For over a thousand years, ever since the first nurses came to be in 300 AD, their healthcare practices have significantly evolved over the course of the years (The History of Nursing, 2018). Nurses have played an important role in the healthcare industry, and as an essential part of their modern-day practices, they must be capable of effectively communicating with patients. In the healthcare industry, communication is an integral part of nursing practice. Effective communication is a process in which sharing information occurs, either verbally, non-verbally or any other means of communication where the message is effectively received and comprehended by all parties involved. The goal of communication is to create an environment for patients …show more content…
Eckroth-Bucher (2010), defines the concept ‘self-awareness’ as a “cerebral exercise of introspection.” This particular attribute reflects on the cognitive exploration of one’s own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, behaviours, traits and motivations. The examination of one’s self is an essential part of personal growth, helping to manage oneself as well as improving performance (Rasheed, 2015). It is essential for nurses to be able to identify these triggers as they occur in the subconscious behaviour, certain looks or tones of voice can quickly convey a misinterpreted message. For some, self-awareness comes naturally, whilst others need more time and effort. Nurses lacking in self-awareness are more likely to repeat the same mistakes and voice personal opinions and beliefs on others who may not share the same morals. Awareness and capability to set aside these thoughts and feelings allow nurses to become more person-centred, develop active listening skills and build caring and therapeutic environments (Bramhall, 2014). Becoming self-aware can be achieved by different ways, self-reflection, journal writing and seeking opinions from other as well as learning about body language contributes to a better understanding of one’s self. This essentially allows nurses to identify the negative behaviours of self and change them into positive ones, resulting in a therapeutic environment for the patients (Rasheed,