Nurses Week- day 6 and 7

I hope all you nurses out there had a wonderful Nurses Week and that all you mothers had a beautiful Mother's Day weekend!
And here's the last of the Nurses week posts! finally. I'm kind of excited to post non-nursing things again. :)
*goal for next year: schedule out my posts way in advance so I'm not leaving you hanging! Thanks for reading these anyway. You guys are the best. :)

Nursing Wellness
We all know you have to be taking care of yourself in order to take care of others. Eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep, manage your stress. Easier said then done, I know. Some hospitals have even created nursing wellness committees to help address these issues!
My hospital is always trying new things to help improve staff wellness and moral. They currently have a couple units trialing an aromatherapy program, like this one:

thoughts? I'm a little skeptical, but I figure every little bit helps! (I just don't want to be smelling lemon-GI bleed, ya know what I mean?)
My hospital also provides classes for employees like healing touch, financial guidance, living with diabetes, tons of birth courses, etc. They have a gym on site and a marked walking path around the facility. They really do a good job trying to provide resources for nurses to take care of themselves.
bonus: here are 17 tips for nurse wellness (well, this applies to humans in general).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ode to Florence

image

After reading her biography again, I've found that other than the fact that we're both nurses, Florence and I have very little in common. 

My family didn't oppose my career choice. 

I got married, while she felt that married life would not satisfy her "moral...active nature" and turned down a man who "stimulated her intellectually and romantically."

I have never aspired to be a leader like her nor have I risen to an occasion like she did. An occasion like building a hospital from scratch during a war. 

Basically, she's a whole lot cooler than me.

I grew up watching this animated version of Florence Nightingale. Gets me every time. 

a couple fun facts: 

-the soldiers in the hospital had a pet tortoise named Jimmy. His shell is at the Florence Nightingale Museum in London. 

-As a girl, Florence had a pet owl named Athena. 

Just in case you were curious, my hospital celebrated Nurses Week a few different ways: a professional development fair on Monday, Manager's passed out a gift on Tuesday, on Wednesday there was cake delivered to every unit, Thursday was early morning beverages in the lobby, and Friday was ice cream delivery day.

Did you know it's National Hospital Week now? Grab the chance to recognize all the other fabulous healthcare workers, because nurses couldn't do it without ya. :)

ps. Don't forget to enter this giveaway to win some Dansko shoes! 

Day 4 & 5 of nurses week: Dansko review and giveaway!

This ends the brief intermission of nurses week. I'm hoping to get caught up on all my posts today!
Here we go.

As Nurses Week was approaching, a Dansko rep contacted me about reviewing one of their new shoes for Spring. I had three options to pick from: professional flower power, sedona elise, or professional art palette. Now, I think we all know of my print/pattern aversion when it comes to scrubs and how I only get solid colors... but there was something about these shoes and I made an exception!

I can't tell you how many people (co-workers, patients and their families, etc.) complimented me on these shoes. I've been having conversations like this:

"Those are fun!" (I know, right?)

"I love your shoes!" (Thanks! Perfect for spring!)

"Those are nice, I bet you can match those with anything!" (Why yes, actually I can!)

Seriously. I've thoroughly been enjoying these! I was hesitant to start wearing them at first because of the break-in process I had with my last pair of Danskos, but YOU GUYS... I hardly had to break them in! The first time I wore them, I brought a backup pair of shoes to work and I didn't even have to change! Last time I broke in Danskos, it took weeks before I'd make it to the end of the day without numb/aching feet. This might have something to do with the fact that I 'm on a different unit in the hospital now. Or maybe Dansko did something different to their shoes? Either way, I'm excited!

Thanks Dansko for the most-complimented pair of shoes I own! 

my nursing shoe line-up: new Danskos, converse, old Danskos, tennis shoes.

And now for the GIVEAWAY part!
You can enter to win a matching pair of Danskos! Enter now through next Friday and NEXT Saturday, I'll announce a winner!
[You don't have to be a nurse to enter. Open to anyone!]
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm holding off on a post today. I have excuses and everything! :) A 12 hour shift at work, a 2 hour roller derby practice, and a shower to boot... I'm exhausted. 

In the meantime, feel free to check out this post by my sweet blog-friend, Maya! 

