Nurse Coaching - Holistic Nursing

Louise Mooney, RN

Are you suffering from bedside burnout and would like to transition into a more flexible workplace? Have you heard the term 'Nurse Coach' but don't actually know what it means? Are you interested in a career where you get to spend quality time with your patients and allow them to have a voice in their own health and wellbeing? This article explores these questions and discusses an evolving role for nurses who want to practice in a more holistic environment.

So what exactly is a Nurse Coach?

A professional Nurse Coach according to Hess et al., 2013, is a "registered nurse who integrates coaching competencies into any setting or specialty area of practice to facilitate a process of change or development that assists individuals or groups to realize their potential.” Still Confused? Well, to put it a bit simpler, a Nurse Coach uses his or her training and experience to guide patients (clients), to lead healthy lives and make the best lifestyle choices to suit them. This is achieved through a variety of techniques such as Deep Listening, Motivational Interviewing and Open-ended Questions. More on these effective tools later. The Nurse Coach takes a whole-person approach placing emphasis on the mind-body-spirit connection within their client. In addition, cultural, social and emotional aspects play a significant part with the client being viewed as a unique, individual being.

What do Nurse Coaches do and where do they work?

Nurse Coaches can find work in a variety of different settings. They may lead a group session for individuals who want to stop smoking, lose weight, or have more control over their diabetes. They may teach mindfulness meditation to patients dealing with chronic pain, give stress reduction classes to cancer patients, or provide grief counseling. A Nurse Coach can also see clients on a one-to-one basis either in a hospital or clinic setting or from the comfort of their own home via video conferencing. The latter proved to be invaluable during the pandemic and many nurses love the freedom and flexibility this option still continues to provide.

Many Nurse Coaches prefer to find a niche where they have a special interest. They will work with that specific group, say postpartum mothers dealing with the stress of a new baby, or older patients with Alzheimer's. They may work only with obese clients or people with a chronic illness. On the other hand, some Nurse Coaches will work in a more general capacity guiding clients with healthy lifestyle choices, including nutrition advice, stress reduction techniques, exercise plans, and healthy sleep schedules. This is a career with endless opportunities!

What does a typical Coaching Session Involve?

Nurse Coaching is rooted in the belief that clients know deep within themselves what works best for them, and the coaching session is based around a collaborative relationship of trust and positive encouragement. An emphasis is placed on the client's strengths, and together coach and client will explore various options which have worked in the past to achieve desired goals. A typical coaching session may involve setting up S.M.A.R.T goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-lined) which the client can work towards to accomplish a favorable outcome.

The Nurse Coach will use deep listening skills where they are fully present with the client and will resist the desire to 'fix' them. They will ask open-ended and skillful questions which allow the client to properly explore how they feel. Over time the client will begin to feel empowered and start to have a sense that they are in control of their own health and wellness goals.

Another tool that is often used during a coaching session is Motivational Interviewing. The Nurse Coach guides the client to explore ways in which they can positively change their behavior and work through hurdles of ambivalence and resistance. For instance, the client may indicate that they know they need to exercise but claim they don't have the time. Through skillful practice the Nurse Coach can guide them through to committing to exercising for 20 minutes a day. This is a huge step forward in the process.

How Do I Become a Nurse Coach?

Nurse Coaching is a rapidly evolving career, and as our population gets sicker while healthcare costs climb, there is never a better time to train in this area of Nursing. So, what ultimately, does this involve? If you want to explore this career opportunity further, you only have to type 'Nurse Coaching' into Google and a wealth of information will pop up. There are a variety of courses widely available with the flexibility of studying online.

Personally, after doing my homework on the subject at the start of the Covid outbreak back in March 2020, I decided to go with the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy. I can't speak highly enough about this course and I enjoyed it immensely. There are other courses available which get great reviews too. It's just a matter of choice. Make sure to double-check it is specifically for trained nurses and that you will get CEUs on completion.

As Nurse Coaching gains popularity, there are many social media groups such as facebook and Instagram where novice Nurse Coaches can share their experiences and resources. I also found these invaluable and a great way to connect with like-minded aspiring coaches willing to give advice and answer many questions. Another great plus from completing a Nurse Coach Certification Program is that you can sit an examination to become Board Certified through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC). Many Nurse Coaches like to have NC-BC after their name to give them additional credibility.

Summary

With the rise of obesity, heart disease and chronic illness, our population is getting sicker and fatter. Many illnesses in our modern world are preventable and can be managed with improved nutrition, exercise and stress reduction to name but a few lifestyle changes. It is the Nurse Coach's role to guide people to make better choices enabling them to gain control over their health and wellbeing and in turn live happier, longer lives.

References

Nurse Coaching - Integrative Approaches for Health and Wellbeing : Barbara Montgomery Dossey, Susan Luck, Bonney Gulino Schaub

Integrative Nurse Coach Academy

American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation

Nurse Coaching - Holistic Nursing

So what exactly is a Nurse Coach?

What do Nurse Coaches do and where do they work?

What does a typical Coaching Session Involve?

How Do I Become a Nurse Coach?

Summary

About Louise Mooney, RN

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