Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 1Self-Awareness
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Self-awareness had been widely accepted as an important part of nurses’ repertoire of skills and has been said to be an important factor in a successful nurse-patient relationship. Eckroth-Bucher, 2006
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Learning Objectives After studying this chapter, you should be able to Define the concept, self-awareness Differentiate between external and internal factors that contribute to the development of self-awareness Describe at least two personality traits in yourself that could affect your ability to interact with clients in the clinical setting Articulate how self-awareness can be an effective tool in the clinical setting Determine whether your personal issues and concerns about your psychiatric nursing clinical experience have been resolved
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Student nurses have described psychiatric-mental health nursing as a challenging experience that provides an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Frequently Asked Questions Will the client know that I am a student nurse? How do I introduce myself? What do I wear? What if I say the wrong thing? Will I be left alone with a client? What if the client becomes violent?
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Recommendations by Student Nurses Avoid making assumptions about any client’s medical or psychiatric history. Do not hesitate to approach your clinical supervisor or a staff member with questions about your assigned client’s needs or plan of care. Discuss any feelings that you have about your clinical rotation or your assigned client with your instructor. Take time to adjust to a slower pace.
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Recommendations by Student Nurses (cont.) Do not become frustrated with a client who refuses to speak to you. Be patient with a client who requires repeated prompting to complete a task. Recognize that listening, observing, and self-awareness are important tools that you possess when providing care.
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Self-Awareness and Introspection Self-awareness refers to the ability to recognize the nature of one’s attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. Introspection, or self-reflection, prior to clinical experience in the psychiatric setting will enhance your personal and professional growth.
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Personality Traits (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) Extrovert Introvert Open-minded Judgmental Emotional stability Practicing self- awareness is an effective way to prepare for interactions with various clients in the psychiatric setting.
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Key Terms Emotionally stable Extrovert Facilitate Introspection Introvert Judgmental Open-minded Personality traits Prejudice Self-awareness Stereotyped
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Consider the quote, “It takes so much more skill to understand the human mind and emotions than it does to give a shot.” What does this mean in your role as you learn psychiatric–mental health nursing? Reflection ?