Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Healthcare Education

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as applied to healthcare education and nursing prioritization.

Abraham Maslow

A psychologist who wrote a theory of motivation called Motivation & Theory.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A set of needs that must be gratified starting from the most basic, where one can move to the next level only once the current level's needs are met.

Physiologic needs

Innate needs required for daily survival that humans unconsciously strive to fulfill, including food, water, shelter, and sleep.

Safety needs

The level involving physical and financial security, job security, shelter, and being free from fear and anxiety.

Love & Belonging

Also called the social needs stage, it includes interaction with family, friends, work, intimacy, and a sense of belonging.

Self Esteem

The stage involving social status, recognition, and reputation that begins once a person feels they belong to a family or group.

Self Actualization

The stage of reaching full potential characterized by continuous growth, self-challenge, and self-acceptance.

Application to Nursing

The use of Maslow's hierarchy to help with prioritizing patients’ needs, such as addressing the need for air and food first.