Personal transformation often includes self-development work. Nursing practice is typically performed in a group. So the question becomes, how can the two possibly co-exist together?  While this inquiry is valid, the way I prefer to approach this is:

How can you have personal development outside of nursing practice?

My response? You cannot.

While the two seem to be mutually exclusive, they are in fact one in the same. As a nurse professional we are unable to develop professionally if we don’t tend to our self-growth. Every nurse reading this post is familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Once the previous layers of basic needs, belongingness, and esteem are met individuals can move into the stages of self-actualization.

Personal development actually enhances our nursing practice. When we tend to our desires, take care of our health and reflect further upon nursing from within; we thrive in our nursing career.

So you might be wondering, “OK, Elizabeth. How do I do this? What are some suggestions you have for including personal transformation in my nursing practice?”

Here are two simple ways I like to tap into nursing from within:

• Consciously choose your language. Think about the words, tone and energy before you speak. Your thoughts and words carry a vibration. Instead of “I hope I don’t have to work with Sally today” you can choose to spin that around into the affirmative. “I choose to enjoy a successfully smooth shift today.” Which one feels better for you? And if it feels better to you, I can guarantee it will feel uplifting to the people you interact with.
• Empower your confidence. So many of us have memories, experiences, let downs and traumas that interact with our views of self-worth and esteem. Even if you are pretty sure of yourself and able to stand in your power, there tends to be that teeny-tiny inner critical voice that comes out at just the right times of self-sabotage. Use intentional affirmations on a daily basis to uplift the inner spirit and engage in self-empowering beliefs. The more you think it, you will show it. It’s not ‘see it and believe it’; it’s ‘believe it and you will see it’.

I once knew a nurse who had all of the ‘nursing skills’. She was a real role-model on her unit: presenting posters at National Conferences, sitting on departmental committees, and part of the unit leadership group. But if you said one critical word to this particular nurse, she held onto it for days. Even weeks.

Yes, her work ethic was strong and her knowledge advanced. But what about the inner self? One small offer of constructive feedback could send her home in tears. One negative comment created a tailspin of worry.

I wish I could have told this girl about nursing from within. About feeling good from the inside out. From the inside so that the outside was more enjoyable, more grounded and calm. I would have shared with her how the inner work of personal transformation makes the outer environment of nursing practice so much easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Will you tell a nurse today? Will you take an inner look at your own self-growth? How can you shift from within to excel as a nurse professional?

I’d love to hear from you. Thank you for reading and please, take a moment to share a comment, question or reflection below. Enjoy the day.