Self-realisation-What does this mean for school nurses to remain in nursing practice?

To describe and interpret what it means for school nurses to realise themselves so that they remain in nursing practice.

Self-realisation seems to influence on nurses remaining in nursing practice. School nurses report aspects (i.e. autonomy and professional development) which can be linked to self-realisation as important for themselves, but few studies describe what it means for school nurses to realise themselves so that they remain in practice.

This study used a qualitative design, conducting two individual in-depth interviews with 15 school nurses. The interviews were analysed with a phenomenological hermeneutic method. The COREQ checklist has been used in reporting this study.

The following themes were emerged: (a) being attentive to yourself, (b) acting true to yourself and (c) making independent choices.

This study offers insight into what it means for school nurses to realise themselves so that they remain in nursing practice, that is to practise their originality and take a stand for what they consider important. Self-realisation was embedded within nursing practice and consequently seems to impact on nurses remaining in practice.

Nurses who practise their originality and take a stand for what they identify as important realise self. This implies being themselves and practising nursing in a way they find relevant. Nursing leaders who encourage nurses to articulate what this entails facilitate their self-realisation. A clinical practice where nurses can be attentive and act true to themselves, and have opportunities to make independent choices, will be a practice where nurses can realise self. We suggest that clinical practice which emphasises opportunities for nurses' self-realisation may facilitate their remaining in practice.