Notes of fundamental of nursing

1. Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs
Kavya.R
Associate professor
Ebenezer college of nursing
Bangalore

2. • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in
psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs,
often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.
• The five levels of the hierarchy are physiological, safety,
love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
• Lower-level basic needs like food, water, and safety must be
met first before higher needs can be fulfilled.
• Applications include workplace motivation, education,
counseling, and nursing.

4. • Developed by Abraham Maslow, this
psychological theory is rooted in the concept
of human needs.
• It posits that individuals are driven by a
hierarchy of needs, with basic physiological
needs at the foundation and higher-level self-
actualization needs at the pinnacle.
• Understanding Maslow’s hierarchy is crucial
for healthcare professionals, particularly
nurses, as it forms the basis for effectively
identifying and addressing patients’ needs.

5. The Five Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs
Physiological Needs
• At the bottom of the pyramid, you’ll see
physiological needs, which take precedence
over all other requirements.
• These encompass fundamental elements
essential for human survival, such as oxygen,
fluids, nutrition, shelter, and elimination.
• In a healthcare context, ensuring that patients’
physiological needs are met is the highest
priority, as these are the building blocks of
overall well-being.

6. Safety Needs
• The next level of prioritization involves safety
and security needs.
• These needs encompass both physical and
psychological safety.
• Patients should feel physically safe in their
environment, free from harm or danger.
Psychological safety is equally vital, as
individuals often seek safety before
addressing any other needs.
• This level includes concepts like law and
order, shelter, employment, and health
security.

7. Love/Belonging Needs
• The third tier pertains to the need for
social relationships and a sense of
belonging.
• It involves the desire for acceptance
and connection with others.
• Examples of these needs include
relationships with family members,
friendships, social connections, and
intimate relationships.
• Addressing these needs is essential for
promoting emotional well-being.

8. Esteem Needs
• As patients progress up the hierarchy, esteem
needs become more significant.
• These needs encompass the desire for outer
acceptance, recognition, status, respect, and
the need to feel useful.
• They are particularly relevant once the
lower-level needs are adequately met.
• Fulfilling esteem needs promotes a sense of
self-worth, confidence, and accomplishment.

9. Self-Actualization Needs
• At the pinnacle of Maslow’s Hierarchy are
self-actualization needs, which can only
be fully realized once all other needs have
been satisfied.
• Self-actualization involves reaching one’s
full potential, focusing on personal
growth, creativity, and problem-solving
capabilities.
• Encouraging individuals to be their best
selves and pursue their unique talents and
aspirations aligns with self-actualization
needs.

10. Conclusion
• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in nursing care is to remind nurses that
an individual’s fundamental needs need to be met before they should
try to achieve any higher-level needs. Additionally, people involved in
patient care should be aware that every individual has needs that must
be fulfilled in order to survive and preserve their physical and mental
health. As such, an illness, an accident, or advanced age may prevent
an individual from fulfilling their needs, and thus, the individual may
require assistance from a health care professional.