Content area
Background
As Abraham Maslow asserts, belonging is essential to achieving self-esteem and self-actualization. With increasing numbers of novice nurse burnout and a perceived education-practice gap, promoting a sense of belonging is important to nurses' growth and psychological well-being and should start in nursing school.
Method
An elective course, Belonging in Nursing, was developed to assist undergraduate nursing students in understanding the importance of belonging through narrative pedagogy. Course topics include the concept of belonging, managing moral distress, professional identity and boundaries, and readiness for practice.
Results
Student feedback was positive, including the promotion of belonging in the class through hearing others express their fears and doubts and an increased awareness of moral distress and professional boundaries.
Conclusion
Teaching Belonging in Nursing through narrative pedagogy aids in integrating this vital concept into the undergraduate nursing curriculum. Promoting belonging should start in nursing school and continue into novice nurse practice. [J Nurs Educ. 2025;64(7):e79–e82.]
Details
Course Descriptions;
Teaching Styles;
Nurses;
Nursing Education;
Reflection;
Teaching Methods;
Learning Processes;
Nursing Students;
Professional Identity;
Elective Courses;
Course Objectives;
Concept Teaching;
Security (Psychology);
Professional Development;
Personal Narratives;
Self Esteem;
Course Content;
Burnout;
Story Telling