Self-Awareness In Nursing

Effective communication is one of the most fundamental tools of the nursing practice. Communication involves two parties the conveyor and the recipient, in which information is exchanged through personal and interpersonal mediums (verbal and non-verbal forms), allowing the message conveyed to be received and understood. Ultimately effective communication in healthcare reduces barriers constructed by language and cultural differences etc, creating a safe environment for the client in which they can actively participate in positive health-related behaviours. This explanatory synthesis will explore the concept of self- awareness in relation to therapeutic communication and how it significantly influences nurse-client rapports. It will also

Why? Because we cannot help other people until we are a bit clearer about ourselves' (Burnard 1992). This quotation highlights the importance of self-awareness in therapeutic communication and how it allows nurses to perform better overall patient care. Self-awareness is one of the most imperative components in nurse-client rapport and involves the process of objective scrutiny of oneself (Rasheed, 2015, p. 211). It reflects the exploration of one's thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, approaches and values (Bibi, 2016). In healthcare, nurses are constantly interacting with individuals who may not share the same characteristics, therefore, it's very important to recognise these differences in order to successfully develop a therapeutic alliance which will lead to a healthy therapeutic relationship (Rasheed, 2015, p. 213 - 214). Nurses that don't take into consideration self-awareness tend to project personal opinions and beliefs onto those who may not share the same values. (Rasheed, 2015, Bibi, 2016) Therefore, being aware and staying neutral will allow nurses to be person-centred, participating in active listening and having mutual understanding. Reflection is an important aspect of self-awareness and allows health professionals to look back and analyse practices, identifying which aspects need further development (Rasheed, 2015, p. 214, Bibi 2016). Generally, by understanding one's own

The health professional must show empathy, mindfulness and respect while demonstrating active listening. They must remain non-judgmental, providing care that is genuine and honest. This allows them to understand the physical and emotional needs of the patient, which ultimately leads to the right diagnosis and treatment. By the use of positive verbal and non-verbal communication, such as eye contact, gestures, tone of voice and keeping the language relative to the patient, health professionals are able to engage with the patient to find out necessary information (Boose 2018). In regards to written communication, it is essential that the health professional is clear and concise while using relevant and simple language for the patient.

In conclusion, this synthesis has explored the vitalness of therapeutic communication in improving patient-centred care. Through being more aware of one's self, using positive verbal/non-verbal language, active listening, showing empathy and building a trusting and respectful relationship, a nurse is able to create a healing therapeutic environment for the patient, leading to positive experiences and outcomes for each party