Your Burnout Survival Kit
By Karla Theilen, RN, contributing writer You know what it’s like when your phone battery starts draining power more quickly, and each time you recharge it, it not only seems to take longer, but the battery seems to go dead faster, too? Now think of your own battery, the one that powers you for your 12+ hour shifts. Is your battery taking longer to re-charge, and getting drained more quickly? Remember when a one-night Netflix binge could reset your mind and body for work? And now, locking yourself in a dark room and watching every episode of Game of Thrones won’t even do the trick? Friend, you may be on the fast track to burnout. Luckily, I have some tried-and-true tips to share with you. 1. 4-7-8 breathing. No, 4-7-8 is not the area code of the junk call you just received, it’s a simple, but incredibly effective stress-reducing breathing technique based on inhaling for four seconds with lips closed, holding the breath for seven seconds, then exhaling for eight whole seconds. Try exhaling through pursed lips or make a “whooshing” sound with the exhale; the point is to let it all out. You can even do this at work, in the med room, supply closet, or even the bathroom. Which reminds me to tell you, DO go to the bathroom. Nobody wins a prize for having the fullest bladder at the end of the shift. 2. Inventory your stressors. Is it just work? Or are you trying to do too much when you’re not at work, too? Start with dropping something you don’t really want to do anyhow, like the book club you’re in where nobody else but you ever reads the book. Try not reading the book next month and then just show up for the drinks and snacks like everyone else. It might actually be fun. Or drop the book club altogether, or any one of the other obligations you squeeze in outside of work that you don’t love doing. Quitters are winners sometimes—just ask a former smoker who now runs marathons. 3. Know the limits of a workday. One of the wisest things an older nurse ever told me when I was first starting out was this: Nursing is a 24-hour operation. You are only responsible for what you can get done in your twelve hours. As hard as it is for perfectionists, overachievers, or workaholics (i.e. just about every nurse I know), you need to understand that despite best intentions, things will be left undone at the end of your shift. If you truly did your best to get your patient to CT during your shift, or kept trying to do a dressing change, but the call lights didn’t stop ringing? Let it go. Others have had to leave work for you, and you have to do the same, too. Once again, nursing is a 24-hour operation, and we’re all in this together. 4. Feed yourself. I am not talking about Red Bull and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, either. Many of the convenience foods we nurses shovel down in the stolen moments away from our patients aren’t doing our bodies any favors. Too much sugar, carbs, and caffeine can actually send us nosediving into a crash when consumed in excess. Choose foods with the nutrients your body needs. Check the list of ingredients on the package. If the list is longer than your arm, or you need a translator to decode all of the mystery ingredients, give it a pass. Try cutting up an apple, slather it with peanut butter, make some hard-boiled eggs, and pop everything in your lunch bag. Fill your water bottle while you’re at it, too. Your kidneys will thank you. Now that you’ve done your body a favor, you can have those Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, guilt-free. 5. Fill your bucket. Even though Netflix, margaritas, or even a spa day can provide temporary relief, make changes that actually nourish your being long-term. Develop a practice of walking, stretching, take an art class, or engage in a hobby that brings you joy. One surprisingly effective, bucket-filling habit is simply learning to say no. Even the best nurse out there needs to have good boundaries, and a personal life, too. Karla Theilen is a writer, storyteller, and Registered Nurse based out of Missoula, Montana. Her writing has been featured on NPR, STAT News, Life in a Strong Town, and select stories and essays have been anthologized. She has been Facebook-free since 1972.
