-worth and emotional modulation
Identity, worldview, and spirituality impacted
Reference
Blum, C. (2014). Practicing self-care for nurses: A nursing program initiative. The Online Journal
Of Issues in Nursing 19(3):3 doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol19No03Man03
Linette, D. & Sherman, R.O. (2014). Transforming a practice environment through
caring-based nursing leadership. Retrieved February 8, 2019 from
www.https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2013.09.014
Raines, L. (2012). What makes a great nurse? The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved
February 10, 2019 https://www.ajc.com/what-make-great-nurse/jxUqTax2R4gEcmUZ
ckRHJ/
Shirey, M. (2015). Enhance your self-awareness to be an authentic leader. American
Nurse Today 10(8). https://www.american.nursetoday.org
The American Institute of Stress, (n.d.). Transforming stress through awareness, education
and collaboration. Retrieved February 8, 2019 from
https://www.stress.org/military/for-practice-leaders/compassion-fatigue
