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

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.

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.

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.

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.