Chapter 30: Continuing the Commitment to the Journey PDF

Chapter 30 Continuing the Commitment to the Journey Putting it all Together The American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics 2015, section 52, Promotion of Personal Health, Safety, and Well- Being mandates self-care to responsibly cope with the stressors of nursing. The nurse should: Eat a heal...

Chapter 30 Continuing the Commitment to the Journey Putting it all Together The American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics 2015, section 52, Promotion of Personal Health, Safety, and Well- Being mandates self-care to responsibly cope with the stressors of nursing. The nurse should: Eat a healthy diet Exercise Get sufficient rest Maintain family and personal relationships Engage in adequate leisure and recreational activities Attend to spiritual and religious needs.  You are not being selfish to make time for yourself; to play; and to be with friends and family. According to The American Nurses Association’s code of ethics, you are ethically responsible to do so. What is a Resilient Nurse? Resilience is the process of adapting to adversity, trauma, and stress in your professional and personal life. It is “bouncing back” from challenging experiences in the everyday life of a nurse. Practices of the Resilient Nurse Mindful Practices Being present in the moment, without judging the situation, knowing who you are Supports critical thinking Authenticity Show up as yourself, using your strengths, being open to learning Reframing Looking for the lesson in the problem Cognitive restructuring to combat beliefs of being perfect Understanding, you to, are human Practices of the Resilient Nurse Using Humor Helps keep perspective Not taking yourself so seriously Support Systems So you have a “safe harbor” to turn to Collaborate With your interprofessional team Not alone in wanting safe, competent, compassionate healthcare. Practices of the Resilient Nurse Practice Self-Care Relaxation Imagery Yoga Breath work Sleep rituals for adequate amounts of sleep Exercise Managing our own chronic illnesses Finding Meaning In your work Through new skills Connecting with clients, family, colleagues with compassion and gratitude/appreciation Practices of the Resilient Nurse Reflective Practice Learn from your experience. Assertive Communication To set boundaries for yourself and establish your professional identity. Toughening up To bear witness to human suffering. Knowing that your presence, and your listening holds space for healing. Look for the Positive In the situation In your own role Practices of the Resilient Nurse Practice Forgiveness and Nonjudgment Of yourself Of others “Let It Go” Learn to take a breath Go home Get some sleep Eat a good meal Take a walk Start with a new attitude about tomorrow Wonder – Don’t worry Reality Shock: The Transition From Student to Graduate Phases of reality shock: Honeymoon Phase There is enthusiasm, excitement, and high energy Shock Phase The realization that nursing is not what you expected There is anger, frustration, disappointment, fatigue, being critical, having a negative life view Reality Shock: The Transition From Student to Graduate Recovery Phase There is the realization that there is more than one perspective in the work situation You have a returning sense of humor Resolution Phase You choose a way to resolve the conflict between the subcultures of school and work, with different values and emphases Behaviours in this phase may include frequent job changes; fleeing work by returning to school; quitting nursing; burnout, the result of unresolved work conflict with chronic complaining Reality Shock: The Transition From Student to Graduate Tingle (2001) summarizes transition strategies with the mnemonic, NURSES. Never fail to ask for help! Use available facility resources! Reenergize with professional associations! Stay in contact with friends! Evaluate your own growth realistically! Stay focused on your goals! Reality Shock: The Transition From Student to Graduate Inquire about orientation length for new graduates when interviewing for a job Do your homework about the organization Their philosophy and mission statement Ask questions about their history Focus on gaining a reputation for competence in skills and interpersonal relationships Identify someone who understands what you are experiencing and lets you express your feelings Reality Shock: The Transition From Student to Graduate Expect to be tested as the “new kid on the block”. Avoid being defensive. Understand that other staff members also feel pressure and experience stress. They to, are doing the same job. Keep a journal to record your own thoughts, feelings, reflections, and ideas for change. To share when you have earned the respect of your colleagues. Three Competencies for Achieving Life Balance Guterman (1994) proposed a model he called “generative balancing”. This model focuses on three competencies: Creating Success Finding Meaning Renewal All three competencies are necessary for balancing, and the real thrill of life. Three Competencies for Achieving Life Balance 1. Creating Success Setting goals. Seeing the station or the destination you want to go. 2. Finding Meaning Crucial for the nurse to prevent burnout. Cannot control the events in your life, only your attitude that you take toward life. To give meaning to life we must: Belong to people Accept pain as a part of life Know that you have made a difference  Three Competencies for Achieving Life Balance 3. Renewal Necessary to maintain personal wellness and the continued ability to nurture one’s own interpersonal relationships. Adding energy, fun and laughter to your life.  “Living Legacy” Nursing is all about the patient, not us as the nurse. We are called to take care of ourselves, center ourselves, set our worries aside, show up, be present for those we serve. However, we need to care for ourselves in order to be “present” to those we care for. Some “detachment” and renewal of energy are necessary. Do not set impossible standards. “Living Legacy” Responses From Expert Nurses Questions to be asked of expert nurses When you think of communication in nursing, what message would you like to give students and new grads? What is one thing you learned the hard way that you would like to share to grow our profession? What words of wisdom would you like to share from your experiences?  Strategies for Renewing Energy The Body Find a physical activity you like and do it on a regular basis (but not obsessively). Dance Play Tennis Walk/Run Start with 10 minutes twice a day. The Mind Renew your energy. Music/Movies/Books Journal, play with art, and listen to music to suit or shift your mood. Add play, laughter, and humor to your life. Embellish your world with beauty in your home. Strategies for Renewal The Spirit Read inspirational material or stories. Take time to be silent and to just be and not do. Set aside a regular time to contemplate life.