CHOOSING A TRAVEL NURSE ASSIGNMENT
Every nurse has their idea of “the perfect” assignment. The problem can be getting a recruiter or agent to understand. For instance, how small is a “small” town? Take the traveler who, when she first started, had a recruiter who wanted to send her to a small town of only 90,000 people, to which the nurse immediately replied, “But you don’t understand, I’m from a town of 1250.” That’s what’s so wonderful about travel assignments; you can choose a big city or a small town. You can try out a small hospital, like Critical Access Hospital, or you can go to a substantial Level-1 trauma center. Here are 7 things to consider when choosing a travel assignment: See what’s available on the job board. You usually have a wide variety if you are in ICU, ER, OB, MST, or OR. You will be quite limited if you work Psych, Rehab, and House Supervisor. Decide where you want to go according to your hobbies. Do you enjoy skiing? Hiking? The mountains? The beach? Love to play golf? Ask yourself what type of city/town you’re looking for. Do you want the hustle and bustle of a big city? Some people are just the opposite and love the peace and quiet of a small rural area. What about a happy medium in the suburbs? What size and type of hospital are you looking for? Everything is out there, from prestigious super hospitals with Level 1 trauma centers to teaching facilities with the most challenging NICU patients. Then you have your Critical Access Hospitals, which usually have an ER, 25-bed med/surg, and maybe a small 2-4 bed ICU. And of course, there’s everything in between. Keep your profile up-to-date with your agency. Jobs can be offered and filled within hours. This is where it’s nice for you or a recruiter to be ready to submit within a few minutes of the posting. Be very careful about having two different agencies submit your profile to the same facility. Another general rule is never letting an agency submit your profile without your explicit consent. The only exception would be if you have a “hard to find” specialty and you are working ONLY with one agency. Make sure that the pay package fits your budget. How much do you need to pay your bills? How much do you need for the costs of duplicating expenses? Is it in line with what staff is making, plus having your housing and meal costs covered? You can also look at job listings and see what others are offering. By following these simple but effective tips, you can easily find yourself in a great place to work. Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM, is a 30-year career nurse and writer who has traveled in the areas of rehab, telemetry, emergency room, and since 2010, as a House Supervisor. She currently works from home educating nurses on becoming better travelers through her books, several travel nursing groups, and her recent development of a travel nursing university.
The patient experiences that stay with me
By Bob Goldnetz When I think of what patient experiences have stayed with me, I think about simple human connection. That I’m not a nurse just going through the motions. That my patient is another person, with their own life, memories, and experiences. And that it could very easily be me or one of my family members in that bed. We all try to treat our patients the same, but there are those that we find a special camaraderie with. The people who I feel like I’m playing a part in their story and I have the opportunity to make their story better. I may only be present for a couple of pages, several paragraphs, or perhaps just one single sentence in the book that is their life, but in those words, perhaps I can do some good. When people are in the hospital, especially the ICU, they are at their most vulnerable. I try to understand that, but people can have unrealistic expectations. It reminds me when you go out to eat and people are rude to staff. I don’t get it: why? You chose to go out to eat, to wait, to be served. In the same way, I am here to help and advocate for you. Besides your family, nurses are more on your team and aware of your care than anyone. During these moments, it’s incredible just how far a simple “thank you” can go. I don’t need a card, or a pat on the back. I don’t need pizza, donuts, or flowers. I don’t need anything else. We encounter our patients at their lowest of low. It could be the singular worst moment of their life. Who can be expected to handle such a moment with poise? In these moments where people so badly want to get better, and we want to get them there. At a time when patients are sicker than ever, staffing is not only short but burned out; and expectations are high. Those two sincere words make me feel appreciated and bring back memories of my aspirations as a new nurse. I have many great snapshot moments with patients. But the day in, day out, simple moments of connection, conversation, commonality are what continue to inspire me. Some people can make a bad week into a great day. A “thank you” can truly make it all worthwhile. I think of my nursing school admission essay, about being a light in the darkness. I thought I could make a difference as a nurse, and I am reminded, to someone, that sometimes I do. Bob Goldnetz is an ICU travel nurse who has worked at various levels of hospitals across the country. When he’s not learning how to be a new dad or taking care of patients, you may find him backpacking, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, mountain biking, paragliding, or rock climbing.
