“Practice Makes Perfect” International Conference 2007 The Family Nursing Unit: Examining 25 years of Pedagogical Practices in Clinical Learning Janice M. Bell, RN, PhD Lorraine M. Wright, RN, PhD Nancy J. Moules, RN, PhD Brenda I. Paton, RN, PhD University of Calgary

The Family Nursing Unit (FNU), University of Calgary is a unique faculty practice unit focusing on clinical scholarship and advanced nursing practice with families who suffer with serious illness.

Family Nursing Faculty (left to right): Dr. Lorraine Wright, Dr. Janice Bell, and Dr. Nancy Moules

The clinical knowledge developed within this unit is called Family Systems Nursing and has been published and disseminated internationally. (Bell, 2002; Moules, Thirsk, & Bell, 2006; Wright, 2005; Wright, Watson, & Bell, 1990, 1996).

Focus on graduate level learning about how to care for families through the medium of therapeutic conversations between the nurse and family.

Beliefs of Educators about Graduate Level Teaching and Learning of Clinical Practice with Families

Beliefs of Educators 1. We believe that an understanding about multiple realities invites students to a new appreciation of the reciprocity between family dynamics and illness, and allows them to enter into therapeutic conversations in a more curious and less certain manner.

Beliefs of Educators 2. We believe that therapeutic conversations with families are best learned through live supervision of each family session rather than through role playing, process recordings, or case consultation supervision methods.

Beliefs of Educators 3. We believe that a strong base of conceptual/perceptual skills about assessment and intervention with families are required before one is ready to develop executive skills through the clinical application of knowledge to practice.

Beliefs of Educators 4.We believe in the synergy of a clinical team composed of learners at various levels (master’s and doctoral students) and faculty members who share in the responsibility and creativity of the clinical work offered to families.

Beliefs of Educators 5.We believe students learn best in an environment of respect when their strengths are identified and magnified rather than focusing on their limitations and deficiencies.

Beliefs of Educators 6.We believe that being compassionate and caring are qualities that can be brought forth in clinical skill development to soften suffering. Skills such as “deep listening” and “acknowledging suffering” can be learned, which invite healing in individuals and families.

Pedagogical practices of teaching Advanced Nursing Practice in the Specialty of Family Systems Nursing Nancy J. Moules, RN, PhD (Principal Investigator) Janice M. Bell, RN, PhD (Co-investigator) Brenda I. Paton, RN, PhD (Co-investigator) Lorraine M. Wright, RN, PhD (Collaborator) Lorraine M. Thirsk, RN, MN (Research Assistant) The University of Calgary Faculty of Nursing Funding provided by: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

WEB SITES Dr. Janice M. Bell Dr. Lorraine M. Wright Family Nursing Unit Family Nursing Resources

References Bell, J.M. (2002). 20 th Anniversary of the Family Nursing Unit [Editorial]. Journal of Family Nursing, 8(3), Moules, N.J., Thirsk, L.M., & Bell, J.M. (2006). A Christmas without memories: Beliefs about grief and mothering--A clinical case analysis. Journal of Family Nursing, 12(4), Wright, L.M. (2005). Spirituality, suffering, and illness: Ideas for healing. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis. Wright, L.M., Watson, W.L., & Bell, J.M. (1990). The Family Nursing Unit: A unique integration of research, education and clinical practice. In J.M. Bell, W.L. Watson, & L.M. Wright (Eds.), The cutting edge of family nursing (pp ). Calgary, Canada: Family Nursing Unit Publications. Wright, L.M., Watson, W.L., & Bell, J.M. (1996). Beliefs: The heart of healing in families and illness. New York: Basic Books.