Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN of SJF Communications taught her “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Reflective Practice virtual workshop for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Students for the Hahn School of Nursing at the University of San Diego (USD) on July 15, 2025.
Many thanks to Bri DuBose, PhD, MHI, RN, LSS BB Clinical Associate Professor for the invitation!
Susan presented her PowerPoint slides discussing the origins of and several key points about Haiku. She demonstrated several ways that Haiku can relate to Nursing (i.e. aesthetic knowing, creative outlet, perceptions of clinical events, expressions of caring, self-care, values clarification, nursing roles and/or conflicts, coping and more)!
Along with the PowerPoint, Susan showed her own nature photography as prompts for writing Haiku and shared several of her Haiku related to the photos with a Nursing focus.
Participants were asked to think about moments in nursing and create a Haiku from either their best or worst day in nursing (or in their life). Alternatively, they also had the choice to create a Haiku of their own choosing, but focused on nursing. The suggested syllable length for each line was 5-7-5.
Thanks as always to all of the participants for attending, interacting and sharing their wonderful work!
Please note: The Haiku are anonymous for privacy reasons.
Enjoy this wonderful compilation of celebrating and defining Nursing Arts with Haiku!
One path many steps Caring through the hardest days Cancer can’t take that
Best shift of my life Evicting leukemia Bone marrow transplant
Small hands held— brave giggles echo— in pediatric patients.
Worst shift of my life Bifurcating oxygen Covid took them all
Protective factor “Please tell me, what is yours?” She smiles, “Prince Harry”
Frustration with you Choosing comfort over care Baby cries silent
Hope pressed into tiny chests- Grief filled every breath Mother’s cries remain
Waves upon the screen, Silent hearts speak in rhythms— I listen, I guard.
Emergent sirens sound Rush rush rush, still don’t forget Importance of touch
Tiny pills, big weight charts, side effects, endless names, Sleep lost to dosage
Covid took a toll Some wounds are not seen outside Forever changed now
Chaos and stress build I look to a friend for help We succeed as one
This side of the bed. Blurring the lines of knowing. Helping you, help me.
Dance with me, my friends Through planets filled with wonder I will go alone
Blood on my black shoes Deafening silence, defeat Pandemic deceits
Bodily loss hurts Seek meaning in given signs Hummingbirds are mine
Gentle hands hold time. Stories bloom in wrinkled skin. I pull up a chair.
“No longer with us.” Time moves on but grief remains, Folded into life
For more information, or to schedule a Haiku workshop with Susan J Farese, SJF Communications, please email info@sjfcommunications.com or sjfcommunications@gmail.com.
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Audio link above is provided to listen to Ep12: Beth Quaas, DNP, CRNA, APRN And Nursing and the Arts Podcast Host Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN.
Nursing and the Arts is a podcast devoted to Nurses discussing their diverse artistic passions (or endeavors) such as visual arts/photography, journaling, comedy, podcasting, storytelling, writing/poetry, crafting, cooking, dance, theatre, music, film etc.
Welcome to our 2nd Season!
Join us on today’s 12th episode of the Nursing and the ArtsPodcast for an informative and entertaining discussion with our guest Ep12: – Beth Quaas, DNP, CRNA, APRN, An Inspiring, Empathetic Nurse Anesthetist and Host of the “Don’t Eat Your Young” Podcast – And – Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, Host of the Nursing and the Arts Podcast
Watch the Nursing and the Arts Podcast (above)!
Ep12: Beth Quaas, DNP, CRNA, APRN, An Inspiring, Empathetic Nurse Anesthetist and Host of the “Don’t Eat Your Young” Podcast and Host Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN (right)
Show Notes
Meet the amazing Beth Quaas! It was delightful to virtually meet Beth when I was interviewed on her Podcast “Don’t Eat Your Young” in 2022. She is truly a compassionate and advocate for nursing in the best way!
Here are some tidbits from our wonderful conversation!
Beth has been a nurse since the 1990’s, starting with her LPN (in a nursing home), then her Associate Degree, followed by pursuing her Bachelor’s, Masters degree (1999 and CRNA) and Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2010.
Her clinical experience included ICU and the Operating Room before pursuing Nurse Anesthesia School, obtaining her Masters and CRNA and ultimately received her DNP. For the past five years, Beth has been the Associate Director of the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia. She also continues clinically as a Nurse Anesthetist in the O.R. as well.
