Self-Actualization in Nursing

Published

Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Can someone help me on how to achieve self-actualization in nursing following the hierarchy of needs by Abraham Maslow?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Do you want your patients to achieve self-actualization, or are you trying to figure out if nursing will lead YOU to the highest level of the pyramid?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Hi JBMmom,

This is about me as a nurse.  I am trying to figure out how I can apply the Theory of Abraham Maslow into you own life via nursing profession. I don't know how if I ca ever apply it to my patients.  If you know how, please share with me.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired from healthcare.

A lot of patients can't reach self-actualization and need to be accepted the way they are.   If one stays focused on their own self-actualization, they would then gain more and more insights to help them give good care to their patients.   They would also have more healing abilities that would come from healing themselves first.   

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
19 hours ago, S.I.C. said:

Hi JBMmom,

This is about me as a nurse.  I am trying to figure out how I can apply the Theory of Abraham Maslow into you own life via nursing profession. I don't know how if I ca ever apply it to my patients.  If you know how, please share with me.

That's a lot of self-reflection. Not a strong point of mine, I'm more of a do-er, but I admire that you're translating what I've always considered some of the fluff stuff from nursing school into something very tangible for you. Self-actualized seems synonymous with reaching the highest potential you can achieve, so I guess you could achieve that in almost any aspect of your life. I think I'll always be stuck somewhere in the- my job provides money that allows me to afford the basics in life- phase. If I'm ever independently wealthy but choose to continue in nursing because it meets my expectations for myself I guess that would indicate a level of self-actualization. Sorry if that wasn't very helpful. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 12/16/2020 at 7:30 PM, S.I.C. said:

Can someone help me on how to achieve self-actualization in nursing following the hierarchy of needs by Abraham Maslow?

You can send me your paycheck as a donation to graduate student. It has been said that the surest way to self-actualization is helping the needy. I am being facetious; however, I think you should consider doing something kind to someone you do not know. It could be paying for someone's lunch in the cafeteria line or volunteering to drive coworkers during snowstorms etc. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nurse, Community Health Nurse.

Hi cynical-RN, BSN

I don't think think that self-actualization according to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs meant to have a lot of money.

I guess a graduating student had money already to go through her education, and graduation is a luxurious event.

If I had that much, instead of sending a paycheck to a graduating student, I would send it to a homeless person, or a poor nursing student, and pay her nursing education; or else pay the debts of nursing students. In addition, If I had more money, I would create a charity fund for orphan nursing, or those nurses who have lost their jobs because of stress or COVID-19.

Can we (all nurses) in this forum contribute some money and establish a charity fund for the needy?....but not for a graduating student?

Do you really think a graduating student is a needy person?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, S.I.C. said:

Hi cynical-RN, BSN

I don't think think that self-actualization according to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs meant to have a lot of money.

I guess a graduating student had money already to go through her education, and graduation is a luxurious event.

If I had that much, instead of sending a paycheck to a graduating student, I would send it to a homeless person, or a poor nursing student, and pay her nursing education; or else pay the debts of nursing students. In addition, If I had more money, I would create a charity fund for orphan nursing, or those nurses who have lost their jobs because of stress or COVID-19.

Can we (all nurses) in this forum contribute some money and establish a charity fund for the needy?....but not for a graduating student?

Do you really think a graduating student is a needy person?

Hey S.I.C

I think you are conflating a graduate student and a graduating student. The former is a student who has completed undergraduate studies and is seeking higher learning I.e. masters, doctorate etc. whereas the latter is a student who has finished school and is awaiting graduation or licensure. I hope that clears it up for you. Nonetheless, I do agree with you that self-actualization is not about accumulation of money. It is about realizing a sense of fulfillment through kindness and generosity. To me, that comes from helping someone else as I stated earlier. You do not have to use money to reach self-actualization. You could use other resources like time which tends to be wasted albeit being irretrievable once spent. Good luck with your endeavors. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion