Nursing is the work of the heart, requiring empathy and a thoughtful understanding of individual patient’s needs. In 1943, Abraham Maslow created Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to prioritize patient care. It is a five-tier pyramid consisting of physiological, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization needs. Nurses apply Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in their practice to prioritize patient care effectively.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory by Abraham Maslow that consists of 5 levels of a pyramid describing patient needs from most basic to complex. These needs should be met in a specific order. The five levels of the pyramid are as follows:
- Physiological needs
- Safety and Security
- Love and belonging
- Self-esteem
- Self-actualization
Physiological Needs
The Maslow hierarchy pyramid consists of physiological needs, which consist of basic needs such as air, food, water, shelter, and sleep. In nursing, these needs are the topmost priority while providing patient care. It is the duty of the nurses to meet these basic needs of the patient, as they are the foundation of care.
For example: If the patient has difficulty breathing or is dehydrated the nurse has to provide the basic needs first. Nurses have to make sure that the patient is getting enough water and oxygen. Their goal is to prioritize patient physiological needs to provide the best patient care.
Nursing interventions:
- Ensuring breathing support.
- Ensuring proper nutrition.
- Providing rest and pain relief.
Safety and Security
In Maslow’s hierarchy, this need means protecting the patient’s well-being. Once the basic needs are met the second most important need is safety and security, which includes both physical and psychological. Physical safety means protection from injury or any kind of harm whereas psychological safety means patients feel safe emotionally like anxiety or fear.
For example: Nurses have to make sure that the physical environment of the patient is safe, like fall prevention and safe administration of the medication.
Emotional safety means that the nurses must provide a safe environment of trust, especially if the patient has anxiety or fear. Nurses should make sure that they always feel safe and secure.
Nursing interventions:
- Implementing fall prevention measures.
- Addressing the patient’s anxiety.
- Administering patient’s medications correctly.
Love and Belonging
The third level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid consists of love and belonging needs. This means that the patients feel love, connection, and belonging. Like in nursing homes, it is the duty of the nurses to make sure that the patients or residents are not feeling isolated. Nurses should encourage social interactions. When patients are isolated, they feel lonely and stressed so it is the duty of nurses to offer emotional support and encourage family and friends to connect with the patient to foster positive relationships.
Nursing interventions:
- Facilitating family visits
- Providing emotional support
- Encouraging them to be involved in social activities
Self-esteem
Self-esteem needs or promoting self-worth is another level of Maslow’s hierarchy. This means the patients need self-respect and recognition. This is especially true for patients who are recovering from surgery as their sense of self-worth is affected by their health issues. Nurses should make the patients feel valued by allowing them to make decisions and respecting their preferences.
Nursing interventions:
- Encourage patients to make active decisions in their care.
- Offering praise on small progress of recovery
- Supporting patients during their recovery
Self-Actualization:
The last level of Maslow’s hierarchy is self-actualization. This means realizing the full potential and personal growth of the patient. Nurses should make sure that the patient is leaving the hospital with a positive attitude after overcoming the health challenge.
For example: it is especially for patients who are recovering from serious illness or are in long-term care like chemotherapy.
Nursing interventions:
- Supporting patients’ long-term health goals
- Fostering a sense of accomplishment
- Helping patients to maintain a sense of hope and purpose.
What are the five (5) levels of Maslow’s hierarchy?
The five (5) levels of Maslow’s hierarchy are:
- Physiological needs
- Safety and security needs
- Love and belonging needs
- Self-esteem
- Self-actualization
What is the main idea of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in nursing?
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory that states that the patient’s needs should be fulfilled from the most basic (water, food air) to the most complex needs (self-esteem and self-actualization).
What are the examples of basic needs or physiological needs in Maslow’s hierarchy?
The basic needs of the patient are food, water, air, shelter, rest, mental and physical health, etc.
Conclusion
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in nursing not only supports physical recovery but also emotional, psychological, and social healing. Maslow hierarchy theory has 5 levels of needs that every patient needs. From basic to complex needs that the nurse must fulfil to ensure effective patient care. These five levels of hierarchy are physical needs involving both physical and emotional needs, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. The nurses need to understand and implement these levels of care during their practice. This helps the patients feel valued, safe, and supported throughout their journey of recovery.
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