Revised Fall 2016

Self-Care Journey Guiding Documents

NSE 417/418

Nursing students are taught to care for others well, but they often fail to care for
themselves. Requiring self-care is an effective way to encourage student to nurture and
care for themselves, while they learn to care for others (Stark, Manning-Walsh & Vliem,
2005, p. 270).

According to the Canadian Nurses Association (2008) a persons state of being well,
content and able to make the most of his or her abilities (p. 28) is important in the
provision of safe, effective and ethical care. Nurses who engage in self-care are being
accountable and answerable by maintaining their fitness to practice (CNA, 2008, p. 18).

Those who seek to improve the quality of their lives do so in order to see the impact on
the quality of their products, services and organizations (Covey, 1991).

The following documents are provided to support you in creating your own self-care
routine during fourth year. The theme of this year is Professional Self. As you transition
from a nursing student to a professional the incorporation of self-care into your daily
routine will support your holistic journey.

Your self-care routine should be a part of each of the semesters in fourth year. Choose a
goal and work towards maintaining it throughout NSE 417 and NSE 418. Document your
journey and how it impacts your nursing practice. Add this journey into your portfolio
and share it with your faculty advisor in your final evaluation meeting at the end of the
semester.

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Preparation for your self-care journey:

Students in NSE 417/418 are to consider many methods of self-care. From these, identify
one that is both accessible and interesting. Develop a plan to incorporate this method of
self-care into the semester schedule a minimum of six times.

During the semester:

Complete the Self-Assessment attached below before you begin.
Keep a journal of the attempts at incorporating self-care into the schedule.
Consider: Was the attempt to incorporate self-care successful? If so, what made it
successful, document this in the journal. If not, what hindered the attempt? If
successful at incorporating self-care, how did it make you feel?
Do you believe it impacted your clinical practice? Describe.

Furthermore:
Reflect upon the journal kept throughout the semester.
Reflect upon the strategy chosen, did it support your self-care, is there another
strategy you would choose in the future? Explain the desire to change.
Consider what environmental/personal/time related/financial factors supported the
ability to engage in, or hindered, self-care?
When presenting your analysis of the information support this with a nursing
theory and other applicable theoretical foundations (i.e. Health & wellness, Well-
being, Burnout, Caring).

Journal #1: Physical

Similar to my prior self-care assessment, I continued to work out atleast three
times a week at the Ryerson gym or Goodlife Fitness. I often go with friends, which was
therapeutic as I enjoy their company. Going the gym has always been an enjoyable stress
relief from school and placement. During the end of the semester, it was difficult to go
three times, and reset my goal to twice a week. It was difficult because of school, going
to placement 3-4x a week and focusing on the NCLEX. Regardless, this continues to be
my main method of self-care. It impacted my clinical practice because it reduces burn-out
from school.

Journal #2: Emotions

My goal was to improve my ability to explore creative possibilities and also read
a broad range of subjects. I focused on learning about world issues, and reading the daily
news from CBC news & Toronto Sun. I planned to do this on my subway ride to
placement. I felt that I was successful in doing it atleast twice a week, but would like to
do it every day. What hindered me is the time to spare to read other subjects. This type of
self-care made me feel more connected with issues in Toronto, and the world. Knowing
about it, also made me engage in thought-provoking conversations with families, and
staff in the nursing home.

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Journal #3: Spirit

To feel connectedness with the world, and the importance of my existence, I
created a personal journal when I felt competent at my placement. I wrote down how and
why I was important, and how nursing has made this impact in my life. On the days that I
did not feel competent, I would read my personal journal to remind myself my
importance. This impacted my clinical practice as I refrained from being negative, and
tried to improve my skills the next day.

Journal #4 Relationships
This was an area I continued to incorporate daily. I often have difficulty initiating
conversations, and planning time to see friends and family. This semester, It was even
more difficult due to the demands of placement and school. However, I made sure to
communicate my friends via text daily. I would initiate conversations, and update them
with my life. I remained open and honest with my friends, and that helped with my
stressors because I was able to express my fears, ultimately, relieving anxiety from
graduating. It has impacted my clinical practice as I knew that if I was not successful, or
not having a good day, it will not define me. I know that my friends will be there to
comfort me, and push me to overcome my challenges.

Journal #5 Choices
I planned to stick to my decisions, and be clear with my decisions as well. I
incorporated this in my placement. I was actively engaged in learning about geriatric
nursing, and the residents individual needs. As weeks went by at placement, I
independently made decisions that was within my scope of practice. This helped me build
my confidence, and be able to be clear with my decisions. The feeling of competence,
and being able to successfully provide care from my decision made me feel positive with
my self-image and improved my self-care.

