Barbara is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the holistic nursing and nurse coaching movements. She is a nurse educator, Florence Nightingale scholar, nurse theorist, and national and international speaker. Her focus is on healing, leadership, global action and the role of integrative nurse coaching in the integrative healthcare paradigm.
She is Co-Founder, International Nurse Coach Association (INCA) and Co-Founder, Integrative Nurse Coach Academy, Surfside, Florida. She is the International Co-Director and Board Member, Nightingale Initiative for Global Health (NIGH), Santa Fe, New Mexico and Gatineau, Quebec, Canada; and Director, Holistic Nursing Consultants, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Barbara is an author or co-author of 26 books and has received many national and international awards. Her most recent books include The Art and Science of Nurse Coaching: The Provider’s Guide to Coaching Scope and Competencies(2nd ed, 2021), Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice(7th ed., 2016; 8th ed. Dec. 2022),Nurse Coaching: Integrative Approaches for Health and Wellbeing(2015), and Florence Nightingale: Mystic, Visionary, Healer(Centennial Commemorative Edition, 2010).
Education
BSN (1965)
Baylor University School of Nursing, Waco, Texas
Master of Science (1975)
Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas
PhD (2002)
Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, Ohio
Distinction and Certifications
FAAN
Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
AHN-BC
Advanced Holistic Nurse-Board Certified
HWNC-BC
Health and Wellness Nurse Coach-Board Certified
“if we can transform by a few years of quiet, the habits of centuries, or progress will have been slow, but amazing rapid.”
~ Florence Nightingale (1894)
Awards
Barbara Dossey
American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award (2015, 2013, 2009, 2005, 2000, 2000, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1985, and 1984)
Baylor University School of Nursing Outstanding Alumni Award (2015)
AHNA Lifetime Achievement Award, American Holistic Nurses Association (2014)
Nursing Leader Award of New Mexico, New Mexico Nurses Association (2012)
Leadership Award, Integrative Healthcare Symposium, New York City (2010)
“In the future which I shall not see, for I am old, may a better way be opened! May we hope that, when we are all dead and gone, leaders will arise who have been personally experienced in the hard, practical work, the difficulties, and the joys of organizing reforms, and who will lead far beyond anything we have done! High hopes, which shall not be deceived!”