If you are a nurse, isn’t it time you prioritise your self-care?
Hello, I’m Linda, a qualified and experienced counsellor, hypnotherapist, and coach at Awaken the Change. With over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse in the NHS, private practice, and abroad, I understand the daily challenges and stresses that nurses face. From working night shifts in an acute orthopaedic ward to managing large hospital wards and being a nurse educator, I have been where you are. I know how easy it is to put others before yourself, but it is crucial to remember that you are just as important as your patients are.
In this blog post, I will share insights and strategies on self-care and highlight the professional help available through my service, Awaken the Change.
Understanding the importance of self-care
As nurses, we are trained to prioritise our patients’ well-being, often at our own expense. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, stress, and anxiety. I know how it feels. You want to do more and provide the highest standards of care, but studying, limited resources, and unexpected situations can be difficult.
It is essential to recognise that taking care of oneself is not selfish. Self-care helps recharge, maintain physical and mental health, and continue providing the best care for patients. Consequently, self-care is a winner for everyone.
Recognising the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety
The first step in self-care for nurses is recognising when you need help.
Nurses often experience stress and anxiety, believing that it is just a part of the job. I agree that there are often overwhelming pressures and emotional challenges. For example, suddenly, you are understaffed in the ward as three nurses go off sick. Or a patient you have been looking after unexpectedly has a heart attack and dies. Being moved by your manager to a different ward or department that you don’t know or like can also be stressful.
But you need to do something if the feelings of stress and anxiety go on for days, weeks or months because prolonged stress can lead to serious health issues. Some signs to watch for include:
- Physical Symptoms – Headaches, fatigue, general aches and pains, medical problems such as IBS, skin issues and sleep disturbances.
- Emotional Symptoms – Feelings of overwhelm, irritability, anger, tearfulness and sadness.
- Behavioural Symptoms include withdrawal from social activities, procrastination, changes in appetite and eating patterns, and decreased performance at work.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to take action.
Getting a check-up at the doctor is also a good idea.
Hypnotherapy for anxiety: a powerful tool for nurses
The emotional symptoms of anxiety are different for different people. Still, they could include excessive worrying, trouble concentrating or making decisions, negative thinking, fears, feeling out of control, and the inability to do things you used to enjoy.
One of the most effective ways to manage anxiety is through hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy might not be the first thing that you think of when you want to relax, but it is a valuable way to not only relax but also to let go of stress and anxiety issues, change negative habits and progress.
You might have a fear that could use some help. For example, you might be fearful of exams, senior people in the hospital, cardiac arrests, or working with some people. You might worry a lot about work. You might have difficulty sleeping or struggle with personal issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. Hypnotherapy can help with these issues and more.
At Awaken the Change, I offer online hypnotherapy sessions tailored to your needs. You might need only one relaxing session to learn to switch off or more to deal with a problem. I often combine CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with hypnosis to help you understand the issues and change.
Counselling: talking through your challenges
Sometimes, talking through your challenges with a professional can provide immense relief. As a former nurse, I understand the unique pressures of the profession. Nurses need to talk about troubling aspects of work with someone confidentially.
I am an integrative counsellor, meaning I can use various approaches to meet your needs. I specialise in CBT, so six sessions of counselling with me are common. My sessions provide a safe space for you to explore your feelings, develop coping mechanisms, and gain a new perspective on your situation. In addition, you can have counselling with me via Zoom at different times of the day to suit you and your shift patterns.
Coaching: improving your personal and professional goals
Coaching is another powerful tool for self-care. Whether you are looking to advance your career, improve your work-life balance, or achieve personal goals, coaching can help.
I offer personalised coaching sessions designed to help you identify goals, create a plan, and stay motivated. Also, as an academic, I can help with writing essays and studying techniques.
My personal journey from nurse to therapist
Let me share my journey a bit.
I have worked as a registered nurse in various capacities for over thirty years. My career began in an acute orthopaedic ward, where I worked night shifts for seven years. I was given a lot of responsibility in that job. I learnt a lot, and it was really scary at times. It was exhausting and challenging, but it taught me about resilience and the importance of teamwork.
I applied for a night nurse manager job but wasn’t successful because I didn’t have enough medical experience. This was disappointing, but I learnt that you can’t always have what you want at the time that you want it. This wasn’t going to stop me from progressing, so I worked in a cardiac unit and medical ward for a while.
My next big step was to move to London and work in a private hospital on a busy cardiac floor. This was physically exhausting and provided different challenges with patients from overseas, including language difficulties and developing a deeper understanding of cultural and religious beliefs and practices. Private practice was also different from working in the NHS.
Fast forward, and I became interested in ophthalmology as ophthalmic nurses seemed much calmer than cardiac nurses. I moved to Moorfields Hospital in London and completed my ophthalmic training. I loved the intensity of such a small part of the body. I enjoyed learning about the emotional and sociological impact of visual impairment. However, I hated the split shift patterns at the hospital, and even though I highlighted this to my manager, there was no alternative but to leave.
To ensure my happiness and self-care, I changed hospitals again, this time to another private hospital and later to a specialist ophthalmic hospital, Westbourne Eye Hospital in Bournemouth, Dorset.
My next move was to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where I worked in education, bed management, volunteer services, and the patient advice and liaison service (PALS).
I was always looking for more challenges, so I completed a counselling and hypnotherapy course and continued to study and set up my therapy business.
Finally, I worked in Australia as a nurse educator in ophthalmology. I loved the job, but the added stressors of visas and learning the culture of another hospital were challenging.
As my interest in the emotional aspects of people’s lives grew, I decided to continue with my counselling, hypnotherapy, and coaching business and study more. Today, I work full-time in my business, helping others and sharing my ways to progress and enjoy life.
My self-care tips
Generally, I am a positive person, but just like you, I have had times when I felt overwhelmed and wondered if I could cope with all the demands on me and my time. I had a full-time job, children, and a husband who wasn’t always in the best health.
I remember the most stressful times well. You see, as I progressed in my career, I took on more responsible roles. I became a ward sister and bed manager at a large hospital. It was hard work, but I loved the challenges.
However, at one time, I also experienced the pressures of being micro-managed. It was during this time that I sought counselling. These sessions were transformative, helping me understand my situation and develop strategies to cope with the
I knew about self-care, and as time was precious, this is how I learnt to cope.
- I always used a diary to help me prioritise my daily routines.
- I got up earlier in the mornings to fit in the things I wanted, like studying. (I am a morning person, so this was easier for me than staying up late at night).
- I mixed with positive, supportive and inspiring people.
- I talked about difficult situations confidentially with other trusted nurses who understood and offered solutions.
- I tried to give myself more ‘me time’ when the pressures were high.
- I ate a well-balanced diet most of the time.
- I made a point of learning from my mistakes.
- I said ‘no’ sometimes when asked if I could do another shift.
- I looked for smarter ways of doing things without reducing standards.
- I had hobbies like painting, crocheting and jewellery making that I could do alone. (I love mixing with people, but sometimes I must be alone.)
- When working seven nights on shifts I would plan to do something on my seven nights off. As I love travelling, I would book days out or short holidays in Europe.
- I usually booked my annual leave in advance so that I had regular holidays, as I always started to get tired after working for three months continuously.
Summary of more practical self-care tips for nurses
Here are some practical self-care tips that can help you manage stress and maintain your well-being:
- Prioritise Sleep – Ensure you get enough rest. Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental health.
- Healthy Eating – Maintain a balanced diet to keep your energy levels up.
- Exercise Regularly – Physical activity is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mood.
- Set Boundaries – Learn to say no and set boundaries to protect your time and energy.
- Seek Professional Help – If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Counselling, hypnotherapy, and coaching can provide the support you need.
Why choose Awaken the Change?
At Awaken the Change, I offer a range of services designed to support nurses on their self-care journey. My unique background as a nurse gives me a deep understanding of the challenges that you face. Here’s how I can help:
– **Hypnotherapy for Anxiety**: Effective techniques to manage and reduce anxiety.
– **Counselling**: A safe space to explore your feelings and develop coping strategies.
– **Coaching**: Personalised sessions to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Book a free initial consultation and find out more.
Finally, nurses, you deserve to be well, so make self-care part of your life.
