I shared a story on my blog about a month ago about my experience with Nurse’s Week at my hospital. You may not have seen or read it, so I share part of that story here again today- as it is very fitting with the topic at hand.
I was gifted with the opportunity to share Reiki with the nursing staff at my organization for Nurse’s Week. I did it as a volunteer and came in on my day off to do so. I sent out an email to the nursing leadership, alerting them of my offering and telling the units they could sign up for 5 staff members to receive Reiki on a first-come, first-serve basis. I was bombarded with response and I got to share Reiki with over 3 dozen nurses on 8 different units. It was a wonderful blessing and I look forward to doing it again.
So what does this have to do with our topic of ‘support’ this month?
Well, as I sit down to write this blog post today, I think about support and receiving and the perceptions that may fly around these terms. Today I write to the statement that receiving support is not a weakness. Receiving support is a strength.
As I shared the Reiki with the nurses, each of them for about 10-12 minutes, beautiful things happened. Women relaxed. Their shoulders de-tensed. Their arms opened up and hands flapped out to their sides. Their palms turned up and their breathing slowed. Many of them nodded softly off to a light sleep. After the Reiki was over, I asked them “What did you notice? What was your experience like? How do you feel?”
The response was unanimous- relaxed, rested, energized. Some felt less pain; some shared their breathing was better; others did say they fell asleep. And we were at work! They were on their units!! They were working their scheduled shifts. This was just during their work day- ten minutes out, ten minutes for a break. And the world didn’t end!
You know I hear about it all the time; I’ve seen the posts on Facebook- Nurses being rewarded for holding their bladders and not taking breaks. Nurses being acknowledged for not eating lunch and working crazy overtime. I can’t stand it anymore. I am infuriated by those Facebook posts. I’m sick of it! I am so, so fed up!!
Receiving help is a strength. Taking a break takes courage. Allowing yourself to receive help and support is something to be proud of.
It’s in receiving that you are better able to give. It’s in sitting down, breathing, being, and resting that you are more productive.
My one day during Nurse’s Week taught me an enormous amount of beautiful lessons. Nurses CAN take a break. You can; the unit will not explode if you take five minutes to yourself. Nurses CAN relax at work. Look at the feedback I got and my experience of many of them drifting off to sleep. Nurses CAN receive. The blog post I wrote last month was about how being on the other side of things- being the receiver, sort of being like the ‘patient’, and allowing yourself to receive help and support from your colleagues, friends, family, whomever… really is the best way to be a ‘good’ nurse.
What are your thoughts and feelings around support? How do you view break time? What good can come from putting yourself on the receiving end and being treated like ‘the patient’ from time-to-time? Share a comment, reflection, or story below. Have a healthy day!
In long-term care, if you’re in a smaller facility during 2nd or 3rd shift, taking a real break can mean leaving no nurse on the floor. I’ve gotten better about at least sitting down and eating a healthier dinner, but I’m still at the nursing station charting, because I don’t dare leave the floor unattended for more than a few minutes. Definitely a work in progress. I’ve been making noises for awhile about the need for a float nurse at least until 8pm for a number of reasons, including fielding phone calls, putting out calls to doctors, handling admissions, and covering breaks. That is an expense, to be sure, but I’m willing to bet it would be offset by decreased nurse fatigue, decreased absenteeism, decreased errors, and decreased burnout resulting in having to hire and train new people.
Hi Diane,
Thank you so much for sharing your comment. I appreciate you weighing in on the discussion as it relates to your experience, your work. I hear you- not wanting to leave when you are the only nurse there. That makes total sense! But I love that you are being more mindful to sit and take a moment off of your feet… being mindful to choose and eat healthier meals while at work… being mindful to speak up and make some effort to get a float nurse. While the goal for “another nurse on until 8 pm” seems so far away, maybe even unrealistic or too lofty- we can take it just one step-at-a-time. As you say in your response, having that nurse on would reduce fatigue, absenteeism, burnout, and possibly turnover- that is cost effective! Keep doing one thing at a time, taking one step-at-a-time… Just doing what is best and healthiest for you and you will make ripples out to your workplace, your environment. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your words!
Elizabeth
Rereading my comment, it sounds like an awful downer, which wasn’t what I meant it to be. I’m glad you were able to pick out the true intent, which is to thank you for the reminder of the importance of self care, accepting help, and asking for it. I’m a long way from doing that well, but it’s good to have encouragement to keep working on it.
