Vitality for caregivers

Hover-Kramer, Dorothea; Mabbett, Phyliss; Shames, Karilee Halo

doi:10.1097/00004650-199601000-00006

“…Burnout and low vitality have repeatedly been reported amongst nurses [ 7 - 9 ]. In this context vitality is defined as a sense of general wellbeing, optimism and flourishing, and can be considered to represent the opposite end of a spectrum to stress and burnout [ 10 ]. Low vitality and CMDs may result from a variety of workplace, organisational and individual factors [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mental health of nurses in acute teaching hospital settings: a cross-sectional survey

Perry

¹

,

Lamont

²

,

Brunero

³

et al. 2015

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BackgroundNursing is an emotionally demanding profession and deficiencies in nurses’ mental wellbeing, characterised by low vitality and common mental disorders, have been linked to low productivity, absenteeism and presenteeism. Part of a larger study of nurses’ health, the aim of this paper was to describe the mental health status and related characteristics of nurses working in two acute metropolitan teaching hospitals.MethodsA cross sectional survey design was used.The Registered and Enrolled Nurse workforce, employed on any form of contract, at two teaching hospitals in Sydney Australia were invited to participate. The survey tool was compiled of validated tools and questions. Family and medical history and health risk-related characteristics, current psycho-active medications, smoking status, alcohol intake, eating disorders, self-perceived general health, mental health and vitality, demographic, social and occupational details were collected.ResultsA total of 1215 surveys were distributed with a usable response rate of 382 (31.4%). Altogether 53 nurses (14%) reported a history of mental health disorders, of which n = 49 (13%) listed diagnoses of anxiety and/or depression; 22 (6%) were currently taking psychoactive medication. Symptoms that could potentially indicate a mental health issue were more common, with 248 (65.1%) reporting they had experienced symptoms sometimes or often in the last 12 month.Nurses had better mental health if they had better general health, lived with a spouse/ partner rather than alone, had fewer symptoms, sleep problems or disordered eating behaviours, were not an informal carer and did not work nights. Nurses had greater vitality if they were male, had better general health, fewer sleep problems or symptoms generally and lived with a spouse/ partner rather than alone; less vitality if they were an informal carer or had disordered eating.ConclusionNurses and their managers should strive to create workplaces where working practices promote nurses’ health and wellbeing, or at least are configured to minimise deleterious effects; where both nurses and their managers are aware of the potential for negative effects on the mental health of the workforce; where cultures are such that this can be discussed openly without fear of stigma or denigration.

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“…In reviewing this original paper to the findings of the current study, the concepts of altruism, natural caring, a calling, the nurse-patient relationship, commitment and authenticity are similarly described by the participants in this study. Also the characteristics of the nurses described in the articles on 'Work Excitement' (Simms et al 1990;Lickman, Simms, & Green, 1993;Savage, Simms, William, & Erbin-Roesmann, 1993), 'Positive Energy' (Hover-Kramer, Mabbett, & Shames, 1996;Mabbett, 1987), and 'Star Nurses' (Kendall, 1999) have been portrayed by the participants in this study and remain congruent with this study's findings with exemplary nurses. These concepts were typically mentioned under the headings of a 'Love of Nursing' and 'Making a Difference'.…”

Section: Exemplary Nurses In the Literaturesupporting

confidence: 80%

Being and Becoming an Exemplary Nurse - an Authentic Journey

Noble-Adams¹

0

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<p>The aims of this study were to illuminate the joint constructions of exemplary nurses and their lived experiences of being and becoming one. Inherent in being ‘exemplary’ was the notion of ‘becoming’, which involved the integration of knowledge and experiences through reflecting on the day-to-day of ‘being a nurse’. Being exemplary was not about perfection but learning from every experience and integrating these into becoming. To elucidate these phenomena, I developed a creative qualitative and participatory method informed by Guba and Lincoln’s Constructivist, and van Manen’s Human Science Approaches, underpinned by Glaser’s Emergent Philosophy. Ten exemplary nurses were recruited and interviewed three times. They also provided supplementary data such as photos, poetry and writings. This interview data was transcribed and imported into the computer programme QSR NVivo. This programme allowed for management of the raw data and facilitated coding and categorising, while remaining grounded in the whole text and its meanings. Analysis occurred through first and second level categorising and the use of writing as method. Writing became a way of knowing – assisting discovery and allowing reflection on the data in order to connect the categories and themes together in a coherent and workable whole. The above method led to the following emergent findings. The pivotal construct was Authentic Being, through living a reflective life, surrounded by the major constructs of Love of Nursing, Making a Difference, Critical Friends, Walking the Talk and Backpack patients. These constructs directed a specific and comprehensive review of both the philosophical and nursing literature. This review was not used to expand or enlarge the findings but to enlighten, illuminate and clarify. Significant philosophical ideas were extended, developed and synthesised with the findings. Noteworthy was the expansion of Heidegger’s notion of B/being: where capitalisation denotes essence and lower case symbolises the verb – to be. The use of B/being represents the merging of a person’s essence and being into one. The notion of B/being and B/becoming through time – specifically human-lived-time was also important. B/being and B/becoming exemplary was an authentic embodiment of being self with being with others – a true holistic B/being-in-the-world. The purposeful review of significant nursing theorists and the general nursing literature demonstrated that this study’s participants had attributes and skills comparable to those described and ‘called’ for. In addition, this study’s participants often went further than these descriptions, and demonstrated and exemplified a true holistic B/being – where they were more than the sum of their parts and integrated all aspects of themselves through critical reflection in order to B/be and B/become. Through synthesis of this knowledge a definition of B/being and B/being an Exemplary Nurse was developed - Exemplary nurses authentically embody being themselves – with being with others – they are B/being-in-the-world. Situated in human-lived-time they use experiences carried in their backpacks to actively ‘Be’ who they want to ‘Become’. At the spiralling intersection between past and future they use their love of nursing and critical friends to make a difference for those they care for and to walk the talk with their colleagues. The new knowledge that emerged from this research has profound implications for everyday nursing practice, undergraduate and post graduate nursing education, and for Charge Nurses and Senior Nurses, who are of vital importance as role models, mentors and critical friends. The results are significant and are important for nurses and the nursing profession and contribute to, and, advance nursing knowledge.</p>

