Self-Awareness and Communication in Nursing: A Diversity Essay

This essay delves into the critical intersection of communication, diversity, and self-awareness within the nursing profession. It begins by introducing the significance of understanding self-constructs, particularly in the context of caring for patients with conditions like dementia and delirium. The es...Read More

Running head: COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSITY
COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSITY
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1COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSITY
Introduction and significance:
The risk of Delirium and Dementia increases with age. Older people are more vulnerable
to developing these conditions that primarily includes learning disabilities and cognitive
impairment. These conditions often led to depression and other health complications if not
controlled or proper treatment is given.
Delirium is characterized by a disorganized pattern of thinking and the inability to think
and perceive in a logical way. Delirium is usually caused due to adverse effects of drugs,
infections or other diseases. Dementia is characterized by memory loss that contributes to the
patient’s inability to function properly and independently. They could only remember short
glimpses and often miss out important points. As a result of this, they are not able to think
properly and become distressed on realizing their inability to respond accurately (Dewing and
Dijk 2016). Nurses should recognize their role and involve in delivering quality care to the
dementia parents and also develop their skills while taking care of the dementia patients by
showing compassion, empathy and the core qualities to value and deliver care to the patients for
an improved outcome (Rasheed, 2015).
Conflict between private and public self:
Nurses are responsible to take care of the patient and deliver them quality care. They
possess a great deal of knowledge and expertise, however, the public does not always value and
respect the competencies and skills the nurse have acquired by experience and education.
Self-understanding is a fundamental aspect to communication. In order to improve
therapeutic communication the nurses must first understand themselves through self-assessment

2COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSITY
(Rasheed, 2015). By creating self-awareness and self-realization, the nurses can improve
therapeutic relationship for an enhanced patient health outcome. Johari window model is used to
enhance self-awareness and self-perception that opens up the lines of communication and helps
in creating a better relationship with others. The 4 quadrants of the Johari window shows that
there are certain things that an individual does not know about themselves but others know about
them, this will help the nurses to gather knowledge and know about themselves from the
perception of others (Morrison, 2004). The window also shows that there exist certain things that
an individual knows about themselves but others does not. These parameters will help in
acquiring knowledge about themselves, know their strengths and letting other people to know
them. It will be easier for the nurses to handle and deliver the appropriate and accurate care to
the patients if they understand themselves first. Knowing one’s strength will enhance the ability
to communicate properly with the patients that will increase the health outcomes of the patient
(Morrison, 2004). The Johari Window can serve as a central instrument to establish a culture of
open communication that will encourage continuous development of the open self or open area
by making it safe and comfortable for others to share information thereby decreasing the gap
between nurse and patient communication (Rasheed, Younas, and Sundus 2019). A strong nurse
patient relationship should be maintained through therapeutic communication to facilitate high
quality nursing care. Communicating affectionately, identifying their strengths and showing
appreciation, a welcoming gesture and cooperative attitude can help them feel respected and
valued that will automatically increase the patient health outcome (Rasheed, 2015).

3COMMUNICATION AND DIVERSITY
Implications for nursing practice:
The nurses should understand and consider the patient’s mental and physical condition
and deliver quality care to the patients. They should treat the patients with dignity and value their
decisions and preferences. The patients suffering from dementia and delirium should be handled
carefully. The nurses should interact and communicate in a way so as to build trust and rapport
with the patient (Rasheed, 2015). They should show appreciation and welcome gestures to make
the patient comfortable. Nurses should work on their communication skills and their attitude
towards improving the health of the dementia and delirium patients. Nurses should empower and
master their knowledge of understanding the behavior of these patients to facilitate accurate
assessment and intervention for an improved health outcome (Rasheed, Younas, and Sundus
2019).

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References:
Dewing, J. and Dijk, S., 2016. What is the current state of care for older people with dementia in
general hospitals? A literature review. Dementia, 15(1), pp.106-124.
Morrison, J., 2004. Understanding others by understanding the self: neurobiological models of
empathy and their relevance to personality disorders. The Canadian child and adolescent
psychiatry review, 13(3), p.68.
Rasheed, S.P., 2015. Self-Awareness as a Therapeutic Tool for Nurse/Client Relationship.
International journal of caring sciences, 8(1).
Rasheed, S.P., Younas, A. and Sundus, A., 2019. Self‐awareness in nursing: A scoping review.
Journal of clinical nursing, 28(5-6), pp.762-774.