Caring for the nurse self: verbal abuse as a case in point

An assumption that undergirds quality improvement activities is that a practitioner cares for himself or herself. The article describes six caring attributes. The discussion focuses on care of the nurse self with verbal abuse as a case in point. Nurses average five to six incidents of verbal abuse every month. Understanding oneself and implementing certain techniques can help one overcome feelings of powerlessness, incompetence, and decreased self-worth. Self-knowledge and self-change are important aspects of the nurse caring for himself or herself. Quality nursing practice is a positive outcome.