Entry Level Baccalaureate Nursing Students as Health Coaches

Background: Nursing has traditionally focused on providing client education as the primary way to improve health, but unhealthy choices remain a primary source of morbidity and mortality. There is a growing interest in using client initiated visions and plans to behavior change, known as health coaching, but little is known about the effectiveness of student nurses in the role of coach. The purpose of this pilot project was to integrate health coaching into a new population-based clinical course for beginning baccalaureate nursing students at a large Midwestern University and evaluate the outcomes.  

Method: This project used an exploratory case study design. After initial training on health coaching, the faculty provided 60 entry-level students a lecture on the basics of health and wellness, stages of change, and health coaching. The students were given guidelines to follow when working with a willing participant of their choice over a six-week period. Sessions were summarized on coaching notes and reflections were shared during weekly discussions. Data from the coaching notes, discussion sessions, course evaluations, and faculty feedback were triangulated to gain a holistic understanding of the project.

Results: Data revealed themes of acting as an educator, enabler, or judge with few students acting as coach.  As a whole students, had unrealistic expectations for behavior change in the provided time frame. Barriers included preparedness both from faculty and students.

Conclusions: While this project showed promise, future revisions should include giving the students clearer guidance selecting a participant, adjusting the time frame, and providing specific feedback.