An Integrative Literature Review on Self-awareness Education/Training Programs in the Nursing Area

Purpose: This paper is a review of interventions designed to promote self-awareness in the nursing area. The specific purpose was to analyze the general characteristics of self-awareness intervention studies, intervention contents, and the effects of the studies in order to present basic information for developing self-awareness interventions in the nursing area. Methods: Using “nurse/nursing” and “self-awareness” as key words, the researchers searched six electronic databases. The method proposed by Whittemore and Knafl was used. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. The most common research design was quasi-experimental. Nine quasi-experimental studies (52.9%), 7 qualitative studies (41.2%), and 1 mixed methodology study (5.9%) were analyzed. Most studies used group intervention and student nurses as participants. The interventions were revealed to be effective in enhancing participants’ self-awareness. The reflection method was used in most intervention approaches. Conclusion: To provide therapeutic nursing care, having self-awareness is important. Future research with well-designed clinical trials applying self-awareness intervention needs to be conducted to enhance self-awareness in the nursing area.