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Web site spotlight: Explore the benefits of life coaching

Nurse Leader Weekly, September 22, 2008

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by Phyllis Quinlan, RNC, MS, CLNC, CEN, CCRN

Nurses are amazing individuals. Their nature is to be present and available to others. They enjoy a sense of personal and professional satisfaction from working with people, when those people are most vulnerable. This is a quality that should be honored and nurtured, but is all too often disrespected, leaving nurses feeling confused and drained.

Many nurses are poised to exit the profession via retirement. Others are actively exploring career alternatives. Dysfunctional work environment issues coupled with the demand of addressing the ongoing challenges within the healthcare industry contribute to the current retention crisis. There are no simple or quick solutions. So my question becomes while we work toward an answer, what are you doing to care for yourself?

A healthy option

Many nurses are now turning to professional life coaching for direction and a sense of empowerment. Utilizing the services of a life coach is a growing option for those who wish to effectively manage life's challenges. Coaching is different from mentoring in that it is a self-development process, not a grooming process for a specific position. A life coach can offer nurses the needed support to effectively strengthen personal and professional relationships, improve focus, and achieve goals. Some issues which nurses have successfully addressed via 1:1 coaching include:

• Increasing motivation levels
• Improving specific relationships
• Improving time management and organizational skills
• Working through perceived obstacles and coping with change
• Increasing confidence and self esteem
• Dealing effectively with conflict
• Adopting a more positive approach to life

Editor's note: This excerpt was adapted from the article, "Inside life coaching: Care for yourself, care for others" featured in The Reading Room on HCPro's new online resource center, www.StrategiesforNurseManagers.com. Get a free trial membership that will give you 30 days to test drive all the exciting features on the Web site.

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