Creating a nursing music program at my hospital.

[SoCal student]

I've been working in acute psychiatric/chemical dependency for about 7 years now and have always considered incorporating music more in my care. I work in a smaller hospital with plenty of autonomy and have been known to bring my guitar in for times when it's slow, playing requests from patients.

My hospital does not currently incorporate music therapy (we used to), and I'm considering putting together a proposal for a program that I can run that is within my scope of practice as an RN. I believe my supervisors would be very responsive to the idea if done within nursing scope/guidelines.

I would like to create a full program that would entail something along the lines of: a weekly/biweekly group on each unit where we listen/reflect on pieces, utilize evidence-based approaches for our geriatric/dementia unit, maybe using smaller groups of patients who play an instrument to create our own music, etc.

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with similar programs being utilized or can point me to any resources. I've googled a ton and haven't come up with much that would be limiting. Of course, I would not refer to this as "music therapy" or represent myself as a "music therapist." Other than that, nurses seem to have free reign in using music therapeutically.

[Nunya, BSN]

My only thought would be to talk to a music therapist for tips.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

10 hours ago, Elaine M said:

My only thought would be to talk to a music therapist for tips.

Yeah, don't recreate the wheel. While you can't call yourself a music therapist, you're essentially going to be facilitating...music therapy.