Self-Care for Nurses: Protecting our Energy Field
Graduation Date
1-2008
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Nursing
Department or Program Chair
Barbara Ganley, PhD
Thesis Advisor
Colleen Kemp, RN, MSN
Abstract
In order to balance the taxing nature of nursing as a profession, nurses need to learn and perform self-care practices. A report on nurses’ perceptions of themselves as healers showed that nurses do not practice self-care or encounter therapeutic interactions enough to sustain themselves in their stressful work environments (Brathovde, 2006). Therefore, they are unable to protect themselves from the detrimental effects of a toxic environment (Brathovde, 2006). When nurses fail to care for themselves in the face of loss and grief, the care they provide may be compromised (Sherman, 2004). The purpose of this study is to determine what self-care practices nurses use to protect themselves energetically.
This research is exploratory, using a descriptive study design for a qualitative approach. The population of study is health care providers who have direct patient contact on a regular basis and who have experience with energetic self care. A total of nine people responded to the survey. Eight are practicing nurses, one is an alternative care practitioner. Eight are female, one male. Respondents ranged in age from 30 to 68 years old. Years in practice ranged from 3 years to over 35 years. There were no significant differences attributed to the age of the respondent or years in practice. Burnout among nurses and other caregivers continues to be a problem, and it appears ihat the participants in this study agree that the energetic implications of care may play a part. It follows to say that the protection of the energy field may then protect caregivers from the effects of burnout. Self-care was verified as an important part of protecting oneself and avoiding burnout.