Self-Care, Self-Care Agency, and Self-Rounding: A Descriptive Study Focusing on Self-Care Agency between Bedside Nurses and Nursing Students

Abstract

This descriptive study provides data between two groups for the purpose of exploring differences and similarities of nursing students and nurses, while building a foundation of knowledge for further understanding on the topic of self-care agency. This project quantified the self-care agency between bedside nurses and nursing students, who represent comparable populations at different stages of professional development. Self-rounding is introduced to the sample group as a simple concept that prompts a nurse to frequently complete a self-assessment followed by a brief self-care activity. This study blends known nursing knowledge and nursing theory to create a functional application in the clinical setting. A quasi-experimental quantitative method was used for collecting descriptive data from first and second year nursing students and seasoned staff nurses. The use of the Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA) measured the self-care agency in the areas of responsibility, motivation, self-esteem, and value of health priorities. The survey generated acceptable responses from 77 nursing students and 128 registered nurses. The statistical analysis demonstrated a near mirror image in self-care agency between nursing students and registered nurses. The results and conclusions created an interesting base from which to launch additional studies on the topic of self-care for nurses. The goal of this study was to provide foundational understanding that provides direction for further study and introduce the new concept of self-rounding.