Remembrance and Renewal: Health Care Staff Spiritual Self-Care

Abstract

Relationship-based care (RBC), a holistic framework of caring, models partnerships in caring to permeate at levels of patient, provider–self, provider–teams, and community. Remembrance and Renewal (R&R) is a RBC practice addressing spiritual self-care. At a dedicated time and space, R&R is offered monthly, rotating through six different buildings at an academic, medical center. To date, close to 2,000 visits have occurred. Those engaging in the practice express appreciation for the space to grieve and space to renew their spirit. R&R is a RBC practice in alignment with the scope and standards of holistic nursing practice and addresses the Quadruple Aim of improving health care staff’s work–life balance.

Spiritual Health First Aid for Self-Care

“…The Remembrance and Renewal (R & R) practice, part of the holistic relationship-based care framework, can be used by Christian nurses to process the loss of patients or colleagues. Rettig et al (2020) described how R & R self-guided sessions in the workplace are opportunities for nurses to begin to deal with loss and grief through honoring those who have died, and to promote self-healing by renewing their spirit, mind, and body. Nurses can adapt this practice at home as well.…”

Tea for the Soul

“…Remembrance and Renewal (R&R) is a self-guided session that provides time and space for staff to remember patients who died. 19 Provided in an Ohio hospital, this experience involves activities such as candle-lighting, crafts, and expressive writing along with soft music, low lighting, aromatherapy, and guided imagery. The R&R space is rotated among several different buildings.…”

“…In addition to activities focused on staff members' well-being, similar activities provide opportunities to recognize losses. Remembrance and Renewal (R&R) is a self-guided session that provides time and space for staff to remember patients who died 19. Provided in an Ohio hospital, this experience involves activities such as candle-lighting, crafts, and expressive writing along with soft music, low lighting, aromatherapy, and guided imagery.…”

Describing Remembrance & Renewal: A Holistic Self-Care Program

“…The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated grief for oncology healthcare workers creating the necessity for programs and support for holistic well-being (Hernández-Fernández & Meneses-Falcón, 2022; Hlubocky et al, 2021). One such program, Remembrance & Renewal (R&R) (Rettig et al, 2020), is offered monthly at an academic, oncology hospital. R&R sessions provide a holistic, self-guided experience for healthcare workers to remember those who have impacted their lives both personally and professionally, as well as renew their mind, body, and spirit to support resilience and well-being (Rettig et al, 2020).…”

“…One such program, Remembrance & Renewal (R&R) (Rettig et al, 2020), is offered monthly at an academic, oncology hospital. R&R sessions provide a holistic, self-guided experience for healthcare workers to remember those who have impacted their lives both personally and professionally, as well as renew their mind, body, and spirit to support resilience and well-being (Rettig et al, 2020). At the core of this program is the "caring-healing relationship/ partnership with others" (AHNCC, 2017), the caring relationship with patients and their families, the healthcare team, and the healthcare provider as self (Koloroutis, 2004).…”