I’m a Nurse, Solution Focused Life and Stress Management Coach and Entrepreneur.
Kathy Parlevliet, the Nurse who knows. Isn’t it amazing how we have been identified as the frontline? This verbiage becomes indicative of a war scenario. Nursing has always been a profession of running towards emergencies. Being a part of the pandemic at the bedside, fighting for life, should make us recognize how special we really are. Our gear and masks attempting to protect us from our own possible illness. And then the bigger fear of bringing it home to our loved ones. These moments will not be forgotten by us.
How does this make you feel with the word,” frontline”? What do you do to take off the mental experience of this pandemic? When do you feel safe?
These questions have been a part of our conversation at work. It is helpful to feel supported and not alone in your feelings. Sometimes we make jokes about how we use to dress before going to see a patient in their room. Just walk in and start your job. Agreeing that we can’t wait to return to some sort of new normal. Facetime is the new way for families to visit their loved ones in the hospital. Anxiety is a constant emotion for everyone. Recognizing our vulnerabilities is apparent every time you put on your gear. Keep talking about your feelings to each other.
This mental experience is difficult to describe to others outside the pandemic hospital experience. Do you really want to expose all your concerns and fears around your job to people who love you? Although compassionately it feels like the right thing to do, I encourage slow exposure of your work life. This is your life, and it is real. Allowing your feelings to be expressed by sharing moments of what a day of work entails. Sadness because we can’t save lives the same. Joy because we see a glimpse of healing. As a human race we are curious. Allow others to understand the depth of your experiences during this pandemic. Let your mind slowly unwind by sharing, so you can let go of some of these feelings. Remember, this is temporary.
Feeling safe is the greatest challenge. Knowing that you enter a place full of potential virus everywhere, is unsettling. Continuing to do the best you can to protect yourself, doesn’t always seem enough. Always wiping and washing everything you use. It is exhausting and never-ending during the course of your shift. Keep up the great work, and then take that deep breath of fresh air as you leave the building. Looking up to the sky and letting the feelings of the day slowly disappear.
If you are struggling with your feelings about this pandemic. I am here for you, theRNcoach.com.
Let’s talk soon,
Kathy
© 2024 The Nurse Who Knows
