Though I feel very strongly about self-care and advocate and encourage nursing students with me for their mental health clinicals, I do not feel it should be mandated into nursing program curriculum. There is so much already mandated in the nursing programs. Where would another up to 10 hours be placed? And no more than 10 hours, does that mean it can also be 1 hour or even 30 min?
We do discuss self-care in our programs. I provide free apps for nurse self-care handouts to students, which I received during the ANA nursing burn-out series. I tell them if we are not at our best, we cannot give our best. Self-care is personal and there are so many things that it could include. I feel adding this mandate may have the reverse effect and cause nursing students more stress. Prior to starting my ADN program many years ago, the college provided an orientation that did discuss this. Also, when I do discuss self-care-it seems there are some that really look like they feel it is important and others look at me like I have 3 heads and seem very disinterested. Again-this is something very personal.
Thank you.