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Self-Assessment

Adapted with permission from: Body-Mind-Spirit Interrelationships. Resource: Self-care:

A Program to Improve Your Life by L. Keegan and B. Dossey. (1987)

Physical

Where I am Almost Always Sometimes Almost never How I want it

now to be
Assess my 2 1 0 1
general health
daily
Exercise 3 to 5 2 1 0 2
times a week
for 20 min.
Eat nutritious 2 1 0 1
foods daily
Play without 2 1 0 2
guilt
Practice 2 1 0 1
relaxation daily
Energy level is 2 1 0 2
effective for
daily activities
Do not smoke 2 1 0 2
Drink in 2 1 0 2
moderation
Have regular 2 1 0 2
physical &
dental check-
ups
Balance my 2 1 0 2
work life with
my personal
life
Physical score> 11 Score 17

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Mental

Where I am Almost Always Sometimes Almost never How I want it

now to be
Am open & 2 1 0 2
receptive to
new ideas &
life patterns
Read a broad 2 1 0 1
range of
subjects
Am interested 2 1 0 2
in &
knowledgeable
about many
topics
Use my 2 1 0 1
imagination in
considering
new choices or
possibilities
Prioritize my 2 1 0 2
work & set
realistic goals
Enjoy 2 1 0 1
developing new
skills & talents
Ask for 2 1 0 2
suggestions &
help when I
need it
Mental score > 7 Score 11

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Emotions

Where I am Almost Always Sometimes Almost How I want it

now never to be
Assess & 2 1 0 2
recognize my
own feelings
Have a non- 2 1 0 2
judgemental
attitude
Express my 2 1 0 2
feelings in
appropriate
ways
Include my 2 1 0 1
feelings when
making
decisions
Can remember 2 1 0 2
& acknowledge
most events of
my childhood
including
painful as well
as happy ones
Listen & 2 1 0 2
respect the
feelings of
others
Recognize my 2 1 0 1
intuition
Listen to inner 2 1 0 2
self-talk
Emotions score> 12 score

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Spirit

Where I am Almost Always Sometimes Almost never How I want it

now to be
Operate from 2 1 0 1
the perspective
that life has
value, meaning
& direction
Know at some 2 1 0 1
level a
connection with
the universe
Know some 2 1 0 0
Power greater
than myself
Feel a part of 2 1 0 2
life & living
frequently
Recognize that 2 1 0 2
the different
roles of my life
are expressions
of my true self
Know how to 2 1 0 1
create balance
& feel a sense
of
connectedness
Know that life 2 1 0 2
is important, &
I make a
difference
Spirit score > 8 Score 9

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Relationships

Where I am Almost Always Sometimes Almost never How I want it

now to be
I share my 2 1 0 2
opinions &
feelings without
seeking the
approval of
others or
fearing
outcomes
Create & 2 1 0 2
participate in
satisfying
relationships
Sexuality is 2 1 0 2
part of my
relationship
Have a balance 2 1 0 2
between my
work & family
life
Am clear in 2 1 0 2
expressing my
needs & desires
Am open & 2 1 0 2
honest with
people without
fearing
consequences
Do my part in 2 1 0 2
establishing &
maintaining
relationships
Focus on 2 1 0 2
positive topics
in relationships
Relationship 13 Score 16
score >

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Choices

Where I am Almost Always Sometimes Almost never How I want it

now to be
Manage my 2 1 0 2
time to meet
my personal
goals
Am committed 2 1 0 2
& disciplined
whenever I take
on a new
project
Follow through 2 1 0 2
& work on
decisions with
clarity & action
steps
Am usually 2 1 0 2
clear on
decisions
Take risks 2 1 0 1
Can accept 2 1 0 1
circumstances
that are beyond
my control
Take on no 2 1 0 1
more new tasks
than I can
successfully
handle
Recognize short 2 1 0 2
comings of
people &
events for what
they are
Choices score> 9 Score 13

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The Meaning of the Tallied Scores

Scores of 14 to 20:
Congratulations! Your score shows that you are aware of the important areas of your life.
You are using your knowledge to work for you by practicing good life patterns that
reflect health and balance. As long as you continue with high scores, you will be
maximizing your human potential. You are a good model of health to family and friends.
Since your score is high in this area move to other areas where scores are low and
identify areas for improvement.

Scores of 10 to 13
Your life pattern in this area is good, but there is room for improvement. Reflect on the
Sometimes or Almost Never, answers. What could you do to change your score? Even
the slightest change can make a difference to improve the quality of your life.

Scores of 6 to 9
Your life stressors are showing. You need more information about these important life
areas and what changes you can make.

Scores of 0 to 5
Your life is full of unnecessary stress. You are not taking good care of yourself. You need
to take some time and learn principles of self-care.

When you finish this exercise you have a composite picture not only of where you are
now, but where you want to go. ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

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Resources

Canadian Nurses Association. (2008). Code of ethics. Author.

Covey, S. R. (1991). Principle-centered leadership. New York, N.Y: Summit.

Dossey, B. M., Keegan, L., Guzzetta, C. E. & Kolkmeier, L. G. (1988) Holistic nursing:

A handbook for practice. Rockville, MD: Aspen Publishers, Inc.

Stark, M. A., Manning-Walsh, J., & Vliem, S. (2005), Caring for self while learning to

care for others: A challenge for nursing students. Journal of Nursing Education,

44(6), 266-270.

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