I’m a Nurse, Solution Focused Life and Stress Management Coach and Entrepreneur.
Kathy Parlevliet, the Nurse who knows. What a moment in our nursing lives! So many adjectives to describe our emotions, unbelievable, frightening, surreal, exhausting, challenging, sad, stressful, frustrating, and the fear of the unknown. How can we possibly know how to feel when there is no end in sight? Everyday is going to war of the mind, body and spirit. Physically and emotionally draining beyond any words. Unable to describe who we are becoming. Changing strategies to combat death and keep ourselves alive is a journey that hasn’t been approached in medicine in our lifetime. Words that are given as solace aren’t comforting.
Wishing your life away at work so that you can escape at home to find some small piece of normal. Moments of trying to feel free from Corona virus taking over your body and then infecting everyone you love. How can we cope with all this stress and change? What are we suppose to be feeling? Who really cares about us and who supports us? What happens if this never leaves us? Social distancing at work is very difficult. Dressing up in gear to protect yourself is isolating. No one wants to be around you. And sadly, I don’t blame them. We are walking into a world covered in plastic and washing everything several times a day. Taking our temperature and handed a mask as the welcome to our day. And then we enter Coronaland, the night shift joyful that we finally arrived.
What can make your day better in a world of turmoil. We smile under our masks and know that as a team of nurses we are strong. Feeling overwhelmed as each new patient arrives to our unit. Being a source of reality to everyone. This is not what we signed up for…the frontline.
Feeling strong comes in many different capacities. Food is important, to allow for a mind break and nutrition to sustain you. Making sure that you stay hydrated because the gear is dehydrating. We know our strengths and weaknesses. Ask for help when needed. Take breaks and possibly walk outside is possible. Looking outside from a window and touching the glass to connect, is my routine. This will be over eventually; it really is temporary. Protect yourself and share your fears and frustrations with each other. No one at home can understand the position we are in right now. And take a deep breath that you are still here and supporting the planet through the pandemic of our lives.
We are incredible together resolving challenges and creating energy that is so powerful. A patient becomes better and transfers out of our department, closer to the front door, and going home. Medicine working and hard work prevails. We should be so proud of ourselves. Acknowledging our triumphs amidst this horrible virus.
A different normal is evolving around us. These changes can be difficult and stressful. In our department we joke about never complaining again about how nursing was,” precorona.” A regular admission or surgery, sepsis, or stroke, MI, GIBleed, we will be happy! Being a nurse is only one part of our lives. If you need support and tools to cope with all these changes, then I am here for you. The RNcoach.com
Let’s talk soon,
Kathy
© 2024 The Nurse Who Knows
