Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner School
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Caring for Self: A Morning in the Morikami Gardens
SAMPLE PAPER
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University
NGR 6110: Advanced Nursing Practice Grounded in Caring
Owlsley McHootington
September 27, 2026
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Caring for Self: A Morning in the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Caring for self is not always acknowledged by the nurse as a priority. However, many authors
agree that caring for others is not possible without caring for self (Mayeroff, 1971; Boykin &
Schoenhofer, 2001). Attending to one’s personal requirements of caring for self is foundational to caring
from the perspective of caring science (Shields & Stput-Shaffer, 2022). The purpose of this paper is to
explore knowing self as caring person, discussing an activity that highlighted the importance of the
student to herself, considering the literature on caring for self.
Describe the activity
The activity that I chose was a walk through the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, in
Delray Beach, on a sunny Saturday morning. Upon my admission to the Gardens, I left the main building.
As I was going down the stairs, I took three deep breaths as a way to connect myself to the Gardens, the
nature, and my inner self. I strolled the 7/8-mile path slowly, contemplating the nature, being aware of
the warm sensation of the sun’s heat on my skin and of the freshness brought by the shadows and the
cooling breeze. Along the path, I appreciated the artwork, plants, flowers, and animals. I spent a long
time in the bamboo grove listening to them ‘talking’ with each other, since this is my favorite part of the
Gardens. As I was walking and reflecting on the theme ‘transitions’, I stopped by the bonsai garden.
Looking at each bonsai plant, I noticed that one of them dates back to the 1600s. I came to realize that
the bonsai had gone through many transitions as well, but it has remained its own self, perhaps getting
stronger over the years. After almost two hours of a restorative walk and appreciation of extraordinarily
well-maintained Gardens, I finished my walk at the café, tasting a delicious, cooling bubble mango juice.
Discuss why you picked this activity
I went to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens for two reasons. First, I enjoy being in
contact with nature because I believe it is a powerful healing resource for me. Whenever I am feeling
overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, I try to find a place where I can connect to nature. For instance,
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observing the ‘dance’ of the trees to the sound of the wind, listening to the sound of the ocean, or
watching the animals, evoke soothing sensations that help me relax, replenish, and re-energize.
Secondly, I participate in a ‘Stroll for Well-Being Program’ offered by the Morikami. The Program was
designed to assist people in adjusting to life’s situations and overcoming unpleasant feelings; it consists
of 12 walks, each of which has a specific theme for reflection. I reflected on the theme ‘transitions’.
Meaning of Care for Self and Self-care and Literature Integration
A brief literature review conducted to write this paper showed that the terms ‘care for self’,
‘caring for self’, and ‘self-care’ are used interchangeably. In general, the terms refer to a set of activities
that one engages in to prevent illness, restore or enhance health, and ultimately achieve well-being
(Chow & Kalischuk, 2008). Some authors have argued that the term self-care does not capture the
dimensions of self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-responsibility, involved in the process of achieving
well-being. Therefore, they have argued in favor of the use of the term self-development (Shields &
Stput-Shaffer, 2022).
From the perspective of the Theory of Nursing As Caring (Boykin & Schoenhofer, 2001), caring
for self creates a genuine awareness of both self and the interconnectedness between self and others.
Through knowing self, one can be authentic to self and with others. Fundamentally, the engagement in
knowing self and the consequent authentic awareness influence the relationship between one as caring
person and other individuals (Boykin & Schoenhofer, 2001).
The work of Boykin and Schoenhofer (2001) resonates with Mayeroff’s (1971) understanding
that caring for self depends upon experiencing how one sees oneself from inside as others see one from
the outside, without becoming a stranger to oneself. Mayeroff’s (1971) caring ingredients, such as
knowing, courage, humility, and trust are a powerful resource for the development of the genuine
awareness and honest knowing of self (Boykin & Schoenhofer, 2001; Mayeroff, 1971). For instance,
knowing one’s own powers and limitations is necessary to care for someone (Mayeroff, 1971).
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Caring for self leads to a deep knowledge of the inner self, which is foundational for being
authentically present in the moment. This idea converges with Sister Roach’s beliefs of caring. She states
that “caring is humankind at home, not through dominating or controlling, but by being who we really
are, being real, being true to self” (Roach, 2002).
Caring for self also means attending to one’s needs and taking responsibility for one’s own life
(Mayeroff, 1971). Mayeroff (1971) explains that caring for self is far from being egocentric. First, he says
the egocentric person is not really interested in his/her growth; rather, this person is indifferent to
his/her needs to actualize himself/herself. Secondly, caring for self has the ultimate goal of caring for
others. In this sense, the understanding and the appreciation for someone else’s growth is only possible
if one understands and appreciates his/her own growth (Mayeroff, 1971).
