1. The Self-actualizing Nurse Knowing Self -- Knowing Other Susan Kleiman, PhD, RN, CS, NPP E-mail: susank@humanistic-nursing.comsusank@humanistic-nursing.com Web: www.humanistic-nursing.comwww.humanistic-nursing.com Phone:347 275-3669

2. What is self-actualization? Origins of self-actualization as it relates to nursing What are the qualities observed in the self-actualizing nurse? Balancing the agenda Becoming Self-actualized Characteristics of self-actualization

3. What is self actualization? Self-actualization is a process of emotional and moral development that contributes to the more-being and well-being of each individual. The self-actualizing nurse is one who is engaged in the process of becoming true to herself and those with whom she goes through life’s experiences.

4. Self-actualization in nursing Self-actualizing nurses: Place value on what they do as nurses and nursing as a profession Examine their own nursing experiences in order to unconceal and illuminate the essential aspects of those experiences, bringing those essential aspects into current consciousness Learn to know themselves and through that knowing know others.

5. Origins of self-actualization as it relates to nursing Josephine Paterson and Loretta Zderad introduced the idea of self-actualization into nursing some forty years ago. They made some important observations on self-actualization in their studies of the experiences of over 200 nurses.

6. Characteristics of self-actualization The values and meanings expressed by self-actualizing nurses are internally generated not externally imposed.

7. Characteristics of self-actualization Values and meaning are unconcealed and illuminated through reflection and examination of nurses experiences of being in the world and their world of nursing

8. Characteristics of self-actualization The self-actualizing nurse expresses these important values and manifests complementary behaviors in both demeanor and actions.

9. Characteristics of self-actualization Self-actualization, once experienced, becomes a continuous process of always striving to develop and achieve higher levels of excellence and gratification.

10. What are the qualities observed in the self-actualizing nurse? The presentation of the self-actualizing nurse is one of competence and confidence.

11. What are the qualities observed in the self-actualizing nurse? The attitude of the self-actualizing nurse radiates with positive vibes to her patients, families, co-workers, and community.

12. What are the qualities observed in the self-actualizing nurse? The self-actualizing nurse is a locus for high quality care and patient satisfaction.

13. What are the qualities observed in the self-actualizing nurse? The self-actualizing nurse, by her mere “presence,” makes a difference in the lives of everyone she encounters.

14. Balancing the Agenda Nurses face many challenges in the pursuit of professional growth and satisfaction. Do any of you ever ask yourself, Why did I become a nurse?

15. Balancing the Agenda Engaging in the process of self- actualization in addition to skills training and scientific knowledge acquisition can help nurses to become empowered to alleviate and overcome gross dissatisfaction and frustration with the current health care milieu and move towards nursing practice that manifests strongly held beliefs and values.

16. Take up the challenge Know thyself Reflect on your experiences and unconceal what is important to you Find your voice and use it! Re-emphasize your commitment to making a difference in the lives of others

17. Becoming self-actualized Because the concepts and modes of acquiring self-actualization are quite abstract and complex, it may be difficult, although not impossible, for a particular nurse to embark on a journey of self- actualization.

18. Self-actualization is not a solitary process Develop a community of nurses Seek out nurses to dialogue with Seek out literature on self-actualization Seek out role models Support each other in the struggle

19. Seek encouragement, support, and guidance from managers and administrators Request their support and emphasize that monitoring agencies and professional organizations are interested in what institutions are doing to support the development and satisfaction of their nurses.

20. Seek encouragement, support, and guidance from managers and administrators Point out that the literature also indicates that helping nurses to become self- actualized will have a mitigating effect on such important issues as the nursing shortage, nurses job satisfaction, and patient and nurse safety issues.

21. Seek encouragement, support, and guidance from managers and administrators There are also possibilities for educational activities sponsored by the health care institutions where you work.

22. B ecoming the most you can possibly be. Self-actualized people: -are aware and recognize their total response within themselves to a particular person in a particular here and now and are in touch with their immediate impressions or responses to reality before labeling, categorizing or judging it. -display an availability, readiness, and acceptance with receptivity to the immediate experience and its uniqueness.

23. -are reality-centered, which means they can differentiate what is fake and dishonest from what is real and genuine. -are problem-centered, meaning they treat life’s difficulties as problems demanding solutions, not as personal troubles to be railed at or surrendered to. -are inclined to believe that there is a difference between means and ends. They feel that the ends don’t necessarily justify the means, that the means could be ends themselves, and that the means -- the journey -- is often more important than the ends.

24. have an un-hostile sense of humor -- preferring to joke at their own expense, or at the human condition, and never directing their humor at others. - enjoy autonomy -display acceptance of self and others, if some quality of theirs or others is not harmful, they let it be, even enjoying it as a personal quirk. -are authentic, preferring to be themselves. -are spontaneous and prefer simplicity.

25. - display a sense of humility and respect towards others and are open to ethnic and individual variety, even treasuring it. - have a social interest and compassion for humanity accompanied by strong ethics, which is spiritual but seldom conventionally religious in nature. -have a certain freshness of appreciation, an ability to see things, even ordinary things, with wonder. -tend to be creative, inventive, and original.

26. What kind of nurse would you like to be?

27. What kind of nurse do you want to greet you or a member of your family when you are asking for help with a health related concern?

28. Copyright Notice All the materials attached hereto and contained herein are the property of Dr. Susan Kleiman. Any use of this material whatsoever without the express written consent of the copyright holder are strictly prohibited under law.