The nursing world is exhausting, stressful, and emotional. Whether you’re a student or veteran nurse, here are the three bulletproof habits you need to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally present for your patients.
1. Refuse to Rush
This is a hard one because nurses are known for their hustle. But adopting a “no rush” habit throughout your shift has several benefits.
Reduces the stress-released adrenal ride which causes sweaty palms, elevated heart rate, and anxiety. This stress response interferes with focus and concentration and that is not what you want when caring for patients. In order to make the patient your focal point, slow down, see them, hear them.
See that patient in front of you right now? She’s the only patient in the world for you at that moment and she deserves the best you have to give.
Reduces the temptation to multitask. Once you prioritize your to-do list at the beginning of the day (because you’re a pro at time management already), you don’t need to multitask. Believing you can do two (or more) things at once is trick our brain tells us. Sure you can walk and chew gum or drive and listen to a podcast, but when it comes to patient care there is no room for juggling skills.
Reduces the amount of stress you pass on to others. Stress can be contagious and rushing produces stress. So if you don’t rush you have no stress to share with colleagues or patients. They will thank you with every smile they share because you’re passing through their day with a “no rush” habit that makes them feel relaxed instead of pressured.
Ignore the inner voice that is pushing you to quicken your pace or hasten your momentum.
2. Avoid Shortcuts
Shortcuts have become a societal norm. We fast track through lines at Disney World and program our GPS to avoid long routes. Perhaps there’s a place for shortcuts, but not in nursing.
Standards of care are standards for a reason. They are based on best practice and evidence from all those who’ve been nursing long before you or I were born. Taking liberties with best practices and policies is asking for trouble. I’m not suggesting that nurses forego innovation or stop looking for cutting edge ways to help our patients, but short-cutting your way through the day for the sake of boredom or saving time means you could be asking the patient to pay the difference when you come up short. Standards, policies, and protocols are your safety nets and one of the best habits you can have as a nurse.
3. Express Gratitude
This is a habit that will spill over into all areas of your life. It is nearly impossible to be fearful or stressed when you’re practicing gratitude. And there is no stopping the gratitude fountain once it begins spouting.
Be grateful to yourself for your integrity, for the exceptional job of caring for your patients, for your sense of humor and healthy body. It’s a powerful habit to be able to list the things you’re grateful for that can only be found inside yourself.
Be grateful to your patients for their trust in you to care for them, for their patience as you care for others, for their expressions of gratitude toward you for the care you give. Gratitude creates a powerful connection between people. Saying, “It has been an honor caring for you today. Thank you.” is all that’s needed.
Be grateful to others. The housekeeper collecting the garbage and the x-ray tech strolling the portable machine down the hallway toward your patient are both making your job caring for the patient possible. Thank them. The colleague who asked you for help turning their patient is the perfect opportunity to be thankful. A simple, “Thank you for letting me help. Glad to do it.” is the perfect response.
If you have some bulletproof habits of your own, please share them in the comments. I’d love to hear.
Cheers!
