Nurse: As a Whole Person

Jonathan M. Carretas, R.N., LL.B. (ongoing)

Concept of a Healthy Nurse

What is your concept of a Healthy Nurse?

Concept of a Healthy Nurse

Concept of a Healthy Nurse

Concept of a Healthy Nurse

The Concept of Health

Health is now considered to be one of our most important values. Many people, in particular in modern times, have regarded health as one of the most precious values in life. Health, as well as longevity, should, they think, be protected and enhanced as much as possible. Thus, the art and science of medicine has received a crucial place in the modern, both Western and Eastern, society. The doctors and other health workers are important people. They are highly regarded and they are well paid in most countries. In certain circles they have replaced the priests or even the gods of old times.

The Concept of Health

We can also see the rapid development of the movement of health promotion which is partly but not wholly connected to the development of medicine. Health promoters of various kinds play roles as advisors and supporters to many modern people. And the commercial industry has followed in these steps. Huge amounts of goods which purport to be beneficial for ones health have been marketed and successfully put up for sale.

The Concept of Health

Health, thus, is a notion primarily applicable to a human being as a whole. Bernhard Hring is a leading spokesman for a notion of health including a spiritual dimension: A comprehensive understanding of human health includes the greatest possible harmony of all of mans forces and energies, the greatest possible spiritualization of mans bodily aspect and the finest embodiment of the spiritual.

The Concept of Health

Health as well-being It is an important aspect of health that the body and mind are well, both in order and function. But we may ask for the criteria of such well-functioning. How do we know that the body and mind function well? When is the body in balance?

The Concept of Health

Health as well-being A traditional answer is that the persons subjective well-being is the ultimate criterion. Simply put: when a person feels well, then he or she is healthy. Thus, the ultimate criterion of a persons health is his or her present or future wellbeing.

The Concept of Health

WHO Definition of Health It was formulated at the start of WHOs constitution, which was adopted on 22 July 1946. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity, Official Records of the World Health Organization, 2 (1948, p. 100), Geneva.

The Concept of Health

WHO Definition of Health This definition characterizes an ideal state of a human being, and a state which is almost never reached by any human in the world. It is a utopian definition (idealistic), which could hardly be used in the context of ordinary health care. It is also highly debatable whether it is at all adequate to capture the notion of health.

The Concept of Health

a. The health concept used in clinical practice is related to vital goals and not just to survival. Moreover, health is something over and above the absence of disease (also when the concept of disease is interpreted in the holistic sense.) b. The health concept used in the context of general health promotion is, I argue, much more naturally interpreted along the holistic lines than along the biostatistical lines.

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences
Recognized as one of Time magazine's 25 most influential Americans, Stephen R. Covey has dedicated his life to demonstrating how every person can truly control their destiny with profound, yet straightforward guidance. As an internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author, his advice has given insight to millions.

Developing a Balanced You

Some of Stephen R. Covey's milestones:
Over 20 million books sold (in 38 languages) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was named the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century Authored four titles with sales exceeding one million copies each: First Things First , Principle-Centered Leadership, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Latest book, The 8th Habit , has sold nearly 400,000 copies International Man of Peace Award National Fatherhood Award (father of 9, grandfather of 44) Author of the best-selling nonfiction audio in history (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) No. 1 best-selling hardcover book on family (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families) MBA from Harvard, doctorate degree from Brigham Young University Board of directors for the Points of Light Foundations Co-founder and vice chairman of FranklinCovey, the leading global professional services firm with offices in 123 countries International Entrepreneur of the Year Award Awarded eight honorary doctorate degrees

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences
This offers a holistic opportunity to enrich our lives, as we seek to develop these facets of our lives - mind (IQ), body (PQ), spirit (SQ) and heart (EQ). By developing all four of the human intelligences discussed, we can have a greater impact on people around us, and effect greater change in the causes we fight for.