It's about nurses week. And it's about me. :) 

 

Nurses and Humor, day 3 of nurses week

When I was in nursing school, we had a class in the skills lab to teach the basics of placing a suppository and administering an enema.
Awesome, right?
The instructor came into the classroom wearing arm-length gloves and a grin on his face. Of course, that ensured his rank as 'favorite instructor' that year. Nothing like a little humor to break the tension of a bunch of nursing students with nerves. I think back to that experience and many others I've had over the years, and I realize how essential it is for nurses to find the humor in their job.

Here's my theory about nurses and why their warped sense of humor is necessary: 

• Hospitals are serious business. Humor balances it out. 
• It helps put the patient at ease (which is especially nice when they're stressed about anesthesia coming at any minute to put them to sleep and take them to the operating room where their chest will be cut open and their heart will be manhandled...hypothetically).
• As you can imagine, most patients in the hospital aren't feeling their best. Comic relief is usually a welcome distraction. 
• Without humor, nurses would be grumpy the whole time. No one wants to be scraping nasty poop out of a commode bucket because the toilet wand is broken... but if one can laugh about it, it makes it slightly better. 
• Humor is an excellent coping mechanism. And there are some situations where nurses need all the help coping that they can get. 
• It's good for morale. Nurses who laugh are happy. 

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

image

Side note: it's also important to know when it's not appropriate to take the humor approach. Any time there are high emotions or sensitive situations, it's best to be on the safe side and avoid any chance of misinterpretation. Family members don't want to see their loved one's nurses laughing and making jokes while facing bad news or making tough decisions.
Otherwise, laugh on. :)
What are your thoughts on this topic? 

Nurses Week 2013: ugly scrubs link up

We've all seen it.The ugly scrubs out there in the nursing world.
Maybe you even own some?
See, I'm a solid color scrub gal myself. I'm trying to stay opened minded about all these prints but, what I want to know is who is responsible for making such strange patterns on the fabric? Are they made specifically with scrubs in mind? or do people also make curtains with dancing santas on them? If someone has some insight, please share!

For your viewing pleasure, here are a few gems I found online:

1. Smiley faces- A scrub top so cheerful, you don't have to be. $6.98
2. Peace and Frogs- an unusual pairing, but bright colors make up for it! This top is described to have a "generous fit," if that's a selling point to you. $6.98
3. Eagles- for all the patriotic nurses out there. Nothing quite says 'Merica like these majestic birds all over your scrub top. Also comes in a black bear print too! $9.99
4. High-waist pants- elastic waistbands...the the better to cut off circulation with. $13.88 (with poor reviews, can you imagine??!)
5. Shamrock pants-  Pants you can sport literally once a year. Don't forget to get the matching top! $9.99
6. bubble pants- I truly believe there is no one out there who would find these flattering. $19.99
Link up below and show me what ugly scrubs you found!
**if you happen to actually own any of these, I apologize for making fun of your scrubs. I just found some that I personally would never ever ever ever own! ever.**
I would honestly love to get together with people and do an ugly scrubs party (like these people did here). Who's in?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come back tomorrow to read about nurses and humor, a symbiotic relationship. :)

Happy Nurses Week!

Pay it forward/pay it backward is a little something we're doing at my hospital for nurses week, and I'd love for you all to join me!

It's all about paying it backward- recognizing those nurses who have helped you in the past and who have helped shape you into the nurse you are today and then paying it forward- recognizing those younger or less experienced nurses who have a lot of potential and giving them encouragement.

Pick a nurse in your life who has inspired you in the past and one who you see becoming a great nurse in the future, and write them a note telling them how you feel. :) easy enough, right? Most likely, it'll make their day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I know I have a lot of nurse readers and I wanted to share this with you! 

During nurses week (May 6-12), Cinnabon is giving away free rolls if you show them your healthcare ID badge! :)
**the fine print says something about this promotion only being at participating bakeries...it's probably a good idea to call your local one first, since my local one doesn't participate. :( bummer.**

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check back tomorrow for an ugly scrub link up! (in other words, we'll be sharing links to the ugliest scrubs out there OR if you actually own some, take a picture of you wearing them! or heck, if you're super brave, wear them to work!) :)