The self-concept is a pervasive and global aspect of an individual that is formed over a lifetime of experiences. How can nursing impact a clients self-concept?
The nurse encounters clients in situations where some aspect of the self-concept is changing or threatened with change. Each interaction between the nurse and client holds the potential to impact the client’s self-concept in a positive way. The nurse is aware of the four components of self-concept and carefully assesses for the client’s perceptions of the self. The client may enter the health care situation with a negative self-concept. The nurse assesses this and plans actions to increase the client’s coping skills and to promote a sense of well-being in the client. An overall goal of nursing for every client is to promote the client’s growth during the experience of illness or altered health state.
