Chapter 2 The Student Nurse as a Person

Chapter 2 The Student Nurse as a Person

OBJECTIVES � 1. Name the five levels of human needs described by Maslow. � 2. Identify at least six factors that should enhance your personal health. � 3. Describe several personal characteristics that contribute to maintaining good mental and emotional health. � 4. Explain the role of socializing and recreation in developing positive physical and mental health. � 5. Describe your personal values and beliefs related to health. � 6. Listen respectfully to the views and opinions of others. � 7. Recognize your own physical and mental limits and live within those boundaries. � 8. Use a systematic plan to solve problems. � 9. Use your understanding of workplace competencies and foundational skills in planning your career. � 10. Develop and maintain a career portfolio.

Human Needs � Five categories of human needs identified by Maslow: Physiologic-O 2, food, H 2 O, rest, elimination. Safety and security-shelter, freedom from harm Love and belonging-affection, feelings of belong. Self-esteem and recognition-to be well thought of by oneself, as well as by others Fulfillment-self-actualization (self-fulfilled, learn) � Categories are ordered from simple to complex

Human Needs �Meeting basic needs is necessary for survival �Knowing your needs and how to satisfy them is critical to being able to care for others �You are a role model for your patients

Your Physical Health and Well-Being DEFINITION: �Physical health is the absence of disease, pain, or abnormal conditions. �Physical health is constantly changing as it adapts. �Preventing problems is best way to ensure good health. �Minimize health problems through regular physical examinations and dental checkups.

Your Physical Health and Well-Being Diet �Daily performance is directly affected by what you eat or don’t eat �Start each day with a balanced breakfast �Avoid snacks with high sugar content �Learn your ideal weight and maintain it �Avoid crash diets and diets that exclude variety �Follow USDA and HHS guidelines for diet and activity

2010 Dietary Guidelines �USDA (United States Department of Agriculture & HHS (U. S. Department of Human Services) �Issue 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans �Recommend a diet that is energy based and nutrient dense �Plant, dairy, seafood-based diet �Reduce sugars, solid fats, refined grains

Your Physical Health and Well-Being Rest and Exercise � As a student you may require more rest and must have mental alertness and physical endurance. � Restful deep sleep is better than tense light sleep. � To ensure quality sleep: − Relax before going to bed − Avoid eating or drinking before retiring − Sleep in a comfortable bed − Adjust temperature and ventilation

Your Physical Health and Well-Being � Take scheduled rest breaks to increase endurance Nap, reduce, or eliminate physical and mental activity � Plan a scheduled program of specific exercise to help keep the body working efficiently Use full range of body activities Select a sport or exercise that matches or slightly exceeds your ability

Your Physical Health and Well-Being Oral Hygiene and Dental Health �Keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh �Regular dental checkups uncover problems Personal Hygiene �Cleanliness affects your image and may affect susceptibility to infection or disease

Your Physical Health and Well-Being � Basic personal care: Skin Hair Hands and nails � Follow policies regarding: Makeup and hair styles Fragrances Nail length and polish

Your Physical Health and Well-Being Clothing and Uniforms �First impressions are often lasting impressions. �A uniform is a symbol of your vocation. Posture �Good posture improves your appearance, performance, and energy level. �Hold your body straight and relaxed �Body language reflects how you feel physically, how you feel about yourself, and how you feel about others.

Your Physical Health and Well-Being Smoking �Smoking is bad for your health. �Smoke is an irritant in air or on clothes and for some patients the smell is contraindicated. �Nurses who smoke give unspoken approval to the habit. �Robert Wood Johnson foundation program focused on helping nurses to stop smoking.

Your Physical Health and Well-Being Chemical Dependence �Use and abuse can lead to loss of family, job, and self -respect �Illegal use or possession can also be cause for denying, suspending, or revoking a nursing license. �High rate of drug and alcohol abuse among nurses �Rehabilitation programs for nurses

Your Physical Health and Well-Being Personal Illness �Avoid contaminating the clinical environment, or exposing coworkers and patients to transmissible diseases. Sexually Transmitted Infections �Nurses provide health information to others. �Education is the best method to control these diseases �Learn accurate scientific information to promote good health for yourself and others.

