National Nurses Week: May 6th-12th 2010

Today is National  Nurse's Day. My hospital will recognize nursing care with a Luncheon/Dinner.

"NURSING YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW"

Driving transformation in our community's health care

A Cirque du Soleil Celebration especially for you!

I didn't realize how funny that title was until I wrote it here. Sometimes being a nurse does feel like a "Cirque du Soleil."  I do find myself spinning, bending, juggling and flexing to provide excellent care for patients! Kuddos for the humor! But I digress. This Blog Post is about trying to celebrate Nurses', Mom's, Dads, Love, etc., for 1 day. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the yearly recognition, but what about the other 364/365 (leap year) days?

At the yearly party, nurses' are treated to great food, SUPERB desserts buffet 

(cookie, candy, cake with take home boxes) and a raffle. Unfortunately I can barely do this within my 1/2 hour lunch. Sometimes the unit is so busy other nurses bring back food to share. Each nurse used to get a little "gift." The gifts were pretty funny and mostly useless, so the nurses voted to donate the money spent on those gifts to a local charity.( Isn't that just like us?)

While I enjoy all of this fanfare, I would give it up for more consistency year round by the administration. I want to have more communication from management. Communication that treats me like the professional I am. Communication that promotes change. Honest Communication that speaks loudly to my value to the healthcare team. I believe management suffers from inertia. By that I mean that their focus appears to be on the "brick & mortar," & gaining certifications such as "MAGNET,"( I know those are the foundation for the hospital.)

but I believe the administration could do more to promote nursing " well-being " year-round.

However,even as I write this, I realize that the appreciation for nursing & change has to come from within the "rank and file."  Change begins/comes from within each nurse.

 In view of that I'd like to share the following piece by Donna Cardillo RN,MA, in NurseWeek.

The word “Zen” is often bandied about. Although many definitions of Zen exist, it’s simply the art of being present in everything you do, giving full attention to each action, each interaction, each task. Unfortunately, we often are mentally on to the next thing before we have finished what we’re currently doing, thus shortchanging the task at hand. How can you adopt a Zen philosophy in nursing? Here are seven suggestions:

Set your intention each day. Before going to work, decide what you wish to accomplish, not in terms of tasks or projects, but in terms of an overall philosophical goal. For example, your intention might be to be patient with everyone you encounter — staff, family members and clients — and consider that they all are carrying a heavy load. Your intention can be the same each day or take a different focus.



Ground yourself. Take at least five minutes before your workday (and during the shift as necessary) for meditation, prayer and contemplation to center yourself. Spending even a few minutes with your eyes closed or cast downward, focusing on your breathing, connecting with your spirit will help you stay in touch with your inner voice and wisdom. Grounding brings you into the present moment rather than projecting into the future or obsessing about the past. A racing mind that reacts sensitively to little things has lost its spiritual power. Meditation restores that.



Create good karma. The word “karma” is derived from the Sanskrit word kri, which means “action.” It is the universal law of cause and effect that says every thought, word and act carries energy into the world. Therefore, do not judge or criticize others. Absolve not to partake in gossip or negativity of any type. Look only to help, support and encourage. Your thoughts and actions directly impact your environment.

Affirm your path. Remind yourself daily of the sacredness of your work — your chosen life path. It is truly a privilege to walk the path of the healer. Although the road may be rocky and steep, the destination is worth the journey. You save lives. You help bring new life into the world. You are there to ease the transition when life departs the body, and are there for every other aspect of the life cycle. Your work has value and meaning.



Aspire to new heights. Each day, consider how you can become a better person and a better nurse. Always be moving forward in your career and life, looking for ways to improve, to bring new positive energy into your world. This might involve learning a new skill, taking a class, getting more organized, being more generous and so on.

Be mindful in everything you do. When you are with a patient, focus only on that patient for that time and be more aware of every aspect of him or her. To be mindful is to be truly alive and present with those around you and with what you are doing. Even routine tasks can become a meditation of sorts.



Tap into abundant energy. The universal life force, also known as chi, is present in every living thing. It flows freely in us when we eat healthy food, get proper exercise, breathe clean air, live and work in an uncluttered environment, and avoid negativity. Taking care of yourself, including using modalities such as Reiki and massage therapy in your self-care routine, will help to keep you energized and doing your work at the highest level.



http://news.nurse.com/article/20100503/DD01/105030020