NR 222 Week 1 Chamberlain Care & Health Promotion

Grace J.
August 6, 2025August 6, 2025
CU BSN, NR-222

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 essential tenets: caring for faculty, students, partners, patients, and the community. This model emphasizes that caring for oneself is fundamental to building and sustaining compassionate and supportive relationships with others. By prioritizing personal well-being, individuals are better equipped to extend care to their academic peers, professional colleagues, and the wider community.

What is Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is a state often experienced by nurses and other healthcare professionals after prolonged exposure to patient suffering. It is characterized by a decrease in the ability to empathize. This condition can severely impact professional functioning and personal well-being.

Prevention of Compassion Fatigue:

Establishing and maintaining professional boundaries
Engaging in regular self-care practices
Enhancing self-awareness
Gaining further knowledge about compassion fatigue

Common Signs and Symptoms:

Symptom Type	Description
Physical/Psychological	Insomnia, exhaustion, anger, irritability, anxiety, or weight gain from stress-related hormonal changes
Absenteeism	Frequent sick days or missed work shifts
Substance Misuse	Increased reliance on drugs or alcohol
Emotional	Loss of empathy, irrational fears, disassociation, intrusive thoughts
Relationship Issues	Difficulty separating work from personal life, intimacy issues
Professional	Impaired decision-making, loss of job satisfaction, aversion to patient care

Self-Care and Chamberlain Care®

Self-care is the cornerstone of Chamberlain Care®. Addressing one’s needs physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually enhances the ability to care for others. Important strategies include:

Time management and planning
Studying in well-lit environments for mental alertness
Eating nutritious meals and staying hydrated to support cognitive function

Tips for Effective Studying:

Establish a study schedule
Engage with peer groups for support
Incorporate regular exercise or relaxation practices
Review guidelines and test schedules in advance
Prioritize sleep and healthy meals
Integrate mindfulness practices and maintain social connections

Week 1: Self-care as a Nurse

Code of Ethics for Nurses

Nurses have professional duties that extend to both themselves and their patients. The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics outlines these duties:

Duties to Self and Others:
Nurses must prioritize their own health and well-being, including safety, integrity, competence, and continued professional development.

Promotion of Health and Safety:
Nurses serve as role models by leading healthy lifestyles. Achieving balance between work and personal life helps avoid burnout.

Preservation of Character and Integrity:
Nurses act as moral agents, merging personal and professional values to form a coherent identity. When their integrity is threatened, they must speak up and only compromise when their core values remain intact.

Professional Competence:
Continuous self-assessment and a commitment to lifelong learning are essential for maintaining clinical competence.

What is Stress?

Stress is a physical, chemical, or emotional response to perceived threats to homeostasis. It can affect a person’s physical and mental health. When individuals are unable to adapt or lack resources, stress becomes unhealthy and may lead to illness.

Appraisal of a Stressor:

Evaluation of the situation’s meaning
Consideration of available coping resources

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) by Hans Selye

This theory describes the physiological response to stress:

Stage	Description
Alarm	The body activates the fight-or-flight response. If managed well, homeostasis is restored.
Resistance	The body uses defense mechanisms. Vulnerability to other stressors increases.
Exhaustion	Resources are depleted. Cognitive function declines, and unless adaptation occurs, this can lead to death.

Impact of Stress:

Physical ailments
Cognitive disturbances
Emotional instability

Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM)

Pender’s HPM aims to elevate individual well-being through the following factors:

Personal experiences and traits
Behavior-specific knowledge
Expected health outcomes

Interventions:

Nutritional guidance
Regular physical activity
Sufficient rest and sleep
Stress management techniques

Code of Ethics – Provision 6

Provision 6 of the ANA Code of Ethics emphasizes the responsibility of nurses to improve the ethical environment in healthcare settings. It includes:

Promoting a safe and respectful workplace
Rejecting abusive behaviors
Advocating for community health
Using technology for safer practices

Rest and Sleep

Circadian Rhythms:
These biological processes follow a 24-hour cycle and are influenced by environmental cues such as light and temperature.

Stages of Sleep:

Sleep Type	Characteristics
NREM	Non-rapid eye movement; 75% of sleep, includes three stages
REM	Rapid eye movement; 25% of sleep, important for cognitive restoration

Complete Sleep Cycle:

Pre-sleep period: 10-30 minutes
Full cycle: 90-110 minutes; occurs 4-6 times per night

Factors Affecting Sleep:

Emotional stress
Illness
Environmental conditions
Diet
Substance use

Sleep Deprivation Symptoms:

Blurred vision, impaired judgment, delayed reflexes
Confusion, irritability, lack of motivation

Sleep Assessment Tool:

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): A 19-question self-rated tool used to evaluate sleep quality over a month

Unit 2 Week 1: Defining Health and Wellness

Definition of Health

Health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a comprehensive state encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health represents an individual’s ability to function effectively in daily life despite various personal and environmental challenges. Factors influencing health include physiological condition, genetic predispositions, emotional health, cultural beliefs, spiritual well-being, lifestyle choices, and social interactions.