Get the nurse job that you want
By Kay Slane Healthcare Professionals are always looking for the ultimate travel job. And whether it’s mountains, beaches, cold weather, or hot weather, every traveler has their own idea of a great location. A big problem in 2022 is that jobs are moving at lightning speed. A job can be posted at 9 am, and by 1:00 p.m., the vendor or hospital gets over 100 profiles for nurses who are interested in that position. With the market being flooded with nurses, it’s tough to find that perfect assignment, especially if you are just getting into travel healthcare with only a few years of experience as a healthcare professional. Now more than ever, it’s important to do your research in an agency that understands the market volatility and how difficult it is to find travel healthcare jobs. They need to be dedicated to making this process as seamless as possible by giving healthcare travelers the tools to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. However, some of the best jobs are now being discovered by technology platforms for healthcare professionals that let you find, book, and manage your next job from one place, without a recruiter. With these options you can: Search the highest-paying nursing and allied health jobs nationwide. Get full pay details with complete transparency. Personalize your pay package and benefits. Apply, accept offers, sign & upload documents, and get updates in real-time. Manage compliance and timesheets, request extensions, and more. All with no recruiter costs, so you take home the most money. This new technology gives you all the tools you need to have a successful travel career. With the jobs being updated in real-time and alerts sent to your email box, you get the upper hand over other travelers who don’t take advantage of a rapid fulfillment system. In essence, you’re finally in total control of your destiny. You choose where you want to go. There are no recruiters to try to get you into the assignment that’s most profitable for the agency. You decide what is most beneficial and best fits your criteria. You also never have to worry about being submitted to a hospital that doesn’t fit your nursing style. YOU control where and when you submit for a contract, ensuring that you take control of your future, and that your profile finds the manager’s desk first. That sounds like the ultimate travel job to me. Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM, is a 30-year career nurse and writer who has traveled in the areas of rehab, telemetry, emergency room, and since 2010, as a House Supervisor. She currently works from home educating nurses on becoming better travelers through her books, several travel nursing groups, and her recent development of a travel nursing university.
WHY TRAVEL NURSING CONTINUES TO BE FOR ME
By Bob Goldnetz My nursing career has brought many blessings: financial stability, the ability to travel and form relationships, and the comfort of knowing I will always have a career. And as much as I love the outdoors, can I give surf lessons or instruct mountain biking for a living while having health insurance, providing for my family, and working decent hours? Not likely. Therefore, at this point in my life, nursing continues to be for me—for the flexibility and stability. Financial stability The travel market is saturated, but I have a skill set where I will always be in demand and always be able to put food on the table. As a new father, this is on the forefront of my mind as we plan for the future. A while back, a second career nurse painted it perfectly. He got laid off in the early 2000s and went to nursing school. He smiled as he recalled how he had now been through two financial recessions but never felt the strain. Had he not become a nurse, he would have been in a difficult boat being the provider for his family. Flexibility Right now, I enjoy a 3-day work week. With all the things that come with homeownership, fatherhood, relationship stability, and self-maintenance, I enjoy this freedom to choose what works best for me. Do not disturb When I am off, I am off. I give what I have and do everything within my power and abilities when I am at work. But when I am out, it’s out of sight out of mind. No one calls me on my day off, and no one bothers me when I am on vacation. I sometimes envy people and what they have going on with their remote gigs and seemingly different flexibility—but not when they have to suddenly take a call or hop on an impromptu meeting. Freedom The last thing is the consistency of taking time off. When I became a travel nurse, I basically started working 6-8 months a year averaging a month off in between assignments. Every now and then I would take 2-4 months off to travel. Being able to schedule time off into a contract or taking time off between assignments means you can have a break anytime you want. I have only ever worked ICU. I feel fortunate to have been a travel nurse for ¾ of my nursing career, so my experiences are very different from staff or newer travelers. If I were to get overly burned out, there are still so many things I could do. Of greatest benefit is that I get to be home with my family 4 days a week. Every week. I’m not home by dinner and there are long days, but I have not missed any milestones. I didn’t have paternity leave, but I had the ability to take a month off at our son’s birth. As I now break ground as a nurse entrepreneur, the sky’s the limit. Bob Goldnetz is an ICU travel nurse who has worked at various levels of hospitals across the country. When he’s not learning how to be a new dad or taking care of patients, you may find him backpacking, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, mountain biking, paragliding, or rock climbing. << How to Begin Your Travel Nurse Career
