Innovative Workshop Helps Traumatized California Nurses Heal Through Dance and Storytelling

In the face of ongoing challenges in the healthcare industry, nurses are seeking innovative ways to cope with the emotional toll of their work.

A recent study from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing revealed that approximately 100,000 nurses left the profession during the pandemic, with projections suggesting that a further 900,000 could go by 2027. Amidst this crisis, Denver-based nurse Tara Rynders has devised an unconventional solution to help nurses heal and reconnect.

Rynders, an RN with two decades of experience, has created the Clinic workshop, which she launched in 2017. This unique program is designed to help nurses cope with secondary trauma stress, compassion fatigue, and chronic burnout. The Clinic allows nurses to express their emotions and experiences through dance, storytelling, and shared community.

Inspiration for the Workshop

Rynders' inspiration for the Clinic came from her journey of grief and healing. After losing her mother, Rynders found solace and expression in dance, which she studied formally. This experience and her near-death experience during childbirth made her realize the need to shift how healthcare professionals cope with emotional stress.

The workshop begins with playful exercises to create a comfortable environment, followed by storytelling sessions and culminating in a dance circle. This emotional release, Rynders says, often leads to tears, laughter, and a sense of shared experience.

Related: New Nursing Certificate May Fill Need for Practical Nurses

The impact of the Clinic has been profound. One participant, Charlene Johnson, said the workshop provided a space to decompress and rejuvenate. Rynders believes that the Clinic offers an innovative solution for hospitals to support their teams and address the ongoing crisis of nurse burnout.

As the healthcare industry grapples with the aftermath of the pandemic, initiatives like the Clinic highlight the importance of emotional support and community in healing.

Rynders' innovative approach serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that there are ways to find resilience, connection, and joy even in the face of adversity.

This news was originally reported by The San Franciso Standard.