Purpose: The purpose of integrating the SVP program was for students completing their final semester in the nursing program and before entering into the practice of nursing to reflect on what it means to be a nurse.
Importance: Integration of the SVP into the final semester of the nursing curriculum provided a culminating experience for students to make the connection to nursing as a calling and vocation. The program’s emphasis on reflection supported the core concept of the nurse viewing her/himself as an instrument of healing. This paper describes how this innovative component (SVP) was integrated as a two day SVP seminar into the NURS 4356 Holistic Leadership course.
Implementation:The Sacred Vocation Seminar was adapted to be two-day seminar to serve as a culminating experience addressing nursing as a healing ministry as students prepare for transition into professional practice. The SVP was integrated into the student’s final semester of the nursing curriculum as a culminating experience for nursing students. The SVP distinct focus was on the compassionate healing ministry nourished by the core values of the Basilian Fathers: Goodness, Discipline, Knowledge, and Community. Students were asked to write a paper at the end of the seminar that reflected their philosophy of creating a healing environment where patients, family and employees can find meaning and purpose. The reflective process piece was included so that students could begin to develop a nurturing spirit into the care and management of patients. During the two day experience, students gathered to tell their stories.
Conclusion: The SVP seminar encouraged our nursing students to reflect on their calling and what it means to be a nurse. The SVP seminar operated as a literal “time-out” in the lives of our senior nursing students as they shared the life experiences they will bring as they enter the healing ministry of nursing. The SVP seminar helped our students reflect on the practice of nursing as a sacred calling, and emphasized reflection while supporting the core concept of the nurse as an instrument of healing. Integration of the school's holistic philosophy into students own personal nursing philosophy, provided a culminating experience for nursing students, and provided them with a renewed perspective, and a commitment to creating healing environments. It was amazing to listen to our student and hear how this experience nurtured their spirit so that they can nurture their patients.