How to Begin your Travel Nurse Career
By Kay Slane After you complete two years of experience, it’s understandable if you’re anxious to get out there and see what the travel nurse life is all about. But first, there are several things you need to get started. Fortunately, none of them are too complicated. Let’s take a look: 1 After 1.5 years of experience, it’s recommended that you get a skills checklist, which can be downloaded from most agency websites. And when you can do 80% of those tasks independently, you’re ready to go. 2 Travelers need to realize that orientation can last for 4 hours to 4 days because travelers are expected to hit the ground running with minimal supervision. 3 Another must for first-time travelers: Be flexible and adaptable. You need to look at every location, hospital setting, and reviews that you can find about a place. Just because it isn’t in a prime location like Hawaii or Alaska doesn’t mean it won’t be a gratifying assignment. Once you gain more travel experience, you can become more selective about where you want to work. 4 One of the first mistakes that travel healthcare professionals get caught up in is the big world of travel healthcare, only to find out that they’ve been set up for failure by an agency that isn’t “legit.” Travelers must always ensure that an agency is Joint Commission Certified (HCSS). 5 Make sure your resume information is up-to-date. Some agencies will take a short application and a resume, while some want everything on the application related to profile submission formatting. Either way, it’s nice to have all your information and job history on file with agency, hospital, dates, hospital size, unit size, and specialty, with a simple one to two sentences on your duties. 6 Last but not least, ensure that you have your credentials on file to make them easy to find. Few things are worse than having to hunt for your BLS, TNCC, or AWHONN certification that you haven’t seen since you received them a year ago. 7 Don’t forget to breathe during this process! With these simple tips, you’ll be able to hit the road sooner than you think, and you won’t be pulling your hair out trying to do things at the last minute. Best wishes and happy travels! Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM, is a 30-year career nurse and writer who has traveled in the areas of rehab, telemetry, emergency room, and since 2010, as a House Supervisor. She currently works from home educating nurses on becoming better travelers through her books, several travel nursing groups, and her recent development of a travel nursing university.
5 Tips to Succeed as a Travel Nurse
Great pay, more flexibility, the chance to see new places and build relationships are key reasons why being a travel nurse has such appeal. But how can you help ensure the experience goes well? Here are some quick tips for success. Do your research. Find the right company with the support you need to fit your desires, goals, and even your personality. It’s like dating. You’re going to want to make sure it’s a good fit before committing to anything, so you want a team that’s dependable and who you can work with if the going gets rough—the same team you’re happy to send fun selfies to if you love your assignment. Get organized. Have your licenses, credentials, vaccination records, and certificates up-to-date and uploaded on your computer. This will save you and your recruiter a lot of headaches. DO sweat the small stuff in this case, because these are the things that can delay getting you into your dream assignment. Staffing platforms such as the StaffDNA app make it easy to keep your profile updated and complete so you’re able to be submitted quickly to the jobs you want. And with StaffDNA, your credentials remain accessible from assignment to assignment, so it’s easier to apply to your next contract or extend your current one. Be the kind of nurse you want to work with. Arrive at a new assignment ready to work, not with a list of days off that you need. Facilities use contract nurses because they are short staffed: be part of the solution, not the problem. Just because you are a hired gun doesn’t mean you have to act like one. Nurses know that teamwork makes the dream work. Introduce yourself to your new team, tell them a little bit about yourself, and ask questions. This will break the ice and let them know that you value their input. Your nursing chops will speak for themselves. Don’t waste your time (or theirs) by puffing up your chest talking about your skills and experiences—just show them what you’ve got when the rubber hits the road. Be Clear. Have clarity with both your recruiter and yourself. If you’ve got your heart set on Arizona for a winter assignment, don’t get talked into Alaska. If you know 36 hours/week is your limit, don’t commit to a 48 hour/week contract. 