Abstract
For centuries storytelling has been used a powerful communication vehicle. It is also useful in nursing education to enhance self-esteem, develop critical thinking, model behaviors, and to teach cultural sensitivity and communication skills. The authors discuss the use of storytelling in the nursing literature and in a nursing course.
Storytelling has been used for centuries as a powerful vehicle for communication, recreation, entertainment, education, and to pass on cultural identity. 1,2 It is a vital and unique ingredient of the human experience. 3 Regardless of medium (legend, myth, folk tale, fairy tale, poem, novel, film, or play) stories are enjoyed by everyone. 3 While stories, whether fiction or poetry, were historically narrated; today's modes of communication include printing, radio, TV, cinema, and Internet. Stories have appeal because they capture interest and attention, enable recall of details by association, and bring facts to life by putting them in personal scenarios.
Storytelling is increasing in stature in the United States. The National Storytelling Network promotes the establishment of local chapters, voice coaching for storytellers, grants, a youth storytelling Olympics, and a Web site with services for storytellers. A national festival, acclaimed as 1 in 100 events in North America, has sparked a renaissance in storytelling. Internationally, Tellebration is a worldwide storytelling event. 4
Stories have provided a way to maintain a cultural heritage. In his enchanting book The Way to Rainy Mountain, Momaday tells legends and stories of the Kiowa people, a Native American nation. 5 The Kiowa migrated from the northwest to the territory now occupied by the states of Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Today, the culture is preserved by traditional dances, fine arts, crafts, and stories.
Adults tell stories as a way to interpret history to children. Family history is often passed on through stories, diaries, or books about the family. It must be appreciated that often storytellers tend to tell events in a way that supports their position and positive self-image. Shameful events such as the Holocaust, slavery, or Hiroshima may be told from the unique perspective of the person telling the story. 6 However, stories are sometimes unbiased. In the Bible the Israelites chose to tell their shameful stories as well as the heroic stories so that their children would understand that what God did was right. Thus, it is important for listeners to be able to discern stories that might have bias and to appreciate why certain details may be added or omitted at the storyteller's discretion.