Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
10:07
Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
The ecological self in nurse educators: A concept analysis from a humanising lens
1Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, PO Box 393, UNISA, 0003, South Africa.
Nurse Education Today
|May 7, 2026
Summary
Nurse educators can develop an ecological self, expanding identity beyond humans to embrace interdependence and environmental stewardship. This fosters planetary health and prepares nurses as ecological stewards.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Environmental Ethics
- Ecopedagogy
Background:
- The concept of the ecological self is crucial for nurse educators.
- Understanding its formation and impact is vital for professional development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the ecological self in nurse educators.
- To explore its influences, outcomes, and practical applications.
- To inform teaching, curriculum, and professional development.
Main Methods:
- Concept analysis using Walker & Avant's method.
- Incorporated Ubuntu and Freirean ecopedagogy principles.
- Interdisciplinary literature review across nursing, education, Indigenous knowledge, philosophy, and environmental ethics.
Main Results:
- Six defining features of the ecological self identified: expanded identity, relational interdependence, place-embeddedness, stewardship ethic, ecological praxis, and justice-aware consciousness.
- Practical applications include integrating ecological thinking into learning outcomes and land-based learning.
Conclusions:
- The ecological self humanizes nurse educator identity and practice.
- Aligns nursing with planetary health goals.
- Supports curriculum transformation for environmental stewardship.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Self Within Cultural Contexts
Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
01:20Understanding Self-Concept
The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those aschematic for...
01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
Ethical principles are essential in guiding nurses to fulfill their responsibilities, focusing on the quality of nursing care and decision-making. These principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, shape the ethical framework within healthcare settings.
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...
01:29Nursing Code of Ethics
The Nursing Code of Ethics sets the ethical benchmark for the profession, and guides nurses in ethical analysis and decision making at the societal, organizational, and clinical levels. The code encompasses showing compassion and respect for the patient, their families, and communities in all circumstances while committing to providing patient-centered care. In addition, the code states that nurses must advocate for the patient by defending a cause or recommendation to protect their rights,...
01:22Nursing Ethical Principles I
Ethical principles serve as the moral compass in the longstanding tradition of nursing, guiding healthcare professionals in their interactions with patients and families. These principles, namely autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, provide a robust framework for navigating the ethical complexities of daily nursing practice.
Autonomy
Autonomy underscores the significance of a patient's self-determination and freedom from external control. In healthcare, respecting the...
Autonomy
Autonomy underscores the significance of a patient's self-determination and freedom from external control. In healthcare, respecting the...