48 hours/week on your feet feels a lot different that 48 hours in front of Netflix; but it pays a heck of a lot better, and for some nurses this will be worth it! Knowing your limits and setting goals for work/life balance will make life easier and better for you, your recruiter, and your future teammates. Cover all of your bases: most importantly, home base. After a long day, you want to be sure you have a safe, quiet place to shut the door behind you. Furnished Finders, Airbnb, VRBO, and Tripping.com offer a variety of short-term housing options for nurses, though some nurses prefer extended stay hotels with the free breakfasts and daily housekeeping services. Consider the neighborhood. Is it noisy? If you are a night shifter, you’re not going to want a place next to an elementary school playground. On the other hand, day shifters might think twice about that super cool loft space above a nightclub. Most importantly, start your search early so you have a comfy place to curl up and watch The Bachelor after your first day on the job. Been thinking about embracing the travel nurse lifestyle? LiquidAgents Healthcare provides concierge-level service and support from experienced recruiters to help guide and ensure your success through the whole process. Lean more to the tech savvy side? StaffDNA allows you to manage your healthcare career using a 100% mobile self-service platform. You get complete control to find, book, and manage assignments yourself, from one app, with access to the highest pay packages available. Whichever way you choose, travel nursing has many benefits, and we hope these tips can help position you for success. Karla Theilen is a writer, storyteller, and Registered Nurse based out of Missoula, Montana. Her writing has been featured on NPR, STAT News, Life in a Strong Town, and select stories and essays have been anthologized. She has been Facebook-free since 1972.
Five Things Travel Nursing Has Taught Me
By Alex McCoy, Contributing Writer, Owner of Fit Travel Life There is a lot to learn in the travel nursing world. When I first sat down to try to figure out how to make travel nursing work for me, I was quickly overwhelmed with all of the knowledge I needed to be successful. From working with recruiters to navigating short term housing to working on a unit after a very brief orientation, the skills learned as a traveler are unique to this very special career field. Fear not, I did manage to navigate all of these areas and have had a very happy, successful career as a traveler thus far. The great thing about the modern world is the plethora of information available on the internet that will help you get started on your great travel nursing adventure. What an internet search can’t teach you is how the experience of travel nursing will change you. Whether you are working as a local traveler or crisscrossing the country, you will see a shift in mindset and be shocked at what you can learn about yourself on a 13-week assignment. 1. Living simply gets easier with practice A huge source of stress for new travel nurses is how to pare down their possessions to what can fit in their car. While this is definitely difficult at first, it will get easier as you go along. What I have noticed is at some point the hassle of having to unpack, pack and carry certain items around begins to outweigh the perks of actually having those items with you. As a general rule, if you bring something along for one assignment and do not use it the entire 13 weeks, it’s time to either take that item back home or get rid of it. Similarly, I also like to weigh the pros and cons of buying certain items at each assignment rather than packing them each time. For example, you can get a cheap coffee pot if needed at each location and donate it at the end of your 13 weeks or pass it to another traveler rather than taking up space in your car. 2. There are lots of people out there looking for a friend So many people are worried about being lonely while on assignment. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: there are people everywhere just waiting to be your friend. The reality is as adults it is incredibly difficult to make new friends. For some reason, as we age we get more closed off and less likely to reach out to new people and actually invite them to hang out or sit down and have a real conversation. Be friendly, reach out and actually make the first “move” and you will find it is much easier to make friends than you fear to go in. 3. Independence is a learned but useful skill I found as a travel nurse my personal limits were pushed more than I could have ever anticipated. When you are working a permanent job and the inevitable chaos of life hits, you usually have the comfort of family or friends to fall back on. As a traveler, these support systems may still be available to lend an ear if you have a bad day, but you learn how to navigate a lot without having someone who can show up and take the stress off in person. One of the coolest things traveling helped me realize is how resilient I am. After growing up and having tons of family nearby to call to lift heavy things, pick me up when my car broke down, or do a quick favor around the house it has been incredibly gratifying to realize I can accomplish a lot without someone there to lend a hand. One of my proudest moments was unpacking my entire car by myself for the first time. It was exhausting and felt like it took about 8 million trips, but it was the first time I had ever managed to move without help, and that was a really cool feeling. 4. Google can be used for just about anything The beauty of traveling in the modern age is everything is figure-out-able (yep, that’s definitely a real word). But seriously, Google turned into my best friend as a travel nurse. Internet searches can help you with just about everything you need as a traveler. I use it to find housing, to make sure that housing is safe, to find a gym, and even for connecting with other travelers in the area. If you are unhappy or lonely at an assignment then you can use the incredible power of the world wide web and find just about anything that will help perk up your mood or make life a little easier. 