In 2007, I hope you make time for the things that are important to you. For some of you, this may mean actually taking a few moments to focus in on your own needs. Trust me, this is not selfish, it is essential. For others, it may mean reviewing your past choices, choosing differently and/or conscientiously sticking to the plan you have for yourself despite obstacles.

 

I find it rather ironic that in nursing school we all spent hours developing care plans that would meet our patient's needs. In fact, I know nurses whose sole job responsibility is to oversee and develop accurate, individualized and appropriate care plans. It is an important and necessary job that I do believe is at the core of effective care giving.

 

Therein lies the core of this message. Nurses in general, forget to take care of themselves…really take care of themselves. It is the nature of those in the helping professions, especially nurses, to consider their own needs last. We will skip lunches, allotted breaks, cancel our own doctor's appointments and leisure activities to meet the demands of work, our children, spouses, etc.

 

We teach patients and clients about changing their lifestyles for their improved health and well being, cautioning them on the cumulative effects of insufficient rest, proper diet, exercise and follow-up care.  Yet, in relation to ourselves, we often miss the mark and place our needs on the "someday" or "when I get time to" lists. In truth, this contributes to our own health care problems, burn out and elevated cortisol levels. 

 

The point here is this. Have you developed a care plan for yourself? If you haven't, I implore you to do it today. Take a few moments and identify your own self-care deficits.  Then relate the deficit to how it manifests in your life. Do you have any idea of how to address the problem? What do you need to do to manage, alleviate or eliminate it? How long will you try the idea out to see if it works? If at first you don't succeed, will you try something else? Ultimately what is the goal?

 

One of Nutrira's care plan goals as a company is to provide respite and renewal services to all of our nursing colleagues across the nation. If we are going to survive the current state of healthcare and nursing shortages while nurturing and share our wisdom with new nurses coming into the profession, we have got to take time routinely to renew our minds, bodies and spirits. If you are at the crossroads of your nursing career and are considering changing from direct clinical care to management, consulting, maybe going back to school or even leaving the healthcare community, Nutrira supports you through the transition because we "nourish" our own.

 

As you are pondering the above, click Rent :Trailer No. 1 and just close your eyes and take in the song. Let the music and voices provide you with a little escape. Seize this moment and start a care plan for yourself. You have done it hundreds, if not thousands of times for others with great care. Turn inward, take a long deep long breath and take your turn.

 

Then drop me a line and tell me how you will be spending some of your minutes this year. What you are planning for yourself, personally and/or professionally, and if we can help you by providing resources for guidance.

 

Happy New Year,

Gloria