Your Emotional Health �Nurses must be mentally and emotionally healthy in order to provide compassionate care. �Mentally and emotionally healthy people effectively cope with pressures and stresses. �How stressors are handled determines the state of one’s mental health. �Mental health is evident in interactions with others. �Mental health influences success in life and work.

Your Emotional Health �Mentally healthy students: See a need to act and act responsibly Can act independently Ask questions and request help Take problems as they are Accept constructive criticism Keep an open, analytical mind

Your Emotional Health See positive side and work to promote it Are open, caring, and friendly Respect peers, supervisors, and other team members �Working to maintain your mental health includes: Understanding yourself Assessing your personality Examining your values, beliefs, and prejudices Learning to cope effectively with stress

Your Emotional Health Understanding Yourself �Look at yourself objectively �Know that you need to understand yourself before you can help others �Limit your self-concerns during the workday �Developing self-awareness is a life-long process

Your Emotional Health Personality �Collection of behaviors and attitudes that sets one person apart from others. �Develops gradually both consciously and unconsciously �Is a way of adapting to circumstances and environment �Is not character �Your personality interacts with others’ personalities

Your Emotional Health �To change personality traits Study yourself as though you were someone else Use others as role models Get input from others you respect Personal Values and Beliefs �As a nurse you will come into contact with people from differing backgrounds. �Nurses must accept individual differences regardless of opinion.

Your Emotional Health �To be effective, examine yourself for prejudices that might compromise how much and what kind of care you should provide. Prejudice �Attitude of those who reject other’s differences in favor of their own values �Is a learned behavior �Nurses must incorporate cultural sensitivity in nursing practice to enhance communication.

Your Emotional Health Stress �A condition of tension between two forces �Not all stress is harmful �Types of stress Physical Psychological Economic Social

Your Emotional Health �Requires a response �Produces a bodily reaction �Most effective way to control stress is to release tension before it gets out of hand. �May require professional counseling

Your Emotional Health Relaxation �Manage stress using combined physical and mental relaxation �Dealing with tension may include: Progressive relaxation techniques Guided imagery Group sessions to share experiences Developing a plan of self-care

Your Emotional Health Problem Solving �Poor problem-solving skills lead to frustrations, low self-esteem, and feelings of inadequacy. �Apply characteristics of critical thinkers �Use a system to solve problems: −Understand the problem −Determine the cause −Select solution and take action −Evaluate results

Your Career Skills for Career Development �Career planning must begin well before graduation �Employers are looking for employees who have: Clinical skills Foundation skills Workplace competencies Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds Ability to use resources, computers, and equipment

Your Career Continuing Education �Planned learning occurring after formal certificate or degree program �May be required to renew nursing license in some states Career Plans �A well-thought-out written plan describing goals and time frames for meeting them �A plan provides a clear focus

Your Career Portfolios �A collection of documents showcasing performance and accomplishments over time �Keeping a portfolio is an ongoing activity �Keep the portfolio up-to-date �Divide portfolio into four sections:

Portfolios �Section 1: resume, letters of reference, licenses, certifications, letters of commendation �Section 2: list by date, of all continuing education activities �Section 3: school or nursing related activities (HOSA) �Section 4: miscellaneous information (immunization record, blood tests)

Question �Is the following statement true or false? You can minimize health problems through regular physical examinations and dental checkups.

Answer �True �Rationale: Catching problems early can reduce the severity of a health problem in the future.

Question �To ensure quality sleep: A. B. C. D. Exercise before going to bed Drink hot chocolate before retiring Sleep in a comfortable bed Turn up the heat and close all the windows

Answer �C. Sleep in a comfortable bed �Rationale: Preparing for sleep includes relaxing, avoiding food or drink before bedtime, adjusting temperature, and ventilation to your preference.

Question �Is the following statement true or false? Mentally healthy students always act responsibly and independently.

Answer �False �Rationale: Mentally healthy students will act responsibly and independently if the duty is clearly theirs or willingly under the direction of others when asked. They will ask questions and request for help.

Question �The best time to begin a career plan is: A. B. C. D. After you have gained work experience Before you graduate After you decide on a specialty area In 5 years

Answer �B. Before you graduate �Rationale: It is important to begin your career plan before graduation because those who have the most rewarding careers and who get the jobs they really want are those who have planned ahead.