5. Things will always work out If you choose to work as a travel nurse for an extended period of time you will inevitably experience some hiccups along the way. The key to pushing through these times is to remember that a month or a year or ten years from now most of these bumps in the road won’t matter. I choose to believe if something doesn’t work out, there is a good reason for that and whatever is coming next will be even bigger and better in the long run. Maybe a contract gets canceled but you meet your new best friend at the replacement job. Maybe your car broke down and your road trip was delayed but you avoided a worse wreck down the road. Maybe you took a lower-paying job right before a great opportunity opened up but you end up at your dream location. In the long run, as long as you end up happier and feeling accomplished, the little issues along the way truly don’t matter. Working as a travel nurse has its ups and downs for sure. However, the experience of working as a travel nurse is one that
Traveler Tips: Setting Realistic Expectations For Your Healthcare Career
By Alex McCoy, Contributing Writer, Owner of Fit Travel Life Working in travel healthcare is a great way to branch out in more ways than one. Traveling allows you to visit new areas, expand your skills as a practitioner and build relationships across the United States. When you first leave your staff job, there is a certain thrill of anticipation that becomes embedded in your soul, and your world is suddenly open to a host of possibilities. As a brand new traveler, it can be hard to balance these great expectations with a small dose of reality. Not every assignment will fulfill every point on your list of assignment goals, but by setting some realistic travel nurse expectations, your career can strike a balance between fun, adventure and regular employment. Know what you want from each assignment A great way to have success in any situation is to set goals. Travel nursing is no different. Before starting your career as a traveler, it is important to sit down and think about what you hope to accomplish by working as a travel nurse. Decide if you have a set amount of time you plan to travel or if you are going to reassess how you feel at the end of each contract. Then, set some financial goals for yourself. One of the most popular reasons to work as a travel nurse is financial security. For a majority of people travel healthcare is more lucrative than working in a permanent position. This could allow you to spend more money on travel between assignments, or give you enough extra cash to save for a large purchase such as a house. During other assignments, you may have the chance to work in a dream location. While you may not earn as much during this time, there should be other positives to focus on during these types of contracts. Every job may not come with a killer location and awesome pay rate, so setting a specific goal for each assignment is a great way to stay focused and keep a positive attitude even if you had to make some compromises on location or unit setting. Decide if there are other “must-haves” for each contract Some travel nurses are very particular about shift while others are happy to work nights or rotate if needed. While it is not impossible to travel as a days-only nurse, it can limit your job options. By limiting your shift preference, you may also limit your location or even pay. Most hospitals do not offer a traditional differential for travelers, but they may set a higher bill rate for a night shift position. The same rule applies to other non-nursing specialties. If you are a therapist, limiting your setting may result in fewer job options. Radiology travelers may have to be willing to work an odd shift or take a little more call than they would like. Each field has different considerations, but being open to new settings or learning new skills is helpful when trying to land a contract. Other things to consider for each contract are time off, holiday schedule, and floating stipulations. Adding a laundry list of requirements to your contract may cause managers to pass you over for more flexible candidates, but do not agree to something you are unable to sustain for your entire contract. Expect a few bumps in the road Anyone who has worked as a travel nurse will have a story or two about a time where almost nothing went according to plan. However, most of these people will also tell you they have stayed in the field and rolled with the punches. Whether your assignment gets canceled, your licensing takes longer than expected, or you have to change housing plans last minute, know that it is all part of the journey and take each hiccup as a learning experience. Keeping an open mind and being flexible is key to working as a traveler. If your experience is wearing you down more than you can handle, do not be afraid to reach out for help or advice. There are some great online communities for travelers to connect, and chances are someone has experienced a similar situation. Don’t be afraid to reassess at the end of each assignment One of the best parts of being a traveler is you do not have to do it for very long. Some people take one assignment and realize the lifestyle is not the right choice for them, while others spend years working travel jobs. There is no one-size-fits-all requirement, and by going in with realistic expectations you can be better prepared to make your experience as a traveler right for you.