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences
If you develop each of the intelligences (IQ, EQ, PQ and SQ), then you will find more fulfillment in life and in fact will be more influential and successful in what you live for. Throughout the last part of the twentieth century the talk was about IQ (Mental Intelligence), and the focus was on the importance of developing your own IQ to better interact in business and relationships. Its a good framework to ensure that your personal growth is balanced.

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences
As years progressed the understanding and acceptance of what is labeled EQ (Emotional Intelligence) gathered some traction. The substance of EQ relates to the emotional capacity of people to interact with others and is related to self-esteem, interpersonal relationships and self-assertiveness. Covey also highlights PQ (Physical Intelligence) and SQ (Spiritual Intelligence).

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences
PQ is defined as the intelligence related to the natural aspects of the functions of your body, Example, the process of digesting food, or the absorption of vitamin D into the blood; So to improve your PQ is to improve your fitness and your overall physical health.

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences
The spiritual intelligence is the glue that holds the other three intelligences together and it, 'represents our drive for meaning and connection with the infinite' (Covey, 2004: 53). Our spiritual intelligence helps us discover the overarching principles that characterize our life, and the principles that in fact enrich us.

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences Let me give you an example of how this plays out in real life. You may be a dedicated manager of a bakery franchise and you have a passion to increase your business and focus on your own development. Firstly, you might review literature on baking, small business leadership, accounting techniques, etc - you are choosing to increase your IQ. Secondly, you might decide to have a jog every afternoon, because you notice you are growing physically weary keeping up the long hours in the kitchen - you are now working on your PQ.

Developing a Balanced You

Stephen Coveys Four Human Intelligences: You may be a dedicated manager of a bakery franchise and you have a passion to increase your business and focus on your own development. Thirdly, you notice the need to grow your emotional intelligence (EQ), because of the regular conflict resolution needed between employees, and the assertiveness that is longed for, especially when it comes to negotiating rent and expectations with shopping centre management. Finally, in the process, you take a day or two off the busy schedule, walk up a mountain, with the fresh air on your face, and you contemplate your place in the bigger scheme of things. As you spend this time reflecting on the principles that characterize your life, you find yourself thanking God for the blessings he's given you over the years - this is about your SQ.

The Coveys 4 Intelligence Dimension

The Coveys 4 Intelligence Dimension

SQ+EQ+IQ+PQ = Complete Development

The Coveys 4 Intelligence Dimension

Physical intelligence (PQ) Our ability to maintain and develop our physical fitness. It corresponds to body. Mental intelligence (IQ) Our ability to analyze, reason, think abstractly, use language, visualize, and comprehend. It corresponds to mind. Emotional intelligence (EQ) Our self-knowledge, self-awareness, social sensitivity, empathy and ability to communicate successfully with others. It corresponds to heart. Spiritual intelligence (SQ) Our drive for meaning and connection with the infinite. It corresponds to spirit.

The Coveys 4 Intelligence Dimension

Do you know which of the 4 intelligences is considered the most important by Covey?

The Coveys 4 Intelligence Dimension

The answer is spiritual intelligence. Why? Because spiritual intelligence becomes the source of guidance of the other three. It is our life purpose and meaning that inspire our other areas of life. Ironically, it may also be the least talked about among the four and the least we develop.

The Coveys 4 Intelligence Dimension

Summary on How to Develop the 4 Capacities

Physical intelligence (PQ) Wise nutrition Consistent balanced exercise Proper rest, relaxation, and stress management, and prevention thinking Mental intelligence (IQ) Continuous, systematic, disciplined study and education Cultivation of self-awareness (by making assumptions explicit) Learning by teaching and doing

The Coveys 4 Intelligence Dimension

Summary on How to Develop the 4 Capacities

Emotional intelligence (EQ) Applying the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People which consists of: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then to be understood, synergize, and sharpen the saw. Spiritual intelligence (SQ) Making and keeping promises Educating and obeying your conscience Asking questions to yourself and living the answers