Q & A with the Authors
The Art of Mindful Nursing Primer:
A Nurse’s Blueprint for Mastering Life, Advancing Your Career, and Achieving Professional Excellence.
Introduction
Joe: Hi everyone! Welcome to this special conversation about our book, The Art of Mindful Nursing Primer: A Nurse’s Blueprint for Mastering Life, Advancing Your Career, and Achieving Professional Excellence. My name is Joe Kunz, and alongside my wife, Michele, we co-wrote this book as a resource for nurses at every stage of their careers.
Michele: Hi, I’m Michele Kunz. I’ve been a nurse and nursing educator for over 45 years, and I’ve dedicated my career to helping nurses not only succeed but thrive. This book is our way of sharing strategies to help nurses manage stress, reconnect with their purpose, and build a meaningful and sustainable career in nursing.
Joe: For us, this book is deeply personal. Over the years, I’ve seen Michele pour her heart into mentoring nurses and helping them overcome challenges. Writing this book together was a way to bring that passion to life and share it with a wider audience.
Michele: That’s exactly how I feel. Nursing is more than just a job—it’s a calling. But it’s also incredibly demanding, and it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed. This book is meant to be a guide, a source of encouragement, and a reminder that you’re not alone in this journey.
Joe: Let’s dive in, Michele. What inspired you to write this book?
1. The Purpose of the Book
Michele: The inspiration came from a combination of my own experiences and the countless stories I’ve heard from nurses over the years. Nursing is one of the most rewarding professions, but it’s also one of the hardest. I’ve seen so many nurses who started their careers with passion and enthusiasm, only to feel burned out or disconnected as time went on. I wanted to create a resource to help them navigate those challenges and rediscover the joy in their work.
Joe: You’ve always been passionate about helping nurses find that balance between their professional and personal lives.
Michele: I have. Because when nurses are supported—when they feel valued, cared for, and grounded in their purpose—they can give so much more to their patients. This book is about helping nurses take care of themselves so they can continue to provide extraordinary care to others.
Joe: And mindfulness is at the heart of that, isn’t it?
Michele: Absolutely. Mindfulness has been transformative for me personally, and I’ve seen its impact on other nurses as well. It’s about learning to be present, even in the chaos, and finding moments of calm amidst the demands of the job. This isn’t just theory—it’s practical, actionable, and something every nurse can benefit from.
2. On Writing the Book Together
Joe: Writing this book together was a labor of love, wasn’t it? How would you describe the process?
Michele: Collaborative, thoughtful, and deeply rewarding. We started with big-picture discussions—what we wanted the book to accomplish, who we were writing it for, and the core messages we wanted to convey. From there, we started building it section by section.
Joe: For me, it was about making sure everything we included felt meaningful and useful. Whether it was a mindfulness exercise, a story from the field, or practical advice, we wanted every word to resonate with nurses.
Michele: And for me, it was about making sure the book was relatable. I wanted nurses to read it and feel like it was written just for them, that it spoke to their experiences and challenges.
Joe: I think what made the process so fulfilling was our shared goal. We weren’t just writing a book—we were creating something we hoped would truly make a difference.
3. Expanding on Mindful Nursing
Joe: For those who aren’t familiar, what exactly is mindful nursing, and why does it matter so much?
Michele: Mindful nursing is about being fully present in your work. It’s about connecting with your patients, tuning into your own emotions, and managing stress in a way that allows you to show up as your best self. It matters because nursing is one of the most emotionally and physically demanding professions out there. Without mindfulness, it’s easy to lose yourself in the demands of the job.
Joe: How do you see mindfulness changing the way nurses approach their work?
Michele: I think it allows nurses to approach their work with greater intention and compassion. Instead of just going through the motions, mindfulness helps them connect with the “why” behind their work. It also gives them tools to navigate tough moments and stay grounded, even in high-stress situations.
Joe: What’s one simple mindfulness technique a nurse could try during a busy shift?
Michele: The “Pause and Breathe” exercise is a great one. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just take a moment—wherever you are—and take three deep breaths. Focus on the rhythm of your breathing and let yourself reset before moving forward.
4. Addressing Challenges in Nursing
Joe: Burnout is such a huge issue in nursing. How can mindfulness help?
Michele: Burnout often comes from feeling overwhelmed, undervalued, or disconnected from your purpose. Mindfulness helps by bringing you back to the present moment and giving you tools to manage stress and reconnect with what matters most. It’s not a cure-all, but it’s a powerful foundation for resilience.
Joe: What role does resilience play in the lives of nurses?
Michele: It’s everything. Nursing is emotionally demanding, and resilience is what allows you to keep going, even after the hardest days. Mindfulness builds resilience by helping you process emotions, focus on what you can control, and let go of what you can’t.
5. Real-Life Stories from the Book
Joe: One of my favorite parts of the book is the real-life stories you included. Can you share one?
Michele: There’s a story about a new nurse who was struggling with confidence. She felt like she wasn’t doing enough, even though she was giving it her all. I introduced her to a simple mindfulness exercise—just taking 30 seconds to focus on her breath. Over time, she started using mindfulness regularly, and it completely changed her perspective. She began to see her worth and realized she didn’t have to be perfect to make a difference.
Joe: That’s such a powerful reminder for nurses. Every little moment of care they give matters.
6.Closing Thoughts
Joe: We’ve covered so much today. Michele, if there’s one message you want readers to take away, what would it be?
Michele: I want nurses to know they’re not alone. You are the heart of healthcare, and your well-being matters. This book is a reminder that taking care of yourself is not just important—it’s essential to the incredible work you do.
Joe: If you’re a nurse—or know a nurse—this book is for you. It’s a resource, a guide, and a source of encouragement for the challenges and joys of nursing.
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