
Here is a little bit more about Rose and her story:
My journey as a nurse coach began around 2014. A colleague of mine met Dr. Linda Bark and invited her to provide a weekend class about coaching at our hospital. As a nurse, I was used to family and friends coming to me and asking for advice on all sorts of health issues; I had no idea what this coaching stuff was all about. I found the class to be very helpful and eye opening. I learned how to set the foundation, co-create the relationship, communicate effectively, facilitate learning and results, and explore different ways of knowing. My life at the time was busy with work and kids, so I put this new learning on the back burner for a bit. Later in 2015, I saw Linda at the AHNA conference. We chatted and she had me hooked. I signed up for the coach training program with Wisdom of the Whole and away I went!
I felt that working full time at the hospital would not really lend itself for me to do coaching outside of work, so I decided coaching was to become a part of my work at the hospital. I was so used to advising and leading patients, families, friends, and staff that I ended up having a big “ah-ha” moment during the coach training. Linda had us picture the coach standing “one step behind and next to the client” to illustrate the coach-client dynamic. This was a game changer. I finally realized, “Gee, I don’t have to have all the answers and solve everyone’s problems!” This was so refreshing and empowering for me! I will admit, it took some practice to break my “expert role” patterns, and I had to practice on using my “I” statements too, but I now encourage people to use “I” (empowerment) language because it keeps each of us accountable.
I am blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to incorporate coaching in my current holistic nurse role. Through the coaching process…click here to continue reading.