Authors

  1. Fuller, Sherry DNP, RN, FNP-C

Article Content

A mandala can be used as a graphic way to structure reflection and meditation. When nursing students are developing their role and exploring nursing theories to guide their practice, creating their own mandala provides a method to visually incorporate various concepts, priorities, and thoughts, which can shape their ideas about nursing practice. Students can draw their own mandala or can fill in the blank mandala in Figure 1, Supplemental Digital Content, http://links.lww.com/NE/A620. The example in Figure 2, Supplemental Digital Content http://links.lww.com/NE/A621, shows the author's personal mandala of a nurse practitioner educator. It was created as a continued source of inspiration and contemplation to strive for balance in personal and professional life. Some examples of ideas that students might include can be derived from nursing theorists or personal thoughts. The example includes concepts of self-care, individuals of personal and professional influence, reinforcing elements in life, priorities to achieve, and areas to concentrate energy. A mandala serves as a guide to rethink priorities and define what will be the focus for the next day, week, month, or year. Because I have found the creation of my mandala to be personally rewarding, I encourage each nurse and student to either create their own mandala or use my blank one and write in ideas that apply to their life-color, reflect, prioritize, and enjoy!