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“…In reviewing this original paper to the findings of the current study, the concepts of altruism, natural caring, a calling, the nurse-patient relationship, commitment and authenticity are similarly described by the participants in this study. Also the characteristics of the nurses described in the articles on 'Work Excitement' (Simms et al 1990;Lickman, Simms, & Green, 1993;Savage, Simms, William, & Erbin-Roesmann, 1993), 'Positive Energy' (Hover-Kramer, Mabbett, & Shames, 1996;Mabbett, 1987), and 'Star Nurses' (Kendall, 1999) have been portrayed by the participants in this study and remain congruent with this study's findings with exemplary nurses. These concepts were typically mentioned under the headings of a 'Love of Nursing' and 'Making a Difference'.…”

Section: Exemplary Nurses In the Literaturesupporting

confidence: 80%

Being and Becoming an Exemplary Nurse - an Authentic Journey

Noble-Adams¹

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

<p>The aims of this study were to illuminate the joint constructions of exemplary nurses and their lived experiences of being and becoming one. Inherent in being ‘exemplary’ was the notion of ‘becoming’, which involved the integration of knowledge and experiences through reflecting on the day-to-day of ‘being a nurse’. Being exemplary was not about perfection but learning from every experience and integrating these into becoming. To elucidate these phenomena, I developed a creative qualitative and participatory method informed by Guba and Lincoln’s Constructivist, and van Manen’s Human Science Approaches, underpinned by Glaser’s Emergent Philosophy. Ten exemplary nurses were recruited and interviewed three times. They also provided supplementary data such as photos, poetry and writings. This interview data was transcribed and imported into the computer programme QSR NVivo. This programme allowed for management of the raw data and facilitated coding and categorising, while remaining grounded in the whole text and its meanings. Analysis occurred through first and second level categorising and the use of writing as method. Writing became a way of knowing – assisting discovery and allowing reflection on the data in order to connect the categories and themes together in a coherent and workable whole. The above method led to the following emergent findings. The pivotal construct was Authentic Being, through living a reflective life, surrounded by the major constructs of Love of Nursing, Making a Difference, Critical Friends, Walking the Talk and Backpack patients. These constructs directed a specific and comprehensive review of both the philosophical and nursing literature. This review was not used to expand or enlarge the findings but to enlighten, illuminate and clarify. Significant philosophical ideas were extended, developed and synthesised with the findings. Noteworthy was the expansion of Heidegger’s notion of B/being: where capitalisation denotes essence and lower case symbolises the verb – to be. The use of B/being represents the merging of a person’s essence and being into one. The notion of B/being and B/becoming through time – specifically human-lived-time was also important. B/being and B/becoming exemplary was an authentic embodiment of being self with being with others – a true holistic B/being-in-the-world. The purposeful review of significant nursing theorists and the general nursing literature demonstrated that this study’s participants had attributes and skills comparable to those described and ‘called’ for. In addition, this study’s participants often went further than these descriptions, and demonstrated and exemplified a true holistic B/being – where they were more than the sum of their parts and integrated all aspects of themselves through critical reflection in order to B/be and B/become. Through synthesis of this knowledge a definition of B/being and B/being an Exemplary Nurse was developed - Exemplary nurses authentically embody being themselves – with being with others – they are B/being-in-the-world. Situated in human-lived-time they use experiences carried in their backpacks to actively ‘Be’ who they want to ‘Become’. At the spiralling intersection between past and future they use their love of nursing and critical friends to make a difference for those they care for and to walk the talk with their colleagues. The new knowledge that emerged from this research has profound implications for everyday nursing practice, undergraduate and post graduate nursing education, and for Charge Nurses and Senior Nurses, who are of vital importance as role models, mentors and critical friends. The results are significant and are important for nurses and the nursing profession and contribute to, and, advance nursing knowledge.</p>

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Vitality for caregivers

Cited by 12 publications

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The mental health of nurses in acute teaching hospital settings: a cross-sectional survey

The mental health of nurses in acute teaching hospital settings: a cross-sectional survey

Being and Becoming an Exemplary Nurse - an Authentic Journey

Being and Becoming an Exemplary Nurse - an Authentic Journey

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