NR 222 Week 1 Chamberlain Care & Health Promotion

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-222 Health & Wellness

Prof. Name

Date

Unit 1 Week 1: Chamberlain Care

Introduction to Chamberlain Care

The Chamberlain Care® philosophy is grounded in five primary pillars: caring for students, faculty, partners, patients, and the larger community. At the heart of this philosophy is the recognition that caring for oneself is a vital prerequisite for building strong, compassionate, and supportive relationships with others. When individuals maintain their personal health and well-being, they are better prepared to extend genuine empathy and care to colleagues, patients, and society at large.

What is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue refers to the physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that healthcare professionals may experience after extended exposure to patients’ suffering. It often leads to a diminished ability to empathize with others, which negatively impacts professional practice and personal quality of life.

Prevention of Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue can be prevented through proactive strategies that emphasize resilience and self-preservation. These include:

Maintaining professional boundaries
Practicing consistent self-care routines
Enhancing self-awareness and reflection
Expanding knowledge about compassion fatigue and its effects

Common Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

Symptom Type	Description
Physical/Psychological	Insomnia, exhaustion, irritability, anger, anxiety, or weight fluctuations
Absenteeism	Frequent sick leave or missed work shifts
Substance Misuse	Increased dependence on alcohol, prescription drugs, or recreational substances
Emotional	Loss of empathy, intrusive thoughts, irrational fears, or emotional detachment
Relationship Issues	Difficulty balancing work and home life, problems with intimacy
Professional	Poor judgment, decreased satisfaction with work, reluctance to care for patients

Self-Care and Chamberlain Care®

Self-care is a cornerstone of the Chamberlain Care® philosophy. Meeting one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs not only fosters personal resilience but also strengthens one’s capacity to provide care for others. Essential self-care strategies include:

Effective time management
Studying in well-lit and organized environments
Staying hydrated and eating balanced meals
Engaging in regular exercise and relaxation practices
Prioritizing sleep and mindfulness activities

Tips for Effective Studying

Students are encouraged to adopt learning habits that strengthen retention and reduce stress. These include:

Establishing a consistent study routine
Collaborating with peers through study groups
Integrating exercise and stress-reduction strategies
Reviewing course requirements and exam dates in advance
Maintaining proper nutrition and rest
Staying socially connected to avoid isolation

Week 1: Self-Care as a Nurse

Code of Ethics for Nurses

The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2015) emphasizes that nurses hold ethical responsibilities both to their patients and to themselves. These obligations underscore the importance of maintaining personal well-being while delivering high-quality patient care.

Duties to Self and Others

Nurses are required to prioritize their own safety, professional growth, and moral integrity. By doing so, they ensure they can competently fulfill their responsibilities to patients and the healthcare system.

Promotion of Health and Safety

As role models, nurses are expected to promote healthy behaviors, encourage balanced lifestyles, and take steps to prevent burnout, both for themselves and others.

Preservation of Character and Integrity

Nurses act as moral leaders in healthcare settings. They are responsible for aligning their personal values with professional standards and advocating against practices that compromise integrity.

Professional Competence

Lifelong learning and continuous professional development are essential for nurses to maintain competence. Ongoing training and self-assessment help them stay aligned with evidence-based practices.

What is Stress?

Stress refers to the body’s physical, emotional, or chemical response to disruptions in homeostasis. While manageable stress can enhance performance, excessive or chronic stress may lead to illness, burnout, and cognitive decline.

Appraisal of a Stressor

Individuals assess stressors by interpreting their meaning and identifying coping resources. The personal perception of stress largely determines how one responds to it.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) – Hans Selye

Stage	Description
Alarm	The body initiates a fight-or-flight response; homeostasis may be restored if managed effectively.
Resistance	Defense mechanisms are employed, but vulnerability to new stressors increases.
Exhaustion	Energy resources are depleted, leading to impaired cognition and higher risk of illness.

Impact of Stress

Chronic stress can contribute to both physical illnesses (such as hypertension), cognitive impairments (poor concentration, memory loss), and emotional difficulties (irritability, anxiety, or depression).

Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM)

Pender’s HPM highlights that personal experiences, health-specific knowledge, and expected outcomes influence health-related behaviors. Interventions encouraged by the model include:

Balanced nutrition
Consistent physical activity
Adequate sleep
Stress-reduction practices

Code of Ethics – Provision 6

Provision 6 emphasizes that nurses must advocate for ethical workplace environments. Responsibilities include:

Promoting safe and respectful professional cultures
Rejecting harmful or unsafe practices
Supporting community health initiatives
Using technology responsibly to enhance care

NR 222 Week 1: Chamberlain Care & Health Promotion

Rest and Sleep

Circadian Rhythms

Circadian rhythms are natural, 24-hour cycles influenced by environmental factors such as light and temperature, which regulate biological functions including sleep.

