Eliciting the Theory of Meaning on Self-Care for Nurses: Application of Ray’s Caring Inquiry

Abstract

This study aims to explore the self-care experiences of Christian nurses in the Philippines, examining how their spiritual beliefs shape their professional and personal well-being. Using Ray’s Caring Inquiry methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 nurses from diverse practice settings, resulting in seven key meta- themes: (1) surviving personal hardships, (2) transcending personal attachment to God, (3) loving oneself to love others, (4) envisioning oneself to serve others, (5) actualizing life’s purpose, (6) integrating mind, body, and spirit, and (7) modeling self-care. While this research offers significant insights, its findings are limited to Christian nurses and may not fully reflect the experiences of those from different religious or cultural backgrounds. Future studies should explore spiritual self-care practices across various traditions to enhance the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, investigating the relationship between self-care, spirituality, and career longevity could provide valuable insights into how these practices contribute to professional fulfillment and mitigate burnout. The study also highlights the need for further research on how nurses can serve as role models of self-care, fostering a culture of wellness and compassion in healthcare. This pioneering study in the Philippines, utilizing Ray's Caring methodology, offers a unique contribution to the understanding of self-care in the nursing profession.