Journal Article

Nursing From Within: A Self-Care Course for Undergraduate Nursing Students

Goodman, Joely, Flott, Elizabeth A., Woodward, Trevor, Young, Christine M., Williams, Jacqueline R., Ball, Sarah J.

2025

Overview

Background The demanding nature of clinical work can adversely affect nursing professionals, especially without effective self-care strategies to manage stress. Research suggests undergraduate nursing programs should provide education to increase competence regarding self-care. Method A course was developed by nursing faculty aimed at teaching self-care strategies to undergraduate nursing students to help them reduce stress and integrate these practices into their future professional routine. The course focused on evidence-based strategies centered around gratitude, mindfulness, and self-forgiveness. Results Students learned and practiced self-care techniques to minimize stress and its negative effects. Anecdotal and course evaluation feedback received from faculty and students was positive. Nurse educators are encouraged to incorporate similar approaches in their curricula to foster self-care practices among students. Conclusion Future implications include determining whether self-care techniques affect student performance in didactic and clinical work, and investigating the long-term effects of self-care practices as students transition to the nursing role.

• Publisher: SLACK Incorporated,Slack, Inc,SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subject: Activities of daily living / Class Size / Cognitive Processes / College Faculty / Course Content / Course Evaluation / Curriculum / Curriculum Design / Diaries / Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - methods / Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - organization & administration / Elective Courses / Experiential Learning / Grouping (Instructional Purposes) / Health aspects / Humans / Integrated Curriculum / Job Satisfaction / Learning / Learning Activities / Medical errors / Mindfulness / Negative Attitudes / Nurses / Nursing care / Nursing education / Nursing Education Research / Nursing Students / Periodicals / Professionals / Psychological aspects / Scaffolding (Teaching Technique) / Self Care - methods / Self-care, Health / Stress / Stress Management / Student Characteristics / Student Motivation / Student Participation / Student writing / Students, Nursing - psychology / Study and teaching / Time / Undergraduate Students / Well Being