Category: Nursing Support

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How to Nurse Well While Taking Care of You

As a common problem in the nursing field, burnout, staffing shortages, and high nurse-to-patient ratios have long plagued the industry, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s noteworthy that despite these challenges, only 26 articles on nurse burnout were published in 2019, according to PubMed. However, there has been a significant increase in articles on nurse burnout, with 122 published in 2022 alone. This issue requires continuous discussion and awareness to facilitate improvement in the nursing community.

Keywords: nursing, nurse burnout, self-awareness, mindfulness, healthcare changes, nursing organizations, personality test, stress test

A lot of research discusses how having a high number of patients per nurse can negatively affect patient outcomes and lead to burnout among nurses. Burnout can be a difficult cycle to break, especially as nurses deal with the constant demands of their jobs. This post aims to highlight what nurses can do on a personal level to improve their working conditions and stay committed to the nursing profession.

The nursing community can take practical steps and initiatives as we search for solutions to these challenges.

1. Self-awareness.

Self-awareness is crucial for nurses. It’s essential to know oneself and how one operates. One needs to assess if one’s personality fits one’s nursing specialty and if one likes to connect with patients on a deeper level. Nurses must know whether they bring negativity or positivity to their workspace and peers. They should know their threshold and be mindful of their stress responses and personality traits.

2. Mindfulness

Mindfulness is like a conscious willingness to connect with the environment and people around you to create a positive experience despite the circumstances. Practicing mindfulness can result in enhanced empathy, reduced anxiety and stress, and self-acceptance. It’s essential to pause and be present without judgment. This takes self-regulation and can be beneficial when struggling with heavy workloads.

3. Buy-in

Creating buy-in means becoming an advocate for change. This path may lead to developing initiatives that benefit everyone involved. Although not all ideas are accepted, creating a workplace culture of mindfulness and self-awareness can encourage others to practice effectively. A domino effect of kindness and appreciation for the job, colleagues (including physicians), and patients can spread like wildfire.

In conclusion

Change starts with the individual. It takes a change in thinking and the willingness to step up for a positive change in the workplace. Self-awareness allows one to evaluate oneself and what qualities one brings to the table. Mindfulness requires action to stop, being present without judgment, and being kind. This path may lead to being better equipped for today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare challenges. Getting involved with state and national nursing organizations is an excellent way to start making a positive change. Join the American Nurses Association | ANA (nursingworld.org). Joining ANA will include your state organization, too.

Learn more about yourself with the Free DISC Test – DISC Personality Testing and Test Your Emotional Intelligence, Free EQ Quiz, EI Test (ihhp.com)

Learn ways to practice mindfulness at Mindfulness Exercises – Mayo Clinic, and modify it to what works for you.

Check out Coronavirus Well-Being Initiative – Mental Health & Nursing | ANA (nursingworld.org). It also includes a FREE Confidential Stress Self-Assessment!

Happy Nursing!

Enjoyed this post? Check out who’s behind allonenurse.com.

References

Chmielewski J, Łoś K, Łuczyński W. Mindfulness in healthcare professionals and medical education. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021 Jan 7;34(1):1-14. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01542. Epub 2020 Nov 12. PMID: 33223537.

Sandford K, Prewitt E. A Nurse Is Not Just a Nurse: The Challenges of Nursing During a Pandemic and Beyond. NEJM Catal Innov Care Deliv 2021 Mar 17;2(4). DOI: 10.1056/CAT.21.0053 Retrieved from https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.21.0053

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I’m About to Lose My Mind

Decreasing Stress and Promoting Self-Care. 

Do you find yourself more stressed nowadays? You’re running on empty and not happy performing the simple tasks in life. For example, waking up! 

Here are a few things you can do to decrease stress and promote self-care so you can bring back joy into your life. 

Keywords:

stress, stress management, time, self-care, nurses, nursing, planners

Ways to Decrease Stress and Promote Self Care. 

