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Enhancing ‘muchness’ (or subjective experiences of well-being) through reflection and action (praxis): sharing the findings of a participatory inquiry with nurses Passed

Tuesday May 14, 2024 15:44 - 16:30 Poster Arena

Presenter: Kate Sanders

Track: Global and Local Perspectives, Posters

Poster can be found in location 12.

Introduction: I discovered the concept of muchness when reading a blog that considered quotes from Alice in Wonderland to identify what meaning they could offer healthcare. One of these quotes was: ‘You used to be much more “muchier”. You’ve lost your muchness’, said the Mad Hatter. Reflecting on my experiences of working with nurses who reported feeling overworked, undervalued and undermined, I questioned whether some nursing staff had lost their muchness - their subjective experience of well-being. Aim: The aim of the presentation is to consider how reflection and action (praxis) can facilitate muchness (or subjective experiences of well-being). Methods: An innovative research method was developed – Virtual Picture Voice, enabling nurses internationally to create and share ‘stories of muchness’ to generate understanding about muchness; and to participate in analysing and synthesising the stories contributing to the creation of the Muchness Model Version 1. This model was further refined through a metasynthesis process drawing upon wider philosophical and theoretical understandings, resulting in the development of the Muchness Model Version 2. Outcomes/findings: Situated within virtue ethics, the findings of this research, as represented in the Muchness Model V2, advocate for a ‘full-life’ understanding of well-being, that is a balance between the pursuit of feeling fulfilled and feeling good. Critical reflection on self, our relationships and the contexts within which we work can generate knowledge to inform actions towards experiencing muchness and flourishing in the workplace. Conclusions: A holistic approach to the facilitation of well-being should be used, that includes individuals and organisations, working at micro, meso and macro levels, to enable nurses to identify what is important/matters to them both personally and professionally. This knowledge can be used to inform actions relating to their nursing work, their relationships and their workplace context to enhance their muchness or subjective experience of well-being.  

Language

English

Seminar type

Poster

Conference

GCPCC

Authors

Kate Sanders

Lecturers

Kate Sanders Presenter

Foundation of Nursing Studies