Stages of Sleep

Type of Sleep	Characteristics
NREM	Non-rapid eye movement; accounts for 75% of sleep; three progressive stages
REM	Rapid eye movement; accounts for 25% of sleep; essential for memory and learning

Complete Sleep Cycle

A full sleep cycle takes approximately 90–110 minutes and repeats four to six times throughout the night. The pre-sleep phase generally lasts 10–30 minutes.

Factors Affecting Sleep

Sleep quality may be influenced by emotional stress, illness, environmental conditions, dietary choices, and substance use.

Sleep Deprivation Symptoms

Inadequate sleep can cause delayed reflexes, impaired judgment, blurred vision, emotional instability, and lack of motivation.

Sleep Assessment Tool

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a 19-question instrument, is commonly used to measure sleep quality over a one-month period.

Unit 2 Week 1: Defining Health and Wellness

Definition of Health

The World Health Organization (WHO, 1948) defines health as a comprehensive state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not limited to the absence of disease. This definition underscores the holistic nature of health, which is influenced by genetics, emotional stability, culture, spirituality, lifestyle choices, and environmental conditions.

Definition of Wellness

Wellness is a continuous process of personal growth directed toward optimal functioning. It encompasses multiple dimensions, including emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual, and environmental well-being. Even individuals living with chronic illness can achieve wellness through adaptation and a positive outlook.

Illness vs. Disease

Concept	Description
Illness	A subjective experience of physical or mental disturbance
Disease	A pathological condition with identifiable clinical signs and diagnostic markers

Variables Influencing Health and Health Practices

Variable Type	Examples
Internal	Developmental stage, personal values, stress perception, intellectual background
External	Family health habits, culture, socioeconomic status, and environmental determinants

Illness-Wellness Continuum

Stage	Characteristics
Premature Death	Disease, poor life quality, and heavy medication reliance
Disability Symptoms	Declining function and visible health challenges
Comfort Zone	Absence of illness but little proactive health promotion
Awareness & Education	Engagement in preventive health and self-education
High-Level Wellness	Optimal functioning with proactive health behaviors

Models of Health

Health Belief Model (HBM): Highlights perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits as motivators for health behaviors.
Pender’s HPM: Focuses on personal traits, prior experiences, and expected outcomes.
Holistic Health Model: Views health as an integration of mind, body, and spirit; emphasizes natural healing methods such as meditation, guided imagery, and music therapy.
Transtheoretical Model of Change: Explains health behavior change in stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Nurses play distinct roles at each stage, from motivator to mentor.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Level	Description	Examples
Physiological	Basic survival needs	Food, water, oxygen, sleep
Safety & Security	Protection and stability	Housing, employment, safety
Love & Belonging	Social connections	Family, friendships, intimacy
Self-Esteem	Recognition and achievement	Confidence, respect, status
Self-Actualization	Growth and fulfillment	Creativity, problem-solving

Extended model includes cognitive needs (knowledge), aesthetic needs (beauty), and transcendence (purpose beyond self).

Levels of Prevention

Level	Focus	Examples
Primordial	Eliminating risk exposure	Healthy environment design
Primary	Preventing onset of disease	Vaccinations, lifestyle education
Secondary	Early detection	Screenings, health checkups
Tertiary	Disease management	Rehabilitation, palliative care

Government-level strategies include:

National: Clean Water Act, tobacco control programs
State: Food safety regulations, hazardous waste oversight
Local: Zoning for parks/bike paths, restrictions on alcohol sales

Promoters of Health

Nurses serve as promoters of health at individual, community, and policy levels. Their contributions range from emergency response to chronic disease management and health policy advocacy.

Health Promotion Definitions

Health Promotion (WHO): Empowering individuals to take control of their health.
Wellness Education: Teaching health literacy and self-care strategies.
Illness Prevention: Interventions that protect against actual or potential health threats.

Active vs. Passive Promotion

Type	Description	Example
Active	Requires personal participation	Joining a smoking cessation class
Passive	Benefits individuals without direct effort	Fluoridated water supply

Health Risks and Risk Factors

Modifiable: Poor diet, lack of physical activity, insufficient sleep
Nonmodifiable: Age, genetic predisposition, biological sex
Environmental: Exposure to pollution, occupational hazards, unsafe housing

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Publishing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Prevention strategies. https://www.cdc.gov

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.

National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Understanding sleep. https://www.nih.gov

NR 222 Week 1 Chamberlain Care & Health Promotion

Pender, N. J., Murdaugh, C. L., & Parsons, M. A. (2015). Health promotion in nursing practice (7th ed.). Pearson.

Selye, H. (1956). The stress of life. McGraw-Hill.

World Health Organization. (1948). Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization. https://www.who.int