More and more health issues are experienced as a result of increased stress. There is good stress called eustress which is positive, motivating, and manageable to improve functioning and wellbeing. However, most of the time we’re dealing with the bad stress, called distress. Distress leads to dysfunction like physical illness, mental fatigue, and emotional depletion in our lives (habitsforwellbeing.com). As nurses, we all know that exercising and eating healthier is a great start to decreasing stress, but stress is unavoidable. What are some other ways to manage stress and promote self-care in our lives?

Here are steps to manage stress right now:

Change your perspective.

Here me out. A wise woman once told me that we can’t control anyone but ourselves. So, we have to find ways to protect our mental, physical, and spiritual selves. You can start by reframing the way you think. You shouldn’t feel like you “have to do” most of the things that you perform on a daily, or weekly basis but that you “want to do” these things. Creating a mindset of gratitude will help change your perspective as well. 

For example, even when short staffed at work, you have to choose to be thankful and hopeful that you’re able to safely take care of patients vs. being a patient who needs to be cared for.

Plan your day. 

Write down your routine and refer back to it throughout the day at work, and yes at home too. If you don’t have a routine, then it may help to create one. This allows you to be intentional about your time and productivity. Write down the tasks that you need to perform for the day. Create lists that work for you. It may be in digital form or old school pencil and paper. This will help you see what is really important to get done and the ability to prioritize, while hopefully decreasing stress as well. 

For example, write down your “to do” list the night before and number them in order of importance.

Schedule time for yourself. 

Every week, take time for you. Whether it is a whole day or a few hours, take time for yourself. Watch a movie, take a walk, get your nails done or go get a massage. Do whatever you like to do that brings joy and peace to you. You will feel rejuvenated and more focused. 

Another example would be sitting in the car for 10-15 minutes without any interruptions before proceeding into the house afterwork.

Delegate tasks.

This is not only for your active nursing role but home life too! Do you have too much to get done? It is okay to get help. Ask for help from friends, family, or co-workers, as applicable. Or hire someone, as applicable, to take some of the workload off of you.

For example, get a housekeeper to help with light house duties, or deep cleaning, every now and again.

Start saying “No”.  

When you try to do everything, stress takes over. Your life will start to collapse or collapse in cycles. Maybe this can be avoided if you build a strong “No” game. It’s okay to not be available to everyone, every time, and in every way physically possible. Kids are resilient and spouses will figure it out (checkmate!). Seriously, re-evaluate your yes responses. Rather it’s saying yes to yourself, when no one has asked you to do anything in the first place. Allow others to do whatever it is that they are capable of doing, even when it doesn’t meet your expectations. 

For example, tell yourself “No” by allowing your spouse to pick out the children’s clothes or to pick up dinner if he/she does not cook on certain days of the week.

Conclusion

These steps are a start to getting a handle on stress and promoting self-care. Pick two easy steps and start utilizing them today. It is time to get back to a better career and overall life.  Please leave a comment on any self-care tips and ways to decrease stress you’d like to add to this topic and check out links* below for additional information and resources to decrease stress.

References

Eustress vs Distress (habitsforwellbeing.com)

What’S The Difference Between Eustress And Distress? – CookingTom Diet

*Check out Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation to participate in challenges to stay healthy.

*26 Best Stress-Relief Techniques According to Psychology (positivepsychology.com)

Sincerely, 

All One Nurse

image credit: Pexels from Pixabay

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A Letter to New Nurses

Hello there, 

First, congratulations! You did it! It was hard and there were many times you wanted to give up, drop out, dropped out and went back, or simply barely made your way through. However, it is finished. Nursing school that is…

Now, as you embark on this new journey and exciting career called Nursing, I wanted to leave you with some words of encouragement and tips. 

Passing the NCLEX exam. 

