An Integrative Literature Review on Self-awareness Education/Training Programs in the Nursing Area

Abstract

Purpose: This paper is a review of interventions designed to promote self-awareness in the nursing area. The specific purpose was to analyze the general characteristics of self-awareness intervention studies, intervention contents, and the effects of the studies in order to present basic information for developing self-awareness interventions in the nursing area. Methods: Using "nurse/nursing" and "self-awareness" as key words, the researchers searched six electronic databases. The method proposed by Whittemore and Knafl was used. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. The most common research design was quasi-experimental. Nine quasi-experimental studies (52.9%), 7 qualitative studies (41.2%), and 1 mixed methodology study (5.9%) were analyzed. Most studies used group intervention and student nurses as participants. The interventions were revealed to be effective in enhancing participants' self-awareness. The reflection method was used in most intervention approaches. Conclusion: To provide therapeutic nursing care, having self-awareness is important. Future research with well-designed clinical trials applying self-awareness intervention needs to be conducted to enhance self-awareness in the nursing area.

Development and Testing of a Measure of Self-awareness Among Nurses

“…The core finding is that nurses apply and use self-awareness in clinical practice in a moderate manner, and the levels of self-awareness are positively associated with their age and years of clinical and educational experiences. This finding is consistent with the previous literature that clinical experiences and the application of learning gained from previous experiences enhance nurses’ self-awareness (Han & Kim, 2016; Younas et al, 2019). Despite the significant role of, need for, and use of therapeutic self in clinical settings (Jack & Miller, 2008; Ramvi, 2015; Han & Kim, 2016), the nurses in this study had moderate levels of self-awareness.…”

“…Possibly, the situation at the global level is similar. Han and Kim (2016) identified that most educational and professional development interventions on self-awareness include students as the target groups. Given this, it is noteworthy to highlight the need for a greater focus on self-awareness of nurses in practice settings.…”

“…Greater self-awareness enhances nurses’ abilities to effectively care for patients and their families. With greater self-awareness in the four outlined aspects, nurses could become more authentic and relational in nursing situations, become more approachable to their patients and co-workers, and open to receive constructive criticism that improves their nurse-nurse interactions and nurse–patient relationships (Jack & Miller, 2008; Han & Kim, 2016). Therefore, nurses should continuously strive to enhance their self-awareness and use their awareness of nurse–patient interactions to provide contextual and patient-centered care.…”

Self‐awareness in nursing: A scoping review

“…Becoming self‐aware does not only help nurses in developing a therapeutic and interpersonal relationship, but also enable them to improve their critical thinking and clinical decision‐making skills (Han & Kim, ; Jack & Smith, ). It also helps nurses to determine their roles and responsibilities in a given situation and discern appropriate nursing actions.…”

The development and implementation of a model to facilitate self-care of the professional nurses caring for critically ill patients

“…The first step towards self-care is becoming resilient. It involves an objective examination of oneself through introspection by ensuring that an individual knows own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, behaviours, and feedback from others [ 33 , 34 ].…”