Date of Award

4-9-2024

Document Type

Restricted Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Michelle K Ullery, DNP, APRN, CNP

Second Advisor

Susanne M. Cutshall, DNP, APRN, CNS

Abstract

Although a majority of mental health problems, including stress, emerge by early adulthood, few young adults can get the support they need. College students are at the forefront of this health concern due to the various stressors during this period of life. Health coaching is a holistic method used to improve health outcomes and lower costs through a supportive partnership between a coach and a client. The purpose of this scholarly project was to determine if access to a health coach could facilitate healthy habits to support students in achieving their health-related goal of decreasing stress. A thorough literature review was completed prior to the implementation of this scholarly project which included stress with college students, health coaching, self-efficacy, and the transpersonal caring relationship. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring was used as a theoretical framework to guide the project. The patient population for implementation of the project included college students in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region who were attending undergraduate or graduate school and were experiencing stress. Ten students were selected and completed the health coaching sessions. Health coaching included two 20–30 minute coaching sessions held via zoom over a three-to-four-week period. The PSS and Wellness Wheel were used as tools to measure health coaching results and guide the coaching sessions. The overall average PSS score decreased by 2.3 points before and after coaching sessions and all students gave positive feedback about the benefits of coaching. Health coaching has the potential to benefit the overall health and wellness of college students who are stressed and can be expanded to other patient populations and health conditions. Therefore, this scholarly project is significant to the future practice of advanced nurse practitioners.

Identifier

SC 11.DNP.2024.Johnson.J

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