Results of a national survey of certified nurse coaches with implications for advanced practice nurses

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evidence suggests that nurse-coaching can improve health outcomes, but application of this skill is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to describe the practices of nurse coaches including their work settings, clients/health conditions, motivations behind becoming certified as coaches, and the personal benefits experienced by nurse coaches. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was emailed to certified nurse coaches (n = 315); 164 completed the survey, including 68 (41.5%) advanced practice nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent conditions seen by coaches included the following: anxiety/stress (n = 39, 27.1%), cardiometabolic conditions (n = 24, 16.7%), and pain (n = 20, 13.9%). Coaching varied in frequency, method (individual versus group), and mode (in-person, by phone, or electronically). Participants became coaches to gain skills for enhancing their practice, deliver care that fits with their values and philosophy, meet personal needs (starting a private practice and improve their own self-care), attain credentials/validation, and empower others. The majority agreed/strongly agreed that since becoming a nurse coach, their own interpersonal relationships (80.3%), health/health behaviors (84.8%), and job satisfaction (70.7%) improved. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurse practitioners may be strategically situated to provide coaching and have the knowledge and skills needed to intervene with medically complex, at-risk populations.