Self-Care Is Mandated by the ANA Code of Ethics

The fifth provision of the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics states that the moral respect that nurses extend to all human beings “extends to oneself as well: the same duties that we owe to others we owe to ourselves.”

Reflect and assess the following areas of your life.

Physical

Are you up to date on your health screenings?

What are you eating for your meals? Are they healthy?

Are you at a healthy weight?

Are you making time for exercising?

Mental

Do you take time to mediate or zone out?

When was the last time you read a book?

Do you keep a journal?

Do you let others know when you are in a mentally challenging space?

What stimulates your mind?

Economic

Do you keep a budget?

Are you keeping within your budget?

Do you set aside money each week for future use (school, vacation, gifts)