You will do fine, because guess what? It can be taken again. Invest in a credible review course and review book. Having more than 2 study tools may set you up for failure, think “quality not quantity”. Most legitimate NCLEX study tools have practice test banks. Be sure to take these practice tests and focus on the rationales of the questions answered incorrectly.

You want to learn how to take the NCLEX. You already have the knowledge, because you survived nursing school. Learn how to take the test. It is a standardized exam developed by the National Council State Board of Nursing (NCSBN) to assess if you are safe to practice. Know what the question is asking. Be sure to give yourself a break while sitting for the NCLEX. You have time. However, do not wait until the last possible minute to take your NCLEX exam after graduating, because you may not do as well. Get it out the way!

Stepping into your new career. 

During your internship, or new position, always listen, be open to learning, and see the patients as Humans. You will learn your duties in time and practice safely. I don’t know what type of personality your preceptor will have but always aim to learn from the experience. This may keep you off of an emotional rollercoaster. Just don’t forget to have empathy and integrity as you are learning your new role. As humans, we all make mistakes, but when you own them, things will work out better for you. Managers will agree to this and it may prevent someone else from making the same mistake.

Remember that people come to the hospital because they need a nurse. They need and depend on you to care for them. They will always remember how you made them feel, even if they don’t remember what you said. 

Anxiety may follow you for the next 6 months of your new career, as you go through orientation and start caring for patients independently. It will get better.  As you follow your preceptors, write down notes and look over your notes at home. Take the time and learn where the supplies are in your unit/department. Always ask questions. Always follow your organizations protocols, policies, and procedures. These are set in place to protect you, the patient, and the organization.  

Becoming a great nurse.

Healthcare is always evolving due to technology, new medications, etc. From the very new nurses (such as yourselves) to the very experienced nurses (beyond me), nursing is a lifelong learning process.  I truly believe we are God’s hands and feet on earth.  May we all do so through competency, passion, and integrity. 

Sincerely, 

All One Nurse  

If there is anything that you would like to share as a new nurse, or experienced nurse, feel free to comment below*

All positive comments are welcomed…

(Photocredit: Google/TypiMage)

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You Better Get One! A Nursing Philosophy.

Do you have a nursing philosophy? 

“A nursing philosophy is a mission statement that outlines a nurse’s values, beliefs, personal and professional ethics as they relate to the nursing profession and their motivation for being a nurse”. -Indeed.com 

As a nurse educator, I developed a teaching philosophy. Check it out below and I encourage you to develop your own nursing philosophy to help motivate you on your nursing journey. Enjoy! 

My Nursing Philosophy

I am very passionate about the nursing profession and my role as a nurse. I desire to teach future nurses the same values, beliefs, and dedication I have toward the nursing profession. What I believe makes a great nurse educator is their qualities, teaching strategies, and recognition of challenges.

I believe a nurse educator’s character should possess an attitude of integrity, accountability, respect, commitment, caring, managing impulsivity, and listening with understanding and empathy. Doing so, demonstrates the respect for thyself, the profession of nursing, and the public.

I believe a nurse educator’s skills and competency are important, adding the ability to combine clinical expertise with a formal background in teaching for students to be successful. Nurse educators should aim to become certified to rid the question of competency, but display competency in their area of practice.

I believe that successful teaching consists of the ability to use a variety of teaching strategies that promote a learner-centered environment. I believe that students should understand that they are accountable for their learning which will affect the lives of others. I want to do so in a manner that is motivating and facilitates learning.  I believe that nurse educators must assess how students learn best and be adaptable, approachable, and responsive to students.

I believe that successful teaching consists of recognition of challenges. There are constant changes within the nursing profession and health care system. We must be aware of external issues like health care reform, changing demographics, technology, and the environment in which nurses’ practice. We must develop a curriculum that remains challenging while also providing opportunities for diverse students to participate in. 

References

What Is a Nursing Philosophy? (With Tips and Examples) | Indeed.com

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Do Not Eat from the Same Plate!

