Diamond Moments® are those precious instances in time that encapsulate the very best of nursing for each individual practitioner. They are the moments behind that hand on the heart, that gut feeling that connects you to why you became a nurse. These moments demonstrate you at your best, connected to others at their best. Diamond Moments® can emerge even from the most challenging circumstances, as glimmers of light that illuminate  and connect us to what drives you as a professional.

Like diamonds, these moments are precious and rare. They come in all different cuts and colours, can be large or small, found alone or as part of a collection. They can emerge under immense pressure but stand the test of time. They are multi-faceted, reflect light, and are something to nurture and wear with pride. When we connect to our brilliance through our Diamond Moments®, we can identify and learn from the situation in which they were formed. 

The evidence base for restorative reflective practice in nursing continues to grow, demonstrating significant benefits for practitioner wellbeing and the care we provide to the people we serve. Restorative reflection helps build resilience, reduce burnout, increase empathy and compassion. It supports nurses to reconnect with the joy and purpose of practice, (Baldwin and Kelly, 2023).

The Foundation of Nursing Studies, alongside other leading organisations, champion that reflection supports individuals to continually improve the way they work and the quality of care they provide. They advocate for it being a familiar, continuous and routine part practice (Foundation of Nursing Studies et al., 2024).

The Diamond Moment® concept aligns perfectly with this approach, encouraging reflection from a place of strength and achievement rather than deficit.

These tools facilitate nurses to connect to their Diamond Moments and to understand the personal and environmental components that enabled the diamond to form. By understanding how it was formed, we can proactively create environments where more diamonds can develop within our profession.  

1. Diamond Moment® Capture and Sharing Tool – Enables individual practitioners to mindfully reflect on and capture their Diamond Moments. Like diamonds these can then be put away for safe keeping or shared for other to enjoy.

2. Diamond Moment® Career Conversation Tool – Embedding Diamond Moments® into a meaningful career conversation enables nurses to gain a deeper understanding of what brings them joy at work. This supports practitioners to seek development and career opportunities that are aligned to what matters most to them, enabling professional growth which is purposeful and grounded in an authentic, individualised understanding of the essence of nursing.

3. Diamond Moment® Group Reflection Tool – Creates opportunities for teams to share and celebrate their collective Diamond Moment®. In doing so, fostering a culture of appreciation and learning from a moment when collectively they are at their best.

Initial piloting across North Central London has generated inspiring feedback from practitioners who have embraced the Diamond Moment® approach:

Expanding and Embedding the Diamond Moment® Framework, an opportunity for organisations to participate as a champion or exemplar site.

Our Programme Vision:

Empower nurses to thrive during system transformation, staying connected to their purpose and professional identity. The programme seeks to scale the framework across health and social care systems, supporting the Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England.

We are now inviting forward-thinking health and care organisations to join the next phase of the Diamond Moment journey becoming part of a national movement that celebrates nursing excellence, strengthens professional identity, and drives the delivery of the Fit for the Future vision. 

If reading this has sparked your curiosity and you would like to find out more, or would like to become an exemplar site, Jenny would love to arrange a time to talk.

Drop a message to arrange a time to talk: talk@developtothrive.com