Mindfulness-Based Self-Care for Forensic Nurses: A Professional Lifestyle Approach

Abstract

Forensic nurses providing care to patients who are victims or offenders of abuse, trauma, or violence often face enormous challenges in their daily practice, leading to emotional stress, vicarious traumatization, and burnout, and potentially reducing the quality of patient care. Embracing mindfulness as an ongoing method of self-care can have an array of benefits for forensic nurses to prevent burnout and improve their well-being and quality of patient care. Existing literature supports the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions, as self-care practices, in improving many positive health outcomes among nurses working in a variety of healthcare settings. Mindfulness qualities, such as open awareness, attention to detail, nonjudgment, emotional regulation, compassion, and empathy, can contribute to forensic nurses' well-being and the quality of patient care. Mindfulness is a way of living; thus, formal and informal mindful self-care tools integrated into daily nursing practice can result in better outcomes and work satisfaction among nurses. This article discusses the potential benefits of mindfulness and practical ways to integrate mindfulness tools into forensic nursing practice. Incorporating mindful self-care practices should be a goal for consideration for the contemporary forensic nursing profession at large. Further intervention research is recommended to identify the mechanism of how mindfulness can benefit forensic nurses practicing in highly challenging work environments.