If you’re working in the hospital setting, we have all completed the yearly online modules on workplace violence. Obvious workplace violence will be physical and/or verbal altercations, but let’s talk about the more subtle acts of violence, like eating our young nurses up and leaving no crumbs! 

We all start out with the mindset, “I’ll never do that” but if we look away when we see them coming and refuse to help a newer nurse, or nursing student, then my nurse friend we are eating from the plate, too. So, let’s pause and revamp our diet here!

Workplace civility

Let’s talk about the benefits of workplace civility in our workspace. Most hospitals are short staffed, ass backwards, and the list of negatives can just keep going.  However, workplace civility starts with the individual. It is the practice of treating all people with respect and courtesy, regardless of their position or title. 

Why is it so important?

  • It creates a more positive and productive work environment.
  • It can help to reduce stress and conflict.
  • It can attract and retain staff. 
  • It can improve HCAP scores*.

There are a number of things that we can do to prevent eating our young nurses and promote workplace civility, including:  

  • Setting a good example for new nurses and nursing students.
  • Being approachable.
  • Being patient.
  • Enforcing the policies and procedures.
  • Recognizing and rewarding new nurses and nursing students for practicing safely. 

Workplace civility is an important part of creating a positive and productive work environment. By taking steps to promote workplace civility, the patients, staff, and organization benefit in many ways.

Here are some additional tips for promoting workplace civility and not eating our young nursing staff:

  • Be respectful of others, even when you disagree with them.
  • Listen to others without interrupting.
  • Be open to feedback.
  • Be willing to compromise.
  • Be a team player.
  • Be positive and upbeat.
  • Be helpful and supportive.
  • Be honest and ethical.
  • Be professional.

By following these tips, we can all create a more positive and productive work environment that welcomes our new nurses and nursing students instead of eating them up and spitting out the bones. 

Sincerely, 

All One Nurse

Additional Resources

Nurse Bullying and Hazing – The Truth About Nurse Culture | Marie Claire

*HCAP Scores explained- Hospital CAHPS (HCAHPS) | CMS

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Isolated Patients and PPE! Do you really have time?

The answer is No. 

How many times do you just need to silence the beeping pump, or quickly get a blood pressure? Not including all the other “right quick” tasks that may be needed in that patient’s room throughout the day.  However, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not a suggestion. It is essential for healthcare workers to protect themselves, their colleagues, and other patients from exposure to transmittable diseases.

What is PPE?

There are many different types, including gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, eye wear, and other protective materials. The type of PPE that is required will vary depending on the type of procedure being performed and the risk of exposure to infectious pathogens, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials. 

It is important to use PPE correctly (donning) and to dispose of it properly after use (doffing). Healthcare workers should also be trained on how to use PPE safely and effectively. Do not walk in the halls with PPE on. Even if it is clean, it gives off the perception that it might not be. My most experienced nurses know to “cluster” their care in isolated rooms, but it’s the getting stuck in our ways that is not always the best way and can cause the most harm.

Here’s the bottom line, PPE:

  • Protects you from exposure to blood-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials.
  • Protects patients from becoming infected by healthcare workers (Immunosuppressed Patients).
  • Helps to prevent the spread of infection, reducing healthcare cost, and improving patient safety.

It is important to note that just like birth control, PPE is not 100% effective in preventing exposure to infectious diseases. However, it is an important part of infection control and can help to reduce the risk of exposure and transmission of diseases.

For more information on PPE, please visit the cdc.gov website.  

Transmission-Based Precautions | Basics | Infection Control | CDC”

Isolation Precautions | Guidelines Library | Infection Control | CDC

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To be or not to be: a Nurse.

Adapted from Google Images

“To be or not to be, that is the question.”

-William Shakespeare

Nursing has so many advantages and challenges wrapped up in the same package.

For those of you interested in nursing consider the following-

Pros

Knowledge.