She truly exudes joy in the nursing profession.
As a former Director of a CRNA group, realizing that the lack of training for and support in leadership was challenging and difficult, Beth experienced burnout. Now, she helps other nurses deal with and tell their own stories about bullying, burnout, workplace violence and more through her podcast “Don’t Eat Your Young”, (with success in it’s fifth season)! Her intention is to let nurses that are struggling know that they are not alone and that her podcast “Don’t Eat Your Young”, supports and provides resources for them.
Way to go Beth!
Each podcast guest on the “Don’t Eat Your Young” Podcast tells their own story.
Beth believes that Nurses need to discover a creative or artistic outlet and use creative ways to reduce stress, anxiety or burnout, whether at the bedside or not. We also discussed workplace safety.
Since she didn’t feel as though she was savvy with technology, Beth has the support of an incredible assistant for her podcast website, branding and social media.
For fun, (and for escape) Beth loves to read, especially Historical Fiction and SciFi. Appealing Book covers “speak to her”!
As for her views on the Art of Nursing as well as what she teaches her nurse anesthesia students-Beth described that anesthesia is like flying a plane, where there’s a take-off, then flying and finally a landing. There’s an art to making sure that patients are safe and comfortable and wake up in a timely manner with fine tuned medications and a smooth transition from the operating room.
Regarding her podcast title “Don’t Eat Your Young” , Beth emphasized that “young” is not chronological age, but “where you’re at”. Nursing students have knowledge and can teach experienced Nurses as well.
Another takeaway from our conversation is to have confidence in your role, whether it be as a Nurse Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Practitioner – this confidence puts patients at ease.
Thank you so much Beth, you are truly an inspiration in Nursing!
About Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, a native of New Jersey, is the owner/ president of SJF Communications, San Diego, CA.
SJF Communications, originally established in 2002 in San Jose, CA, provides communications services including Public Relations, Publicity, Virtual Assisting, Marketing, Websites, Film Making, Acting, Social Media, Writing and Public Speaking, Photography, Mentoring, Coaching and Legal Nurse Consulting services.
Ms. Farese has diversified experience in health care/communications, including clinical nursing practice, management, education/training, research and consulting.
If you are a nurse (or know of a nurse) who would like to be considered for a “Nursing and the Arts” Podcast interview, please reach out to Susan by email: info@sjfcommunications.com.
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By Guest Blogger, Alyssa Blake, BSN, RN (with Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN)
Celebrating Nurse’s Week (May 6-12, 2024)!
“Grandma’s Camp” by Alyssa Blake, BSN, RN
“Celebrating Nurse’s Week“
Many thanks to Alyssa Blake, BSN, RN for writing this guest blog!
In a world of advancing technology and pharmaceutical breakthroughs, we often focus on the latest and greatest drugs to treat patients.
Yet, something as simple as incorporating creativity into patient care may speed recovery and improve quality of life. Not only that, it may help address caregiver burnout.
In this blog post, we review the healing benefits of art for caregivers and patients and how to integrate it into patient care.
How does art help with healing?
Since the 1960s, different forms of art such as music, visual media, writing, and even dancing have been used to help patients. In fact, the concept of using art for healing forms the basis ofart therapy—a treatment in which mental health professionals use visual art to help patients process distressing events.
Through the act of creating art, people may better understand their illnesses. Further, it may help manage difficult emotions which could explain these health benefits.
We need to do more research to better understand this phenomenon. But, given what we do know, it’s safe to say the arts influence our physical and mental health and can be a great way to advance wellness.
Known as the matriarch of modern nursing, Florence revolutionized more than sanitation practices with her ideas. In her famous“Notes on Nursing: What it is, What it is Not,” she explains the influence of the environment on our health. Specifically, she highlights the impact of air, water, light, cleanliness, and drainage on our well-being.
After reading these inspiring words, many focus on improving air and water quality to promote health. However, we may also interpret these readings in the context of creative art and wellness. Indeed, in her writings, Florence mentions the impact of “beautiful objects,” and “brilliance of color” on patients’ recovery (Nightingale, 1860). She then discusses the need to include artwork in patient rooms and the importance of hobbies to foster well-being.
Keeping this guidance in mind, strategies healthcare centers may employ to combine art and medicine include:
Placing visual art and plants in rooms and common areas
Facilitating drawing, craft-making, writing, or music sessions.
