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I chose this topic because stigma continues to be one of the most powerful barriers to mental health care. It affects how individuals view themselves, how they are treated by others, and whether they feel safe enough to seek help. In our coursework, we explored how stigma can show up in subtle ways through language, assumptions, and clinical decision-making. During clinicals, I witnessed how stigma can shape interactions between healthcare providers and patients. I saw some patients hesitate to disclose their mental health history out of fear of being judged or perceived differently. This topic matters to me because I believe nursing should be a space where people feel seen, not judged. Understanding stigma means recognizing how fear, misinformation, and bias influence care and committing to change that.

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This artifact shows a broken mirror with scattered reflections. The image speaks to how mental health stigma disrupts identity, creating distorted versions of how people see themselves and how they believe others perceive them. I chose this image because it visually represents the impact of stigma on self-worth and healing. Many people living with mental illness describe feeling “broken” or “out of place”, not primarily because of their condition, but because of how they are treated or spoken about. A mirror is meant to show truth, but when shattered, it reflects pain, confusion, and judgment. In the context of mental health, it symbolizes the emotional and societal damage that stigma leaves behind. This photo reminds me that relational practice means helping people see themselves clearly and kindly, even when they view themselves through fractured glass.

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Artifact 2: Film Clip from A Silent Voice

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Artifact 2: Film Clip from A Silent Voice

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This artifact is a short film clip from A Silent Voice, a Japanese animated movie that explores the emotional effects of bullying, shame, and isolation. The scene focuses on Shoya, a character confronting a distorted sense of self after years of exclusion—a powerful visual representation of internalized stigma and the struggle to connect and heal. The clip shows how stigma doesn’t just affect relationships; it reshapes identity, silences emotions, and creates barriers to care. I selected this clip because it captures how stigma alienates and reflects many of the emotional truths seen in mental health clinical settings. Patients often carry invisible wounds caused not just by their diagnoses, but by how they’ve been misunderstood or dismissed by others, including healthcare providers. These experiences can cause people to withdraw, making healing even harder. This artifact reminds me why compassionate, nonjudgmental care is essential in nursing.

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1. Sheikhan, N. Y., Henderson, J. L., Halsall, T., Daley, M., Brownell, S., Shah, J., Iyer, S. N., & Hawke, L. D. (2023). Stigma as a barrier to early intervention among youth seeking mental health services in Ontario, Canada: A qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 23, 86. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09075-6

2. Hajizadeh, A., Amini, H., Heydari, M., & Rajabi, F. (2024). How to combat stigma surrounding mental health disorders: A scoping review of the experiences of different stakeholders. BMC Psychiatry, 24, 782. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06220-1

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I chose this topic because throughout my clinical experiences, one thing stood out consistently: the presence of family. Sometimes physically, sometimes emotionally, but always present in the background of the patient’s healing journey. In maternal-child, there was often a partner, parent, or loved one in the room, offering emotional support, quiet encouragement, or stepping in to help. In mental health care, families dropped off belongings, came during visiting hours, and asked questions, often trying to support in their own way. I witnessed how strong support systems could uplift a patient's recovery.

This constant presence reminded me that nursing does not happen in isolation. Even when our focus is the individual, we are often caring for someone whose experience is shaped by their relationships. This theme also connected strongly with what we explored in NURS 2003. Through course content and Padlet discussions, we learned about the importance of family-centered care, how relational nursing extends beyond the patient, and how recognizing family dynamics can foster safer, more inclusive environments.

As nursing practice continues to evolve, the ability to engage families thoughtfully will remain a key component of relational care.

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I chose this topic because it fundamentally changed how I view the nurse–patient relationship. During my mental health clinical placement, I saw how intentional communication, even in quiet or seemingly simple interactions, could make a meaningful impact. It wasn’t always dramatic or emotional, but there were many moments when patients responded positively to being listened to, respected, and gently encouraged. I began to appreciate how therapeutic communication isn’t just about asking the right questions but about creating an atmosphere of dignity and emotional safety.

This experience challenged me to rethink my own approach to care. Through Padlet discussions, personal reflections, and clinical experiences, I realized that therapeutic communication is not just a skill. It is a commitment to empathy, patience, and relational inquiry. It is about listening to understand rather than listening to respond.

As I grow into my future role as a nurse, I know this will be a foundational skill in how I connect with patients and build trust through intentional, compassionate communication. Not only in mental health settings, but across all areas of practice.

