The Nurse Narratives Initiative (NNI) addresses a growing “crisis in caring” in healthcare by cultivating empathy among nursing students, faculty, and practicing nurses. Many new nurses experience reality shock—the emotional dissonance between what they learned in school and the demands of real-world care. This gap can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and high turnover. NNI’s curriculum supplement, A Framework for Empathy in Nursing, responds directly to this challenge by embedding digital stories and reflective practice into nursing education.
Through the creation and analysis of first-person digital stories, students gain insight into the emotional dimensions of patient care. By listening to stories from nurses, patients, and peers, they develop stronger communication skills, deeper self-awareness, and a renewed sense of purpose in their work.
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Library of Digital Stories. A growing archive of first-person digital stories created by nurses, faculty, patients, and students serves as the foundation for most activities.
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Nurse Reflection Journals. Each activity includes a guided reflection that helps students connect empathy to real-world nursing practice.
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Empathy-Driven Classroom Activities. ETSU College of Nursing faculty collaborated with StoryCollab to design original classroom exercises built around these stories, encouraging analysis, discussion, and emotional engagement.
The supplement was co-created by ETSU College of Nursing faculty and StoryCollab through an iterative process:
Faculty idea sessions to identify learning gaps and opportunities for empathy-focused teaching.
A review of the latest academic research on empathy and digital storytelling in nursing education.
One-on-one collaborations with six faculty members to pilot classroom activities.
A two-day campus workshop where faculty shared and refined activities.
Expansion of custom activities and delivery of a full curriculum supplement for the ETSU College of Nursing.
“Telling this story made me pause and reflect in a way I hadn’t before. It helped me reconnect with the heart of my purpose as both a nurse and an educator. Sharing my story helped me feel more grounded, more grateful, and more confident in continuing to mentor and inspire others who may be navigating similar crossroads.”
-Amber Arsenault, ETSU College of Nursing Assistant Professor
"Telling this story has helped me recognize my own strength and the importance of empathy in healthcare. It reinforced my decision to pursue nursing and made me realize that vulnerability can lead to deeper connections. I now feel even more committed to being a nurse who supports both the physical and emotional needs of patients.”
-Sarah Osei Addae, ETSU College of Nursing Student
“I hope this story helps students recognize the importance of showing compassion to all patients, regardless of their background. It also highlights how we can overcome barriers and still work together towards a common goal.”
-Kacie Hauldren, ETSU College of Nursing Clinical Instructor
Practicing Empathy: Community Healthcare and Digital Storytelling. Students share personal narratives, engage in active listening, and reflect on how empathy strengthens patient care.
Going the Extra Mile: An Empathetic Approach to Pathophysiology. Through analysis of film and digital stories, students examine bias, compassion, and holistic care.