Aim:

To describe the implementation of an innovative didactic strategy to promote the strengthening of empathy in an occupational setting through student's self-awareness in an advanced undergraduate course.

Methods:

A combination of didactic strategies (case method, ethical project of life and nursing process) was implemented in an undergraduate course. Students developed a nursing process focused on their own lifestyles.

Main Results:

Although students referred having difficulties implementing lifestyle-related interventions on themselves, the didactic strategy helped them to experience in their own life what they ask patients to do in a nursing intervention related to health behavior change.

Main Conclusion:

Students’ appropriation of the nursing process to take care of their selves could be a strategy to promote vital attitudes to provide a humanized care such as empathy.