You may not be familiar with Maslow’s Theory of Needs that talks about 5 tiers of human needs. This theory assumes that the lower-level needs of humans should be met or at least sufficiently met before meeting the higher-level needs of humans.
Maslow’s Theory of Needs also has the implication of the practice environment needs that is particularly related to nurse retention. Practically, nurses will be able to apply Maslow’s theory to their practice of patient care. Then, how is Maslow’s theory of needs applied in nursing?
Let’s identify the implication of Maslow’s theory to nursing practice in our post below!
Why is Maslow’s theory of needs so important to nursing?
We can say that every nurse’s technique actually includes Maslow’s theory of needs to determine patient care priorities. It will generate positive results when this method is used in nursing practice. It will show that if the nurse’s work environment needs are not improved, they will be less motivated and less likely to rise to higher level responsibilities.
In work circumstances, nurses will encounter various intense demands and continuous interruptions. It cannot be denied that chaos will actually produce tiredness where the two together will undermine the nurse’s ability to be compassionate and joyful at their work.
The nurses may be tired from having a hectic day with a number of urgent calls to a colleague, but not having their important information may be more frustrating. It will be likely that patience and well-being can be harmed by frustration.
In terms of hierarchy, the nurse’s strength and techniques of acceptance in healthcare are similar to Maslow’s theory of needs.
How Does Maslow’s Theory of Needs Apply to Nursing?
Before we’re able to identify how Maslow’s Theory of Needs really applies to nursing practice, we surely took a little research to find the information about the implication of Maslow’s Theory of Needs to Nursing Practice.
Thankfully, we found some references that we can use to identify how Maslow’s theory applies to nursing. One of the references that talk about the implication of Maslow’s Theory of Needs to Nursing Practice clearly is Mylocum Site.
This site really talks about the 5 tiers related to nurse communication, from the bottom of the hierarchy upwards. Maslow’s theory reveals that every individual should attend to lower-level demands before they attend to higher-level requirements.
Here’s the explanation of Maslow’s theory of needs for nursing practice!
According to Maslow’s theory of needs, humans actually communicate to meet various physical and social demands. They include physical survival needs, belonging needs, safety and protection needs, self-esteem needs and the self-actualization needs.
At the top of the pyramid, the nurses can self-actualize in which they will feel a sense of control and support. They will also have a greater chance of solving for higher levels like self-actualization when they solve the first three areas of needs in the hierarchy.
Beginning from the bottom, here’s how the Maslow’s theory of needs looks like:
- Physiological needs
Naturally, nurses will need a safe working environment where they are required to take breaks to use, catch their breath and use the bathroom. They also need some communication solutions which allow them to collaborate and interact more effectively.
By utilising appropriate communication solutions, healthcare practices will be easily managed. Nurses who are supplied with techniques which improve patient care will end up saving time. If not, their time may be wasted speaking with people, receiving important test results, finding resources and other responsibilities.
If physiological issues are addressed in the healthcare setting, they can really recover time for basic human needs like meals and rest. As a result, they can give more time to patient care.
- Safety Needs
Every individual will need a break desire to feel secure. Certainly, there’s no successful way, unless the safe needs are addressed. If their physiological needs are satisfied, the safety and security needs will be silent.
However, every individual may want to experience order and control in their lives. Their needs will be fulfilled by family and society like police, medical care, school and business. Here are the examples of Safety needs:
- Emotional security
- Financial security (employment social welfare)
- Law and order
- Freedom from fear
- Social stability
- Health and wellbeing (safety against injury and accidents)
- Belonging and Love Needs
Knowing that their opinions and feelings are valued, nurses will also feel empowered at work. However, they will be the element of successful patient care where their viewpoints and professional advice on processes, goals and policies must be looked out by healthcare staff.
This level of need is social and involves a feeling of belongingness that refers to a nurse’s emotional need for social relationships, affiliating, connectedness and even being part of a group in a healthcare environment.
Here are the examples of Love and Belonging needs:
- Trust
- Friendships
- Acceptance
- Receiving and giving affection
- Self-esteem Needs
Every nurse may go to college with the idea that they will spend their life caring for patients. Certainly, they will feel like their mission is achieved if their patients and the outcomes are excellent.
Self-esteem needs include self-worth, accomplishment and respect. There are two categories of Self-esteem needs, including:
- Self-esteem for oneself (independence, dignity and achievement)
- The respect from others or desire for reputation (status and prestige)
- Self-actualization Needs
This is the highest level in Maslow’s theory of needs that refers to the realization of a nurse’s potential, seeking personal growth, self-fulfilment and peak experiences. Maslow explains this level as the desire to achieve everything that every individual can and to be the most that one can be.
If a nurse wants to return to university to achieve a higher degree or wants to spend more time with family, they may prefer to work only during the week. When healthcare practice provides a work environment that patients can trust and allows them to participate in problem solving decisions, they will feel more supported and endurance that strengthens.
The point is, without having nurse’s needs met, it may be hard to achieve positive outcomes for both healthcare patients and staff. That’s how Maslow’s theory of needs really applies to nursing practice.
