title: Support groups: an empowering, experiential strategy.
abstract: The authors describe a student-facilitated support group experience initiated at student request and designed for RN-BSN students. Students report they emerged enlightened about group theory, empowered to share their knowledge of groups, and energized to initiate groups in their work settings. If educators make the learning experience safe, practice letting go and being vigilant, and celebrate group successes, students learn how to initiate, facilitate, and terminate small groups.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, University of Hartford, USA.
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Scales
mesh_terms: D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000379:methods*; D006126:Group Processes; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009742:Nursing Theory; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*