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During my clinical placement on the mental health unit, a patient I was assigned to gave me a paper crane as a quiet thank you. It was a small gesture, but it meant everything. It showed that our conversations, even the simple ones, had made a difference. Unfortunately I did not take a photo of the original, but this image represents that moment and its significance. It looks exactly like the one i was given. The crane symbolizes peace and resilience, which felt especially meaningful to the patient and within the context of their care. This artifact reminds me that therapeutic communication is not always about saying the perfect thing, having long conversations, or showing visible emotion. Sometimes, simply being present, listening, and offering gentle support can build trust in ways that words alone can't. This artifact reflects the kind of connection I hope to bring to every patient interaction.

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Artifact 2: Movie Clip – Inside Out (2015)

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Artifact 2: Movie Clip – Inside Out (2015)

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This scene features Sadness comforting Bing Bong as he grieves the loss of his rocket. Rather than trying to fix his pain, Sadness simply listens, validates his feelings, and sits with him. This demonstrates the essence of therapeutic communication: presence, empathy, and emotional validation. Sadness doesn’t interrupt or offer solutions, instead she listens, acknowledges Bing Bong’s pain, and allows him space to feel. It’s a moment of healing through connection, not correction.

I chose this movie clip because it captures the emotional depth of therapeutic communication in a way that’s accessible and profound. In mental health care, patients often need someone to witness their pain without judgment or urgency to fix it. This scene reminds us that healing begins when people feel heard and understood. It also reinforces the importance of emotional safety in clinical settings. Just like Bing Bong, many individuals carry grief, fear, or trauma that can’t be solved with advice, but can be softened through empathy. As nurses, our ability to listen with compassion is one of the most powerful tools we have.

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Communication Skills: Empathetic Listening - Inside Out, 2015

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1. Iversen, H. W., Riley, H., Råbu, M., & Lorem, G. F. (2025). Building and sustaining therapeutic relationships across treatment settings: A qualitative study of how patients navigate the group dynamics of mental healthcare. BMC Psychiatry, 25, 424. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06874-5

2. Sharkiya, S. H. (2023). Quality communication can improve patient-centred health outcomes among older patients: A rapid review. BMC Health Services Research, 23, 886. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09869-8

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I used this quote because it captures the steady and often unseen role families play in the healing journey. It reflects the emotional and symbolic importance of family presence in patient care and how their involvement, whether through spoken reassurance, thoughtful gestures, or simply being present, creates a sense of grounding for patients during moments of vulnerability or transition. In many care settings, families offer more than support. They bring familiarity, strength, and continuity. They serve as a bridge between the clinical and the personal.

This aligns with the principles of family-centered and relational nursing we explored through the course. It reminds us that healing often involves more than just the individual. It involves the network surrounding them.

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Artifact 2: A picture of family at the bedside

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Artifact 2: A picture of family at the bedside

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I chose this picture because it illustrates the emotional and practical roles families take on in healthcare settings. Whether it's navigating decisions, offering comfort, or managing stress, family members are often deeply involved in care but their contributions can be overlooked. This artifact highlights how relational nursing must include not just the patient, but the family system around them.

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1. Kiwanuka, F., Kopra, J., Sak-Dankosky, N., Nanyonga, R. C., & Kvist, T. (2025). Family support in acute care settings: Perspectives of family members on cognitive and emotional support. BMC Nursing, 24, 752. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03279-3

2. Seniwati, T., Rustina, Y., Nurhaeni, N., & Wanda, D. (2023). Patient and family-centered care for children: A concept analysis. Belitung Nursing Journal, 9(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.2350

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I chose this topic because it reflects the foundational principles of relational and ethical nursing. It also speaks to one of the most often overlooked truths in healthcare: not everyone receives care equitably. As a nursing student, I’ve become more aware of how race, culture, and identity intersect with access, treatment, and emotional safety in clinical settings. These differences aren’t just abstract, they are deeply personal and impact real lives. In both mental health and maternal-child care, cultural identity, racial background, and systems of inclusion and exclusion play a critical role in how care is experienced and delivered. We explored the concept of cultural safety as an active and ongoing process that requires nurses to self-reflect, confront bias, and honor the lived experiences of those in our care. As nurses, our role is not only to treat physical symptoms but also to recognize the power dynamics, cultural barriers, and implicit biases that influence how care is provided and received.

