The Nurse as Coach: Building High Performing Teams

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Organizational Psychology
• Leadership Studies

Background:

• Modern healthcare in the US faces significant workforce challenges and distress.
• National reports highlight the need for innovative solutions to support healthcare professionals.
• Coaching is identified as a transformative skill for high-stress environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the practice of coaching as a mindset and skill in healthcare.
• To provide guidance and tools for nurse leaders to implement coaching.
• To enhance nurse well-being and contribute to a resilient healthcare culture.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of coaching principles and their application in healthcare settings.
• Analysis of a coaching mindset characterized by trust, deep listening, and curiosity.
• Guidance on employing powerful questions and sustaining emotional integrity.

Main Results:

• Coaching fosters self-understanding, strengths deployment, improved relational strategies, and moral clarity for nurses.
• A coaching mindset shifts practice from 'telling' to 'asking,' empowering nurses with innovative solutions.
• Leaders can utilize coaching to navigate system complexities and foster an environment where nurses flourish.

Conclusions:

• Coaching is a potent strategy for nurse leaders to address workforce distress.
• Implementing a coaching mindset empowers nurses, enhances workplace well-being, and builds a resilient healthcare culture.
• The practice of coaching is essential for thriving in complex healthcare systems.