Giving art supplies, coloring books, and journals to allow independent art creation
Encouraging appreciation through art interpretation exercises
“Golden Hour” by Alyssa Blake
As a nurse and caregiver to my chronically ill father, I have witnessed the success of these techniques firsthand.
Working during a pandemic and supporting my father these last few years, I encountered many challenges. There were even several instances in which my father passed away and was brought back to life again
Throughout this hardship, what truly helped my father recover and prevented my family from falling apart was art. During his 6-month hospital stay, I made it a point to paint cherished scenes from snapshots of his beloved garden to portraits of our pets. I then hung these pictures in his hospital room. These artworks served not only as reminders of his favorite memories but also as motivators that encouraged him up until his discharge.
Besides making visual art during this trying time, I wrote poetry to express what I could not with ordinary words. Through this practice, I released pent-up negative emotions to manage stress and clear the way for hope to blossom.
Inspired by this experience, I began my own art businessSmile Canvas Creations to help others with art, like I did for my family. I also embarked on a campaign to share knowledge about art’s healing power, which has brought me here today.
Now that I have reviewed the health benefits of art and how to include it in patient care, there remains one last topic to discuss—how to address caregiver burnout with art.
Addressing Caregiver Burnout with Art
Since the pandemic began, there has been a mass exodus of healthcare workers from the field with many citing burnout in their decision to leave.
Factors that may contribute to this state include:
Understaffing
Long work hours
Lack of resources and support
Second-hand trauma from caring for patients
Lack of self-care
Besides increasing turnover, this emotional fatigue may increase medical errors and lead to poor health outcomes for patients and caregivers alike.
Chronic illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
Immune system dysfunction
This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to just formal caregiving, though. Family caregivers face the same risk of burnout trying to meet the daily needs of sick loved ones.
Similar to patients, creative outlets can manage stress in these environments and improve all caregivers’ health.
In healthcare settings, administrators could implement training or continuing education classes that focus on creativity, for example. These classes might include drawing, music, or creative writing like haiku workshops. Alternatively, managers could install coloring posters in break rooms and organize “Paint and Sip Nights,” for coworkers to paint and socialize.
Nature photography and Haiku by Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN
Educators may also use these strategies to prepare students entering the field. For instance, one nursing program included a one-hour class inspired by theJapanese art of Kintsugi in their curriculum. This involved students repairing broken pottery with golden lacquer and self-reflection. After the exercise, students reported a greater sense of connection with others and appreciation of their work.
Although family caregivers may not have access to formal support like those mentioned above, they can find similar opportunities by joining support groups that host these activities.
Nature photography by Susan J. Farese
In brief, these creative activities allow caregivers to cathartically release negative emotions and improve their health. Likewise, incorporating art in patient care aids patients’ recovery.
What will you create now that you know about art’s extraordinary impacts on wellness?
Finally – Please stay tuned during the first week in May, 2024 for our Nursing and the Arts Podcast, where we will post an interview Alyssa Blake, BSN, RN in conversation with Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN!
Questions?: Email Susan at info@sjfcommunications.com
Kim, K. S., & Lor, M. (2022). Art making as a health intervention: Concept analysis and implications for nursing interventions. ANS. Advances in nursing science, 45(2), 155–169. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9064896/
Kwok, I., Keyssar, J. R., Spitzer, L., Kojimoto, G., Hauser, J., Ritchie, C. S., & Rabow, M. (2022). Poetry as a healing modality in medicine: Current state and common structures for implementation and research. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 64(2), e91–e100. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35584740/
Lankston, L., Cusack, P., Fremantle, C., & Isles, C. (2010). Visual art in hospitals: case studies and review of the evidence. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 103(12), 490–499. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996524/
Martin, B., Kaminski-Ozturk, N., O’Hara, C., & Smiley, R. (2023). Examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and stress among U.S. nurses. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 14(1), 4–12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10074070/
Nightingale, F. (1860). Notes on nursing: What it is, and what it is not. D. Appleton and Company.
Ruth-Sahd, L. A., & Deibler, A. (2024). Kintsugi: Fosters student nurse externs’ and new nurse residents’ sense of respect, resilience, and rebuilding post pandemic. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing: DCCN, 43(1), 36–39. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38059711/
Spencer-Thomas, S. (Executive Producer). (2022, February 8). Poetry as an antidote to burnout – A nurse’s perspective on healing practices: Interview with Susan Farese [Audio podcast]. Hope Illuminated. https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/105
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