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Nursing invites us to bear witness to vulnerability and sometimes, to feel it ourselves. This piece addresses themes of racial inequity, cultural bias, and the emotional consequences of systemic exclusion within healthcare. In the course, we explored how relational practice includes noticing what may not be said aloud and responding with empathy, curiosity, and presence. This artwork reflects that philosophy. It captures the emotions that often exist below the surface, reminding me that therapeutic presence means embracing the full emotional landscape of care, not just managing symptoms. This poem is deeply personal and purposeful. It allowed me to channel my emotions, compassion, and hope into something creative that speaks to the kind of care I believe every patient deserves. It represents my belief that advocacy is not separate from nursing. It is embedded in how we engage, support, and fight for our patients.

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This artifact is a personal photo taken at Del Crary Park, capturing a scene where water, sunlight, and plant life interact in harmony. The natural elements in this image—flowing water, radiant sunbeams, and lush greenery, illustrate how different parts of the environment come together to create something beautiful and complete. I chose this photo because it visually reflects the theme of diversity and inclusion in a quiet, yet powerful way. Just as each natural element contributes to the view with none more important than the others, cultural safety in nursing requires that we value every individual’s identity and experience. The rainbow tones remind me that beauty comes from blending, not separating. In relational practice, nurses need to acknowledge every part of a person’s background, just as this landscape honors every part of its environment

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1. Pirhofer, J., Bükki, J., Vaismoradi, M., Glarcher, M., & Paal, P. (2022). A qualitative exploration of cultural safety in nursing from the perspectives of Advanced Practice Nurses: Meaning, barriers, and prospects. BMC Nursing, 21, 178. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00960-9.

2. Lieven Lauwers, E. D., Vandecasteele, R., McMahon, M., Maesschalck, S. D., & Willems, S. (2024). The patient perspective on diversity-sensitive care: A systematic review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 23, 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02189-1

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I chose this topic because so much of what mothers experience after birth remains unseen. Emotional labor doesn’t end with delivery, in fact, for many, it intensifies. The invisible struggle includes the pressure to be emotionally available for their baby, to navigate their own recovery, and to carry the expectations of being “strong” or “natural” at motherhood. It’s the weight of trying to feel normal while everything has changed physically, emotionally, and mentally.

In our maternal-child clinicals and on the mental health unit, I saw how postpartum mothers often minimized their own pain to prioritize their baby. I witnessed quiet exhaustion and subtle signs of anxiety or guilt which were acknowledged during routine assessments but can sometimes be missed. These experiences reminded me that nursing care must go beyond vital signs. It must include emotional presence and validation. Supporting mothers means recognizing that behind the smiles or silence, there may be a struggle they feel they can’t voice out. Emotional labor deserves recognition, and nurses have a unique role in creating spaces where that struggle can be seen and supported.

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Artifact 1: Postnatal Depression - Leanne's Story

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Artifact 1: Postnatal Depression - Leanne's Story

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This artifact features a short video in which Leanne openly shares her experience with postnatal depression. She describes feelings of disconnect, fear, guilt, and the overwhelming pressure to appear “okay.” The clip highlights the emotional reality that many mothers silently endure postpartum. I chose this clip because it powerfully captures the emotional labor and invisible struggle mothers often face after birth. Leanne’s honesty reflects the quiet emotional struggle many mothers face postpartum, as they silently manage intense emotions while trying to meet expectations. Her story reminds me that postpartum care must include emotional support, not just physical recovery.

This video reinforces why relational practice matters and as nurses we have a role in creating space for mothers to be heard and supported.

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This artifact is a picture of a fetal ultrasound, a symbol of connection, anticipation, and deep care. For many mothers, it’s an emotional milestone: hearing the heartbeat, seeing the baby grow, and feeling the weight of responsibility begin to take shape. While the image centers on the baby, it also reflects how mothers often begin prioritizing their child’s wellbeing from the very start, sometimes at the cost of their own emotional and physical needs. This artifact captures a moment where the mother’s attention is fully on the baby and speaks to the emotional labor that begins long before birth, and continues silently afterward.

It also reflects how society, and even clinical care, often reinforces this one-sided focus. The ultrasound represents the baby’s development, but not the mother’s emotional wellbeing. Relational nursing must bridge that gap, recognizing that behind the care and love is a person who also needs support, validation, and space to feel.

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1. Adams, Y. J., Miller, M. L., Agbenyo, J. S., Ehla, E. E., & Clinton, G. A. (2023). Postpartum care needs assessment: Women’s understanding of postpartum care, practices, barriers, and educational needs. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23, 502. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05813-0

2. Khademi, K., & Kaveh, M. H. (2024). Social support as a coping resource for psychosocial conditions in postpartum period: A systematic review and logic framework. BMC Psychology, 12, 301. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01814-6