Love your passion to help nurses understand that it is indeed okay to take a break. Even in a 12-15hr workday I still schedule breaks in between meetings, seeing patients, and phone calls. In my opinion it doesn’t take much to feel rejuvenated and it’s never a sign of selfishness to take some time for yourself. How else are you going to be able to sustain?
Glad to hear you were able to help so many nurses Elizabeth. May these endeavors be a huge success for your practice and those individuals you’re working with.
Hi Kevin!
Great to hear from you!! I am passionate- that is for sure. Thank you for sharing what you do in a 12-15 hour workday. By sharing what you do, how you schedule small breaks in, can be an idea- an inspiration- for others. So thank you! Your question about sustainability is a fantastic one… one I was actually pondering this morning, actually. So yes, how will we sustain if we are running on empty? Thank you for stopping by and sharing from your experience. I appreciate you taking the time!
Elizabeth
I have been one of those nuses who didn’t take a bathroom break until about 7 hrs into my shift and I’m constantly drinking water! I ran and ran. I clocked out for a 30 minute break I never took because we were essentially threatened that we would be fired if we had too many “No Breaks.” Everyone is scared. If you’re there for overtime, we clock out and then go back to finishing our work. Too much O.T. is held against you. Then I heard by one of the presenters in the RCII say that if someone isn’t coding, take your bathroom break! You mentioned taking a couple minutes and walk away and just breathe. I try to do those things on a regular basis. Believe it or not, I took 5 minutes the other night to just relax after running for six hours. I had NOT taken my 30 minute break but did clock out. What happened, a nurse told my boss I seemed to have some down time!!! What? Me? I was insulted. So this is how it goes in the world of nursing these days and I agree with you, it has to stop! I don’t regret taking the 5 minutes to take a breather and will continue if and when I need to. It’s a sad state of affairs in today’s hospitals. I am so blessed to have a large support system and that includes you! Thank you for bringing it to light 😀
Marti,
Thank you for sharing your insights as it relates to your experience, your environment, and your work. I am glad that you have taken what you have learned in the RejuveNation Collaboration to heart. Each presenter is so wonderful that I too, learn something in every single workshop! I can’t wait for the next one to begin!!
As for your work and your experience with your co-worker, your downtime, and your boss… remember- we are only in control of our own thoughts and actions. We cannot control what people think, feel, say or do. We can only do what is best for us.
If a break is best for you- you do it. Yes, people will gripe and complain- but guess what? They are not YOU! Go on and take your breaks, girl! They are just jealous they didn’t (LOL).
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your comments always. I am so happy to hear that you are taking care of you.
Elizabeth
BTW, I have been a Reiki reciever in the past and it is absolutely the most wonderful, relaxing way to take your mind and body somewhere else. Somewhere beautiful, peaceful and relaxing most of all. I wish I could have a Reiki session each day I work! Taking a few minutes to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul would make all the difference in the world. What you did for those nurses during Nurse Week is beautiful and admirable. Giving of yourself and allowing those nurse to receive a beautiful gift. You are a very special person 🙂
Marti,
Oh thank you!!! You are too kind. If you ever want a Reiki treatment, I am here. :- ) Also, I am happy to travel, so ask your boss if she would have me do Reiki for your unit… now that would shock her, huh!?!
But yes, all jokes aside- Reiki is totally relaxing and restorative. It was my honor and pleasure to gift the nurses with the experience. I am just ready and excited for the next chance I get!
Which after today’s meeting with the unit I am doing my research project on… looks like it will be very soon!
Have a wonderful night,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, I too am sick and tired of it being acceptable to essentially run yourself into the ground. At the risk of appearances. We are good, dedicated nurses and if we have do something as natural as pee then we should do it. I learned the hard way of what not taking care of self so that you can care for other will do. I am with you in sharing with my audience online and coworkers in person that lunch is mandatory, bodily functions are non negotiable, and the end of the shift is the end of the shift. I am a better person, wife, nurse, sister,daughter, and friend for it.My Dad use to say how can you tell your patients xyz if you’re not doing it yourself?We must continue to lead by example.
Hi Raqui,
Your Dad was a wise man! How can we tell our patients anything at all if we do not practice it ourselves!?! I believe that to be hypocritical and unethical. Thank you for sharing your passion here in your comments. I am so glad that you see the benefits- being the better person, wife, nurse, sister, daughter, and friend- because you take care of YOU first. Because you take a break. Because you use the bathroom and eat a meal.
Thank you for stopping by and reading! Thanks for taking a moment to comment. I look forward to “seeing” you again on the blog comments.
Have a healthy day,
Elizabeth