Definition of Wellness

Wellness is viewed as a dynamic and continuous process of change and growth toward an optimal state of well-being. It integrates multiple dimensions such as physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, environmental, occupational, and financial health. Even individuals living with chronic illness can achieve wellness by adapting to their circumstances and maintaining a positive outlook.

Illness vs. Disease

Illness refers to a subjective experience of a functional or structural disturbance.
Disease is diagnosed through physical indicators and observable signs, representing a pathological condition.

Variables Influencing Health and Health Practices

Variable Type	Examples
Internal Variables	Developmental stage, intellectual background, emotional stress, perception of functioning, spiritual values
External Variables	Family health practices, socioeconomic factors, cultural norms, social determinants of health

Illness-Wellness Continuum

This model illustrates a range from premature death to high-level wellness, emphasizing that health is not a static state but a continuous process.

Continuum Stage	Characteristics
Premature Death	Disease presence, poor quality of life, multiple medications
Disability Symptoms	Decline in function and visible symptoms
Comfort Zone	No current illness but health not a priority
Awareness & Education	Engagement in healthy behaviors, knowledge of health promotion
High-Level Wellness	Maximum functional capacity and proactive health behaviors

Note: Being at a high level of wellness does not imply the absence of illness.

Models of Health

Introduction to Health Models

Health models are theoretical frameworks used to understand individuals’ health beliefs and behaviors. They assist healthcare professionals in personalizing care and promoting behavioral change.

Health Belief Model

This model focuses on the connection between individual beliefs and health behaviors. It is instrumental in identifying clients’ perceptions and guiding interventions.

Key Motivators:

Perceived severity and susceptibility
Perceived threat of disease
Likelihood of taking preventive action

Pender’s Health Promotion Model (HPM)

HPM encourages individuals to engage in health-promoting behaviors by evaluating:

Personal experiences and traits
Behavior-specific knowledge and feelings
Likely outcomes of behavior changes

These components interact with the environment to determine one’s motivation and actions.

Holistic Health Model

The holistic model regards the person as an integrated whole, recognizing mind, body, and spirit. It emphasizes the body’s innate healing ability and often incorporates alternative therapies such as:

Meditation
Music and art therapy
Guided imagery
Relaxation techniques

Transtheoretical Model of Change

This model describes the stages people go through when modifying behavior:

Stage	Description	Nurse’s Role
Precontemplation	No intention of changing	Guide, motivator, resource coordinator
Contemplation	Considering change	Counselor, educator, critical thinker
Preparation	Planning for change	Communicator, supporter, advocate
Action	Actively making change	Coach, caregiver, instructor
Maintenance	Sustaining the behavior	Mentor, researcher, innovator

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow proposed a five-tier model of human needs represented as a pyramid, from basic survival needs to self-actualization.

Level	Description	Examples
Physiological	Basic survival needs	Food, water, sleep, oxygen
Safety & Security	Protection from harm	Housing, health, employment, stability
Love & Belonging	Social connection	Friendship, intimacy, affection
Self-Esteem	Respect and achievement	Confidence, status, recognition
Self-Actualization	Personal growth	Creativity, problem-solving, morality

Additional Levels (Extended Model):

Cognitive Needs: Desire for knowledge and meaning
Aesthetic Needs: Appreciation of beauty and balance
Transcendence Needs: Seeking purpose beyond oneself

Application in Nursing:

Prioritizing care based on physiological needs first
Recognizing patients’ psychological and emotional needs to foster holistic healing

Levels of Prevention

Level	Focus	Examples
Primordial	Avoiding risk exposure	Promoting healthy environments
Primary	Preventing disease onset	Vaccinations, healthy diet, education
Secondary	Early detection	Screenings, exams, diagnostic tests
Tertiary	Managing established disease	Rehabilitation, palliative care

Prevention Strategies by Level of Government:

Level	Strategies
National	Clean Water Act, Tobacco Control, Asthma Control Programs
State	Restaurant inspections, hazardous waste regulations
Local	Bike path zoning, liquor store limits

Promoters of Health

Role in Health Promotion

Nurses play a critical role in promoting health at individual, community, and policy levels. Their responsibilities include emergency response, care for aging populations, and contributing to public health policy. Health promotion also involves helping patients understand how to maintain and improve their well-being.

Health Promotion Definitions

Health Promotion (WHO): Empowering individuals to control and improve their health
Wellness Education: Teaching self-care techniques to increase health literacy
Illness Prevention: Protecting individuals from actual or potential health threats

Active vs. Passive Promotion

Type	Description	Example
Active	Individual participation	Joining a smoking cessation program
Passive	External benefit without action	Water fluoridation

Health Risks and Risk Factors

Risk Factor: Attributes or conditions increasing vulnerability to illness or injury
Modifiable Risks: Poor diet, lack of exercise, inadequate sleep
Nonmodifiable Risks: Age, gender, family history
Environmental Health Risks: Exposure to harmful substances (physical, chemical, or biological)

References

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

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

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