Importance of Self Awareness in Psychiatric Nursing

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Leadership

In order to be a good leader one needs to be a role model. A role model is defined as “a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated” (Oxford Dictionary, 2010). This is important is psychiatric nursing because clients look up to you and might attempt to base their idea of normal behaviours off of your behaviour. Another component of being a good leader is the ability to react accordingly. “When the nurse fails to introspect, he or she reacts and projects onto the client the nurse's own awakened anxiety while failing to see what part belongs to self” (Scheick , 2011). This quote is another example of how counter transference can occur. A nurse needs to be aware of their reaction to everything thus stressing self-awareness. “Nursing has been described as an interpersonal process in which the verbal and non-verbal messages that pass between two people affect each other” (Oflaz, Meriç, Yuksel, Ozcan, 2011). Because so many messages are transferred in communication it is important as a leader to maintain a positive attitude. The combination of positivity, proper reaction, and being a role model are important components that create a good leader. All of the components play a role in being self-aware.

Conclusion

Maintaining complete self-awareness takes practice. But it is paramount to develop in psychiatric nursing as it becomes a responsibility. It requires caring comprised of being genuine, empathetic, and tolerant as well as being aware of thoughts and feelings to ultimately be mindful. Finally reacting accordingly, being positive, and being a role model to become a leader. “Developing self-awareness helps us to be less of a victim and enables us to take control and responsibility for situations” (Jack, 2008). The responsibility of self-awareness is critical in the therapeutic relationship and every nurse should take care to look inward and be self-aware.

References

Jack,Kirsten (2008). Exploring self-awareness in mental health practice. Mental Health Practice

12, 3, 31-35, RCN Publishing Company

Oflaz,F.; Meriç, M.; Yuksel,Ç.; Ozcan,C.T. (2011). Psychodrama: An innovative way of

improving self‐awareness of nurses. J.Psychiatr.Ment.Health Nurs. 18, 7, 569-575, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom

Patterson,Christopher; Curtis,Janette; Reid,Amanda (2008). Skills, knowledge, and attitudes

expected of a newly-graduated mental health nurse in an inpatient setting. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 17, 6, 410-418, Wiley-Blackwell

Scheick,Dawn, M. (2011). Developing Self-Aware Mindfulness to Manage Countertransference

in the Nurse-Client Relationship: an Evaluation and Developmental Study. J.Prof.Nurs., 27, 2, 114-123

Austin, Boyd (2008) Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing for Canadian Practice. Philadelphia,

Lippincott Williams & Wilkings

"empathy". Oxford Dictionaries. April 2010. Oxford University Press. Retrieved December 11,

2012, from http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english/empathy

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