The importance of being humble.

ABSTRACT

Scholarly work in philosophy, positive psychology, and other applied disciplines reconceptualize humility as an important element of reflection, change, and growth, but the change has not been mirrored in the nursing literature. Humility has a rich heritage and may be an implicit but fundamental construct in nursing. The value of humility for nursing education and practice rests in its conceptual basis for strategies that are currently being used. It is on the ground of humility that self-reflection, response to weaknesses and accomplishments, and our orientation to relationships should rest.