Reflection Paper # 3 – Contribution of Life Experience to Self–concept
Purpose:
• To assist students in understanding how significant events in one’s life play a big part in the
person we grow up to be
• To allow students to understand the impact that past experiences, upbringing and
community have on decision making
• To engage in self–reflection as a means of values clarification and self–actualization.
• To better relate to patients through an understanding that identity is influenced by
personal experiences and forms the basis for behavioral expression and interpersonal
reaction to the environment (Arnold & Boggs, 2011)

Learning objectives:
• Describe the impact of personal experiences on self–concept
• Apply understanding of personal self–concept to the patient’s self–concept
• Relate knowledge of the patient’s self–concept to the nurse–patient relationship

Instructions:

• Our collective experiences contribute to the person we have become. Experiences are
internalized from a number of sources: Birth order, how we were treated within the
family, educational experiences, the friends we had, the environment in which we grew
up, etc.

• Think about your experiences from childhood to your current age. What kind of
experiences influenced your life and the person you have become? Not all experiences
are positive but they all have an impact and need to be integrated into our lives.

Describe the significant influences in your life and their influences, both positive and
negative. How have you integrated these experiences into your life and the person you
have become?

• How do you believe your experience(s) can help you in your relationship with patients?
• Write a one page paper describing significant experiences in your life, how you have integrated them into the person you are now and how they contribute to your
relationship with patients.