You will learn a wealth of information about the body and disease processes. How to perform skills, use equipment, and administer medications needed to care for patients.

Opportunity.

Becoming a nurse allows you to advance into other areas of the healthcare system: administration, academia, management, outpatient care, inpatient care, and advanced nurse practitioner/anesthetist/educator to name a few.

Flexibility.

Most bedside nurses work 3 days a week(12 hr. shifts) and pick up prn (as needed) positions at other hospitals/organizations. OR travel for bonuses with paid housing/food.

Pay.

Nursing is not just a job, and there is a lot of compassion involved. However, along with the opportunities mentioned above, nurses do make decent money. Overtime pay and additional pay per hour for short staffed shifts in the hospital setting makes some of the cons listed below a little bearable.

Cons

Workload.

Although a typical work week may consist of only 3 days a week, 12 hours is a long time with a high patient to nurse ratio.

Stress.

Nursing consists of long hours of lifting, pulling, bending, walking, continuous critical thinking, and sometimes no lunch. It can be hard on one’s body and mind. Especially when dealing with difficult patients/families/colleagues.

Work holidays.

Illness does not take a break. Nurses must staff the hospital all year round. You may have to rotate major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving with your colleagues.

Exposure.

You will be exposed to germs. Especially now with COVID19, you may be exposed to other airborne illness like flu or tuberculosis as well.

These are just a few things to think about when considering if nursing is for you.

Feel free to comment and ask questions below.

Sincerely,

Shenell

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Unprecedented Times with COVID19

After closing everything in March, where do we stand 4 months later? Simply putting it, still dealing with COVID-19. So how are you dealing with it? For me, I had the luxury of going on maternity leave in March and delivered a sweet baby boy in April. Since I work in the cardiovascular critical care unit (CVICU), me and my husband decided that I would not go back to the bedside until mid-July. I returned on July 3rd. I wanted to get in front of the next surge of cases and the fact that appliances started going out like light bulbs around the house, lol sigh. I quarantine at home when not at work, using a grocery click list to buy groceries once a week.

  • Walmart has a Click List has a $30 minimum and it is free for pickup and a delivery service for 12.98 monthly, or $98 annually (15-day free trial available).
  • Target has Drive Up with no minimum purchase, or Order Pickup. So, they will either bring it out to your car or can you go inside and pick it up.
  • Kroger has Pickup with no minimum purchase, Delivery for $9.95, or Ship free with $35 minimum purchase.

You can schedule an allotted time for pick up with Walmart and Kroger. Target will give you the information for pickup. They all do a great job notifying you when your order is ready. I prefer to just drive up and pick up at the designated time.

Enough about groceries. How are you doing mentally? For me, COVID-19 is like a bad dream that I just cannot awake from. Even more so now, I have always had a morning routine to get my day started. My routine consists of:

My routine is no longer limited to early mornings since baby boy arrival. My sleep is few and far between.  I must wait, sometimes, for my hubby to get home from work to relieve me of my baby duties 😊. So, do you have a routine? I must add that I also like to listen to inspirational leaders/sermons on YouTube while getting ready for work, and/or while cooking dinner in the evenings.

If you are dealing with a lot, whatever “a lot” may mean to you, then there is always counseling. Look into your insurance benefits, by calling the number on the back of the card and see what type of support they offer. Check with the organization with whom you are employed. They may have some type of support system available to staff (especially during this unprecedented time with COVID19). Just know that you are not alone and together we will all get through these unprecedented times by the grace of God.

To all healthcare personnel, I just want to say THANK YOU!

Nurses have been at the forefront of it all. Being the ones at the bedside providing direct care alongside Respiratory Therapist. Let us not forget our environmental services (EVS) aka housekeepers who keep the space clean in which we work (including COVID rooms). THANK YOU ALL😊

Be safe, be mindful, stay healthy because you are all one nurse!

Sincerely,

Shenell