Coaching Nurses Toward Finding Wholeness along their Career Paths

How One Nurse's Coaching Sessions Support Clients in Finding Balance

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, a nurse coach shares how she guides her clients into finding their ideal careers. We also feature the latest job opportunities in your region, ICE hospital visits, health insurance for young adults, and ACA for Floridians.

But first, we'd say we hope you enjoyed the long weekend but we know better 😬...

Nurse Spotlight: Kate Buckley, RN HWNC-BC Holistic Nurse Career Coach

What I do for work

I am a holistic nurse coach based in Indiana, trained to assist individuals in their overall wellness. While I specialize in coaching nurses, my expertise extends to anyone seeking guidance in their health, life, or career. My approach involves helping nurses discover the career path that aligns with their lives, health, and overall vocational goals. I provide guidance on how these areas interrelate and support individuals in discovering their ideal career paths or enhancing their current roles with effective practices and boundaries, helping them achieve life balance. My goal is to partner with my clients in achieving happiness and wholeness in both their careers and personal lives. I provide individual and group coaching and also workshops. My coaching sessions are done over Zoom or in person; it all depends on their individual preference.

How I got here

Nursing was actually a second degree for me. After receiving my bachelor's in nursing. I started working in 2010 as an inpatient cardiac nurse in a cardiac step-down unit. I enjoyed that a lot. Then I did some travel nursing out on the West Coast. When I came back to Indiana, I transitioned into becoming a nurse analyst, which I worked in for several years. Then, I went into chronic care management, doing case management education for patients who have chronic conditions. I decided to switch back into analyst work because it worked better with my childcare responsibilities. So, I did that for about another four years. But in that time, I thought, there has to be some way for me to marry my love of supporting people and partnering with individuals in my nursing profession. At the time, I had actually hired a nurse coach to help me with some health issues that I was working through. And as I worked with her, I thought, 'this is wonderful; I think I could do this.' So I started a nurse coaching program in October of 2023, and I graduated from that in early 2024. I learned a lot, and I launched a private practice after that. My experience as a nurse analyst gave me the confidence to teach others and help healthcare staff process emotions during difficult times. As a case manager, I guided my patients through similar emotional challenges. Those roles helped me develop the skills necessary for my current practice.

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More on Kate Buckley

A day in my life

After I wake up and do my morning routine, I get my daughter to school, and then I either have one or two coaching calls. These calls are usually over Zoom if the person is not physically in Indiana. Even if they are, it’s easier for most people to meet over Zoom. My calls are typically an hour long. I usually have some time between calls just to rest and complete my documentation. I then take a lunch break, where I like to go for a walk, read, or listen to podcasts to inform myself about coaching knowledge or things to do with having or building a business. Then, often in the afternoon, I will have a meeting with a colleague where we compare notes. At times, I’ll meet with my support group- it’s kind of like a master mind of nurse coaches to discuss all things coaching. After that, I’ll pick up my daughter from school. I’ll do dinner in the evenings, then usually after my daughter goes to bed, I’m reaching out to potential clients just to let them know what I do, see if they have any questions, and schedule any appointments with them.

What I find most rewarding about my job

I find it most rewarding when a client tells me that talking to me has helped them clarify their next path. The underlying tenet of nurse coaching is that we are all whole beings, and we really have the answers inside of us. So, coaching isn't teaching. Coaching isn't me telling you what to do. A lot of times it's just holding space. Holding up a mirror, reflecting your own words back to you, and helping you find the answers. I hear truly on a weekly basis, “now I know what to do,” or “now I know my next step,” or “now I know my path,” and I love seeing that, because it wasn't me that told somebody their next step, it was just our conversation, and allowing them to verbally process it, that helped them understand where they're going next.

My self-care routine (or what I do for fun, or to relax)

I love to swim. I love to walk and take hikes. I really like relaxing in saunas. I think that's very beneficial to my health. My morning routine is pretty important to me. I aim to start my day off with intention. If I get up at the same time my daughter does, and I launch into my day without intention, things don't unfold as well for me. So, I like to start my day with journaling, some mindfulness, and some reading that is either educational or deepens my spirituality. Last but not least, I love spending time with my family and friends. Those are my favorite things to do.

Headlines in Healthcare

ICE visits hospitals and patients

Immigration agents are increasingly visiting California hospitals when detained individuals need medical care, creating confusion among staff and patients. This presence raises concerns about privacy and instills fear in immigrant communities, deterring them from seeking medical help.

Why some young adults dread turning 26

The Affordable Care Act generally requires young adults to transition off their parents' health insurance at 26 years of age and obtain their own coverage. This shift has created an "insurance cliff" as many experience a steep drop in coverage. Moreover, policy changes like cuts to Medicaid eligibility may further complicate the situation for these young adults.

Florida's impending insurance crisis

By 2026, about 2.2 million Floridians might lose their health insurance as the enhanced premium tax credit under the Affordable Care Act nears expiration. Florida faces a potential healthcare crisis if Congress fails to renew these credits, necessitating immediate action to avert collapse.

Meet the author:
Renee DLamini
(RN, BSN, Writer)

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