Using Narratives to Enhance Nursing Practice and Leadership: What Makes a Good Nurse?

Storytelling is an ancient practice that has functioned to maintain history, deepen empathy and understanding, and empower groups and individuals. Unfortunately, nurses are not encouraged to share their stories of contributions to patient care. In this article, 3 nurses share stories about learning to be good nurses, even while going against long-held nursing ideals. The authors argue that narratives can lead to a deeper understanding of nursing as a practice and discipline. The authors also contend that narratives facilitate the empowerment in nurses and patients using narratives; nurses recognize their power and facilitate their patients' recognition of power.