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Caring for self for nursing leaders: Climbing to the mountain peak

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Date Issued:
2006
Summary:
The nursing leader's challenging position in today's work environment may lead to an experience of stress, over-commitment, and overdoing. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the meaning of caring for self by registered nurse leaders who had participated in a caring for self project in a community hospital setting. This group of 10 nursing leaders had participated in a caring for self project and had experience in nursing ranging from 18 to 32 years. One year after taking part in the caring for self project the 10 nursing leaders participated in individual taped interviews to explore the meaning of caring for self. Hermeneutic phenomenology (van Manen, 1990) was the method used for the interpretation of this research study. The depth of the lived experience of caring for self was described by each nursing leader. A metaphor of climbing a mountain to the peak of wisdom, being on the path and staying on the path regarding care of self, came from the words of the participants. In their words, the leaders communicate four common themes: Reflections on the Journey, Why Care for Self on the Journey, How to Care for Self on the Journey, and the Wisdom Learned Along the Path. Based on their reflections, recommendations include implementing creative ways to encourage care of self are for the hospital environment and educational methods to reinforce care of self for nurse leaders in the educational curriculum. A focus on care of self described by the leaders in this study may improve personal health, add to personal growth, assist in communication skills, allow for role modeling care of self to others, support setting priorities and boundaries, contribute to flexibility, and promote a work-life balance. These qualities would assist in creating a positive work environment and may influence the retention of nurses and contribute to recruiting new nursing leaders. Caring for self by nursing leaders is an important way for caring nursing theory to be brought to the practice setting. By role modeling a work-life balance nursing leaders bring the circle of caring out to others, beginning with care of self.
Title: Caring for self for nursing leaders: Climbing to the mountain peak.
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Name(s): Brown, Cynthia J.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Chase, Susan, Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2006
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 161 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The nursing leader's challenging position in today's work environment may lead to an experience of stress, over-commitment, and overdoing. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the meaning of caring for self by registered nurse leaders who had participated in a caring for self project in a community hospital setting. This group of 10 nursing leaders had participated in a caring for self project and had experience in nursing ranging from 18 to 32 years. One year after taking part in the caring for self project the 10 nursing leaders participated in individual taped interviews to explore the meaning of caring for self. Hermeneutic phenomenology (van Manen, 1990) was the method used for the interpretation of this research study. The depth of the lived experience of caring for self was described by each nursing leader. A metaphor of climbing a mountain to the peak of wisdom, being on the path and staying on the path regarding care of self, came from the words of the participants. In their words, the leaders communicate four common themes: Reflections on the Journey, Why Care for Self on the Journey, How to Care for Self on the Journey, and the Wisdom Learned Along the Path. Based on their reflections, recommendations include implementing creative ways to encourage care of self are for the hospital environment and educational methods to reinforce care of self for nurse leaders in the educational curriculum. A focus on care of self described by the leaders in this study may improve personal health, add to personal growth, assist in communication skills, allow for role modeling care of self to others, support setting priorities and boundaries, contribute to flexibility, and promote a work-life balance. These qualities would assist in creating a positive work environment and may influence the retention of nurses and contribute to recruiting new nursing leaders. Caring for self by nursing leaders is an important way for caring nursing theory to be brought to the practice setting. By role modeling a work-life balance nursing leaders bring the circle of caring out to others, beginning with care of self.
Identifier: 9780542579813 (isbn), 12202 (digitool), FADT12202 (IID), fau:9109 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Thesis (D.N.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2006.
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Subject(s): Nursing--United States--Psychological aspects
Nurses--Conduct of life
Nursing--Philosophy
Self-efficacy
Burn out (Psychology)--Prevention
Stress management
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12202
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.