How to Take Care of Yourself as a Travel Nurse
By Natalie Newman, Contributing Writer Stress is synonymous with nursing. Because of the constant changes in the healthcare environment and the rapid growth in healthcare technology, one can easily become stressed and disillusioned. I have 6 simple principles I incorporate into my daily life to ensure I am healthy, happy and emotionally strong as a nurse, no matter where my travels take me: Safety in the Hospital There are a number of dangerous chemicals in a hospital. Nurses especially are continuously exposed to bleach wipes and alcohol hand sanitizer, but too much exposure to these chemicals can cause damage to skin and lungs over time. I always hold my breath when using the bleach wipes and I don’t stand too close after using chemical products. I bring my own “natural” hand sanitizer and carry it in my pocket. I also run whenever I hear the word “x-ray.” Not just 6 feet away — but in another room hidden behind a wall! Continuous radiation is a serious health concern for health care providers. Talk Constantly being around sick people and emergent situations can lead to burnout. Also, at some point in your nursing career, there may be a patient death. It most likely won’t be your fault, but you will still feel awful about it and potentially take those feelings home with you for a long time. This happened to me and I constantly wondered “What if I did something different and saw something sooner?” But after hours of talking to other nurses, doctors, friends and professionals, I realized there was truly nothing I could do. I was shocked to learn how many nurses and doctors also process death the same way I did and even experience depression. Please, don’t bottle up your feelings. I wish everyone were more open and honest with their life experiences so we can understand that sometimes death is a normal process. The more we support each other and talk honestly, the better the outcomes for our team and patients. See the daylight Being in a hospital all day, especially in units with no windows, can affect your internal rhythm. Humans need to breathe outside air and be in sunlight. Therefore, on my breaks, I usually take a walk. Even if it is just for 5 minutes around the building, I take continuous deep breaths of fresh air to recharge. Plan your days off Even if you’re planning on just relaxing and doing nothing, make that your intention. Living with intention is key to a happy life. I like to plan something relaxing or fun for a much needed day off. If I totally unwind or learn something new, I’m feeding my brain which will always thank me later. The workplace can be a stressful environment for all, so I often find new things to do and learn and then invite other co-workers to join me. Don’t give into stress The cliche “follow your gut,” is not necessarily the best advice. You know when you think about something sad or frustrating and those nervous feelings in your stomach start churning? That is cortisol, a stress hormone. Never make decisions or conclusions from that stress hormone, or from anger or out of fear. If something is bothering you, use a combination of your intuition and analytical thinking. This can help you see the situation as it really is, without emotions involved. Regardless of how you deal with these situations, it’s important and rewarding to find your own way to be calm, rational, and professional. Hold hands and give hugs Medical studies have shown the most effective way to de-stress quickly is to give a hug or hold hands. When appropriate, I hug my patients especially when I know they are scared or lonely. I will get down to their eye level and hold their hand while talking to them. I can’t even begin to tell you how effective this is in healing and happiness. When my grandfather’s oncologist prepared to tell him of his fatal diagnosis, she knelt down first, looked him in the eye, held his hand and calmly gave the news. It was such a touching, compassionate and sincere way to speak to a patient. I will always remember her compassion as a nurse and family member. Following these 6 simple daily principles has allowed me to enjoy nursing to its fullest and additionally has helped me become a better nurse, over and over. Natalie’s Social Media YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NatalieNumie/