Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for Nursing

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory that explains how human needs dictate and affect their behavior. The psychologist Maslow presented this hierarchy as a pyramid, each layer of which denotes human needs. The bottom layer is basic physiological needs, the second layer is safety needs, then it is love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization as the top layer (Robinson & Chambers, 2017). Basing on this approach, the needs of nurses will be analyzed below.

To satisfy nurses’ physiological needs, one should think about their work environment. Nurses must have sufficient breaks to eat, rest, go to the bathroom, and communicate. Otherwise, they will be exhausted to perform their work properly. Safety needs are related to a safe and secure healthcare environment. Nurses should be able to ask for help in cases they feel that their safety is at risk. Bullying must be unacceptable at work, and hospitals have to create all conditions for nurses to feel safe.

Nurses should also feel that they are an important part of their team. If they know that their thoughts and emotions matter, their belonging needs will be satisfied. Hospital leaders should involve nurses in decision-making processes to find solutions to customer care problems. Nurses’ esteem needs will be attained if nurses spend more time with their patients because their main task is to take care of people. In comparison, if care practitioners run around searching for people, phone numbers, or supplies, they will be frustrated and tired.

Finally, self-actualization needs can be achieved when nurses feel that they are respected and supported at work. For example, hospitals can create such an environment, in which nurses will be able to determine how to plan their schedule and solve problems. Instead of requiring every nurse to work 12 hours per shift, hospitals should try to meet their workers’ individual needs and adjust working schedules accordingly. In conclusion,

Reference

Robinson, J. T., & Chambers, M. (2017). Applying Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to human-centered design translating HCAHPS results into designs that support improved care delivery. AIA AAH Academy Journal, 19, 30-38. Web.