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Summary
Self-awareness is integral to the development of mental health practitioners. This article defines the concept and considers how it can be nurtured, particularly in newly qualified nurses.
Keywords
mental health: attitudes: emotions: reflective practice
These keywords are based on the subject headings from the British Nursing Index. This article has been subject to double-blind review. For related articles and author guidelines visit our online archive at www.mentalhealthpractice. co.uk and search using the keywords.
MHP152 Jack K, Miller E (2008) Exploring self-awareness in mental health practice. Mental Health Practice. 12, 3, 31-35. Date of acceptance: June 4 2008.
Aims and intended learning outcomes
The aim of this article is to explore the concept of self-awareness and to describe how it can be used to assist newly qualified staff nurses in developing their practice on both a personal and professional levels.
After reading this article you should be able to:
* Describe the concept of self-awareness.
* Explore the benefits of being a self-aware mental health nurse.
* Discuss how self-awareness can be developed in mental health nursing practice.
* Utilise the proposed experiential learning framework to develop self-awareness within your practice as a mental health nurse.
Introduction
Becoming self-aware is a conscious process in which we consider our 'understanding of ourselves' (Rawlinson 1990). Knowing our own strengths and limitations, understanding our own emotions and the impact of our behaviour in diverse situations serves to enhance therapeutic relationships with others in the mental health setting. Rungapadiachy (1999) goes so far as to say that becoming self-aware should be compulsory in the health professions and that it comprises three interrelated aspects: cognitive, affective and behavioural. These aspects may also be described as thinking, feeling and acting. For example, if I am aware that a potential situation could make me feel anxious, then this could block effective communication because my anxiety could take over, with the result that my anxiety makes me unable to speak or make myself understood effectively.
Burnard (1992) suggests that developing selfawareness helps us to be less of a victim and enables us to take control and responsibility for situations. Using communication as an example, awareness of my anxiety in a particular situation can prompt me to take control and take measures to...