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Nursing and caring: a personal construct theory study of some nurses' self-perceptions.
1School of Nursing Studies, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Trained nurses reported significant discrepancies between their current and ideal professional carer selves. These findings highlight the personal cost of caring and suggest a need for further research into nurse well-being.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Professional identity is crucial for nurses.
- Understanding nurses' self-perceptions as carers is essential for quality patient care.
- The personal impact of caregiving on nurses is an under-researched area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore trained nurses' perceptions of themselves as professional carers.
- To identify discrepancies between nurses' current and ideal self-perceptions.
- To investigate the personal cost associated with the caring role.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 25 charge nurses.
- Utilized Kelly's personal construct theory and repertory grid technique.
- Assessed self-perception using a seven-point rating scale for 'myself as a carer' and 'ideal self as a carer' elements.
Main Results:
- All 25 participating nurses showed differences between their current and ideal carer self-perceptions.
- Discrepancies indicate a perceived need for personal change among nurses.
- The personal cost of caring for the carer emerged as a significant factor.
Conclusions:
- Nurses experience a gap between their actual and ideal professional identities.
- The demanding nature of nursing care can have a substantial personal cost for nurses.
- Future research should consider the carer's well-being and the psychological impact of the nursing role.