Running head: THE CONCEPT OF SERENITY 1

Serenity and the Importance to Nursing Practice

THE CONCEPT OF SERENITY 6

References

Beckstead, J.P., Conley, C.E., Kruse, B.G. (2005). Psychometric Properties of the Serenity
Scale: Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, November/December Volume 7, 337-344.

Chinn, P.L., Kramer, M.K., (2004). Empiric Knowledge Development: Explaining and
Structuring. Yvonne Alexopoulos. Melissa Boyle , Kristin Hebberd (6th Edition), Integrated Knowledge Development in Nursing (pp.54-90). St. Louis, Missouri.

Dictionary.com, (2010). An Ask.com Service. Retrieved on January 25th, 2010 from http://dictionary.reference.com Get Palliative Care, (2010). What is Palliative Care. Retrieved on January 25th, 2010 from http://www.getpalliativecare.org/home/ .

THE CONCEPT OF SERENITY 2
Incorporating the concept of serenity within nursing practice has been proven to be very beneficial when applied to patient care. The concept of serenity can have different meanings to different people. How one goes about obtaining serenity may vary greatly with each individual. The idea of serenity, of inner peace is desired by many. Nurses can assist patients with obtaining and maintaining this important concept. This paper will identify the concept of serenity and its relationship to nursing practice. The idea of serenity will be examined from a nursing and non-nursing perspective.
The definition of serenity refers to the state or quality of being serene, calm, or tranquil; sereneness (Dictionary, 2010 p.1). Serenity can become a very important aspect of nursing care. The way care is provided through the actions of nursing staff, has a huge effect on the patient’s well-being. According to the article Psychometric Properties of the Serenity Scale, “Serenity enhances one's ability to accept with equanimity whatever trials and tribulations are experienced and contribute to self-possession during difficult times. Serenity is a very important concept for nursing because it represents a holistic view of health, (Beckstead, Conley and Kruse, 2005, p.337)." The idea of looking at all aspects of a person’s needs is key to obtaining serenity. The idea of having a calmness or tranquility about one’s self is beneficial during challenging life circumstances. An example of demonstrating serenity within nursing practice may be witnessed during end of life. Kruse writes, “Peace at the end of life has been identified as the most desired goal of all but is difficult to attain for many individuals approaching the end of life. Nurses have a unique and primary responsibility to assist individuals at the end of life to experience a peaceful death (Beckstead et al., 2005).” Nurses offer assistance with peace and comfort by not only providing skilled nursing cares such as
THE CONCEPT OF SERENITY 3 medication management and wound care for example, but may also assist with visualization and relaxation techniques such as guided imagery, and aroma or music therapy. Also, just providing patients with a calm presence and willingness to listen can be comforting.
My personal description of serenity is having a sense of internal harmony and peace. To feel serene, I believe one needs to be completely accepting of where and who they are at a particular stage in life. One may feel serene at different stages throughout their life. Finding this feeling, especially at the end of one’s life is very important. To feel an inner peace and acceptance of where one has been, who they are now and where they will go is serenity. I feel being without fear and regret so that one’s own mind may be at ease is to have a feeling of inner peace. Serenity includes a person’s inner peace and balance of everything that makes us human which involves many different components. I believe these include physical aspects such as one’s health and what one does in order to stay healthy. For example, exercising and maintaining good nutrition. I also feel it involves being mentally healthy as well. This includes one’s own spirituality and self-worth. To have serenity, one needs to feel an inner balance of everything which makes one whole.
Serenity is something one feels internally. According to Chin and Kramer, “The process of creating conceptual meaning assumes common yet unique human experiences. The meanings can be assumed to be shared among people, particularly among those who belong to a professional discipline (Chin and Kramer p. 58).” To better grasp the concept of serenity, a visual image can be quite helpful. When describing a visual image of serenity, I personally think of a feather. A feather is light, soft and flows freely through the air when it falls. Feathers can be beautiful, full of colors and patterns. They are often used as decorative items and
THE CONCEPT OF SERENITY 4 incorporated into clothing and jewelry. A feather brings into mind a bird flying high and free in the sky. It is well known that a dove is the Christian symbol of peace. Having peace internally and within one’s own environment is serenity.
As a nurse, my personal concept of serenity is based upon not only my personal beliefs and experiences but also to the exposure of the environment in which I work. I feel serenity is an overall internal sense of calmness and acceptance with oneself. I visualize the concept of serenity as a feather- beautiful, soft and flowing. I see the concept of serenity being practiced in my work environment. I’ve cared for hospice patients whose main goal of care is palliative. Palliative care is defined as, “The medical specialty focused on relief of the pain, stress and other debilitating symptoms of serious illness. Palliative care benefits both patients and their families. Along with symptom management, communication and support for the family are the main goals (Palliative Care, 2010, p.1).” It’s important to take note of what someone from a non-nursing perspective may perceive from the concept of serenity. Chin and Kramer notes, “Each person’s own subjective perceptions may be quite unique, and they are more “real” to the individual than any other possible interpretation of the world (Chin and Kramer, p. 58).” When discussing the concept of serenity from a non-nursing perspective, the idea of serenity was put into much simpler terms. I asked my husband what his idea of serenity was. His reply was, “peace.” I asked him to visualize the idea of serenity. He began to describe a nature scene which included a bench overlooking a pond during sunset. His visualization also included a giant weeping willow tree which draped the bench he was sitting on. It’s interesting to see how another person articulates the same concept. Anyone could define the word serenity but each person’s idea of the concept of serenity can vary significantly based on personal beliefs and experiences.
THE CONCEPT OF SERENITY 5
Serenity, the inner peace we feel at different points throughout our lifetime despite difficult situations is a concept that is desired. Achieving serenity is necessary to one’s health and well-being. However, this concept may be difficult to obtain, especially during the end of one’s life, when it may be most desired. As nurses, we have the extraordinary skill of assisting patients and their families during this time. Helping others achieve a sense of internal peace is rewarding for nurses and makes the idea of achieving serenity very real and obtainable for anyone.