Indeed, caring for self is embedded in almost all of the nine provisions of the American Nurses
Association (ANA) Code of Ethics (Association, 2015). As an example, Provision 1 affirms that “the nurse
practices with compassion and respect”, which requires the establishment of a trusting relationship and
the identification of patients needs. From the readings, it is possible to infer that the nurse can only
respond to a call appropriately and help the other grow if he/she cares for himself/herself and is
authentically present in the relationship with the nursed (Mayeroff, 1971). In turn, Provision 5 of the
ANA Code of Ethics (Association, 2015) explicitly states that the nurse has the same responsibilities with
self as to others, including the promotion of personal health, safety, and well-being, as well as the
continuation of personal and professional growth. According to the ANA Code of Ethics (Association,
2015), engaging in health habits contributes to preventing fatigue and compassion fatigue. In addition, it
is noted that nurses must address themselves as whole persons; a better understanding of themselves
results in a better understanding of their patients. Also, the ANA Code of Ethics expresses that
professional and personal lives are not disconnected so that personal growth reflects on professional
growth and vice-versa (ANA, 2015).
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The literature shows that caring for self allows for both the balance and the replenish of inner
energy, as well as it improves the sense of well-being (Buchanan & Reilly, 2019; Hanrahan & Gonzalez,
2019; Lamke et al., 2014). Energy along with knowledge, judgment, skills, experience, and motivation
are indispensable for being competent and responding appropriately to professional demands and
responsibilities (Roach, 2002). Conversely, the lack of caring for self results in burnout and compassion
fatigue, both of which may negatively affect the quality of care (Buchanan & Reilly, 2019; Hanrahan &
Gonzalez, 2019; Lamke et al., 2014).
Studies showing the positive impact of caring for self strategies on the nurse are prolific. Lamke,
Catlin, and Mason-Chadad (2014) demonstrated in a quasi-experimental study that the Jin Shin Jyutsu®
self-care method, a comprehensive healing art which uses touch to harmonize the flow of energy,
increased significantly the Coates Caring Efficacy Scale scores at the end and 30 days after the
intervention, and improved the sense of being authentically present in the caring relationship. In a pre-
and post-test study, Buchanan and Reilly (2019) evaluated the effect of HeartMath techniques to reduce
stress and improve resiliency in health care providers. The results revealed an improvement in
organizational, emotional, and physical stress, as well as in emotional vitality of the participants.
In conclusion, caring for self is paramount to caring for others, besides being an ethical standard
for the nursing profession. Caring for self encompasses knowing self as caring person and performing
activities to enhance health and well-being. There is evidence of the benefits that caring for self
strategies brought for nurses. Potential benefits for the nursed are presumable since caring for self
nurtures nurses’ wholeness and enhances the authentic presence of the nurse in the relationship with
the one nursed.
Describe how this activity nurtured your wholeness and well-being
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As stated by eminent caring scholars (Cowling et al., 2008) “caring potentiates the apprehension
of the wholeness”. Recognizing, understanding, and experiencing a self-awareness that emerged from
self-reflection and contemplation of nature nurtured my sense of well-being and wholeness.
Strolling through the Morikami while self-reflecting about the theme ‘transitions’ guided me to
an encounter with my inner self. In this encounter, I tried not to be judgmental; I tried to be sensitive to
what my emotions and feeling were telling me and how they might have been influencing me as caring
person. In the process of understanding my responses to the ‘transitions’, I felt “in-place”. The
interconnectedness of nature, my thoughts, and myself shed light on new possibilities that have been
arising in my life because of the transitions I am going through. I immediately felt energized and open to
new experiences–a comprehension that I am moving forward even though directions may change
multiple times was comforting.
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References
American Nurses Association, A. N. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretative Statements. In.
Maryland: Silver Spring.
Boykin, A., & Schoenhofer, S. O. (2001). Nursing As Caring: A model for transforming practice. Jones and
Bartlett Publishers.
Buchanan, T. M., & Reilly, P. R. (2019). The Impact of HeartMath Resiliency Training on Health Care
Providers Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 38(6), 328-336.
https://doi.org/10.1097/DCC.0000000000000384
Chow, J., & Kalischuk, R. G. (2008). Self-Care for Caring Practice: Student Nurses’ Perspectives.
International Journal for Human Caring, 12(3), 31-37.
Cowling, W. R., 3rd, Smith, M. C., & Watson, J. (2008). The Power of Wholeness , Consciousness, and
Caring A Dialogue on Nursing Science, Art, and Healing. Advances in Nursing Science, 31(1), E41–
E51. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ANS.0000311535.11683.d1
Hanrahan, K., & Gonzalez, K. (2019). Happiness: The Highest Form of Health Nurse Leader, 17(4), 308-
314. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2019.04.001
Lamke, D., Catlin, A., & Mason-Chadd, M. (2014). “Not Just a Theory”. The Relationship Between Jin
Shin Jyutsu® Self-Care Training for Nurses and Stress, Physical Health, Emotional Health, and
Caring Efficacy. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 32(4), 278–
289 https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010114531906
Mayeroff, M. (1971). On caring. Harper Perennial.
Roach, M. S. (2002). Caring: The human mode of being (2nd rev. ed. ed.). Canadian Hospital Association
Press.
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Shields, D. A., & Stput-Shaffer, S. (2022). Self-development: The Foundations of Holistic Self-Care. In M.
A. B. Helming, D. A. Shields, K. M. Avino, & W. E. Rosa (Eds.), Dossey & Keegan's Holistic Nursing:
A Handbook for Practice (8th ed.). Jones & Barlett Learining.