What is the Role of a Certified Nurse Coach ?
JW is a 49-year-old male. JW was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. After seeing his provider, JW has a new set of prescriptions to take, along with some vague directions on eating better and being more physically active.
AH is a 24- year-old female. She has recently had a miscarriage, her second. AH is finding it difficult to concentrate at work. She states that her marriage is strained and that the activities that used to bring her joy no longer do so.
EG is a 28-year-old female. EG has just received a promotion at the hospital where she works. EG is excited about the promotion and also concerned. She understandably wants to succeed in her new role.
What do these three patients have in common? They can all benefit from the services of a certified nurse coach. What exactly is it that a certified nurse coach can do?
Certified nurse coaches undergo training and sit a board exam to receive their certification. A nurse coach assesses a patient from a holistic standpoint and works with the patient to achieve the goals identified by the patient.
As an example, a nurse coach working with JW, our patient that is newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes would begin the first coaching session by assessing all areas of JW’s health. Upon completion of the assessment, the nurse coach would work with JW and ask questions to help him identify his concerns and health care goals. At the end of the first, as well as at the end of each session of coaching, the nurse coach and JW together determine what actions he will take prior to the next coaching session.
Each subsequent session begins with a review of goals, and a celebration of any achievements. A certified nurse coach understands that the path to wellness is not a straight line. As such, if setbacks are encountered, the coach and the client work together to determine a new plan. The work in these sessions must be done by the client in order for the goal to be attained. The nurse coach holds space as the client progresses on their wellness journey.
Typically a certified nurse coach and client will meet once a week. Although this meeting may be face to face, it is often done via phone. A nurse coach may provide a summary to clients following a coaching session. The summary will help the client and the coach to track the client’s progress as the sessions progress.
A certified nurse coach is a guide, allowing clients to determine the course of action they will take. The nurse coach commits to asking the tough questions as a means of allowing the client to dig deep and discover the barriers, and opportunities that are on the client’s path to a healthier, more fulfilling life.