Implementing Health Coaching on a Rural College Campus

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe how health coaching can become a part of the culture of a rural college campus.

Specific Aims:  Describe ways in which students who are learning to become health coaches can assist faculty, staff, and students to make desired health behavior changes.

Method:  Students enrolled in the Health Coaching didactic/practicum course invited interested members of the faculty, staff, and student body to join with them in this learning experience. Students learn health coaching skills and participating members of the faculty, staff, and student body learn ways to effect positive behavior changes. 

Results: Approximately 40 students and 80 members of the faculty, staff, and student body have participated in the health coaching sessions. Current information suggests that this has been a positive experience for all involved, although recruitment can be somewhat of a challenge.

Implications for practice: Using student nurses as beginning health coaches on a rural college campus provides excellent learning experience for the students, and environment for desired behavior change for faculty, staff, and students, and can be used to influence a positive culture change for all involved.