Bonnie Raingruber1. 1. California State University, Sacramento, California, USA. bonnie.raingruber@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Abstract
TOPIC: Does writing and reading poetry help nurse-therapists, students, and clients reflect on significant meanings and gain a greater understanding of intense clinical situations? PURPOSE: To describe the use of poetry in managing intense feelings, discuss the relevant literature, articulate how students and clients responded to the use of poetry, and address the limitations of such an approach. SOURCES: Published literature, clinical expertise, and poems written by the author. CONCLUSIONS: Writing and reading poetry helps clinicians, students, and clients give voice to situations that touch their hearts. Poetry and literature should be used more extensively in clinical and educational settings.
TOPIC: Does writing and reading poetry help nurse-therapists, students, and clients reflect on significant meanings and gain a greater understanding of intense clinical situations? PURPOSE: To describe the use of poetry in managing intense feelings, discuss the relevant literature, articulate how students and clients responded to the use of poetry, and address the limitations of such an approach. SOURCES: Published literature, clinical expertise, and poems written by the author. CONCLUSIONS: Writing and reading poetry helps clinicians, students, and clients give voice to situations that touch their hearts. Poetry and literature should be used more extensively in clinical and educational settings.