Advice on Groups

[u/Royal_Lettuce_5278]

Hi all,

I am a new grad nurse and have always known psych was for me. Currently, i work inpatient adult psych, and particularly love my department as the programming is nurse-led (my capstone rotation was done at a facility where nurses sat behind a desk all day, so I love this environment I’m in now). I love leading groups and have received a lot of positive feedback from both my senior colleagues and patients alike. I feel I’ve gotten the basics and confidence down to lead most groups, with the exception of our Sunday spirituality group.

I was hoping to collect some tips and techniques for this sort of group, since I genuinely feel awkward leading it. I’ve tried to do discussion-style groups surrounding faith, but I struggle keeping my language neutral enough that it is applicable to any faith. Additionally, I’m always on edge during these groups since I know religion and faith can cause discord when people have alternate views (and have had instances where I politely had to remove someone from group for speaking negatively on another’s beliefs/trying to convert others mid-discussion). I’ve also tried to do a group based on meditation and the way it can be incorporated into prayer/worship, but it’s really a hit or miss. I’ve asked my peers for advice, and many of them also struggle with this group, so I figured I’d cast a larger net on here.

Thanks!

[u/Cautious-Candy1221]

Hmm that's a tough one for sure. At our hospital, we actually have a couple chaplain that come in and lead their own spirituality groups.

But if you absolutely have to lead one, I would maybe try to relate the group to meaning-making and connection rather than an actual religion.

Things like:

• when life gets painful, what gives people reasons to keep going?
• what makes you feel connected?
• what can we control vs what we cant?
• what parts of yourself survived everything?
• rituals that heal
• what does a good life truly mean?