Learning Objective #1: Describe some of the barriers for nurses in learning to care for self

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the importance of self-care activities for creating balance to enhance health and well-being

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The purpose of this workshop is to present findings of a qualitative research study focusing on nurses’ journey to enhancing self-care. Nurses spend the majority of their career caring for patients with the goal of helping patients to achieve health and healing. However, nurses often neglect their own health and well-being. This research is based on the outcome of a course titled "Caring for Self" taught at a large public university to nurses and other baccalaureate students. This 15-week elective course introduces students to a wide variety of complementary and health promoting activities to enhance health and well-being. The course is widely experiential and encourages students to experience a variety of health promoting activities including massage therapy, aromatherapy, meditation and yoga. The connection between complementary therapies activities and health is emphasized. Course requirements included weekly journaling and "artistic dates". After IRB approval and assurance of confidentiality, a sample size of 80 was obtained. Qualitative analysis of student journal summaries and formal written assignments reveal significant results. A comparison between Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the levels of transitions that occurred for students in this course will be highlighted. Major themes emerging from analysis of the data including transitions, self-awareness and philosophical transformations. Life-altering patterns of self-care will be illuminated during this presentation.