The Power of Nursing

Abstract

The COVID 19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on nursing and health care delivery systems. Recent research demonstrates a correlation between the stress of providing complex health care and the decline of nurse well-being. Investing in the well-being of nurses can benefit the entire health care system. Educational institutions can play a role in enhancing nurse well-being by incorporating holistic nursing education principles into the curriculum, including reflective practice methods to promote self-awareness and self-care. This may be challenging for some nursing programs, but the Power of Nursing course can help close this gap. This noncommercial course incorporates key elements of holistic nursing including authenticity, empathy, compassion, unconditional acceptance, and self-care; elements not always emphasized in a traditional curriculum. Power of Nursing, offered as an elective in nursing schools or part of nursing residency programs, provides attendees with tools and strategies to boost resilience, strengthen personal commitment to nursing, and increase well-being preparing them to thrive in any health care environment.