The ability of self-reflection on a nurse’s well-being

Staying motivated as a nurse could be difficult – who hasn’t spent several hours after a very long and tiring shift replaying the entire situation of their head? We have all been there. Unfortunately, the human tendency is to deal with the negatives and fade the positives. Not only is that this unhelpful, however it also provides no advantages to your well-being or your passion for nursing.

Need a greater approach?

At Nursegrid, we like to have a look at the entire change. Take the great with the bad and balance your observations of what went fallacious with what went right. We call this the practice of reflecting on change, objectively taking a look at every aspect of change while it continues to be fresh within the mind. We consider that is one in all the keys to constructing resilience and helping nurses thrive.

We spoke with Susan Bauer-Wu, registered nurse, president of the Mind & Life Institute and Keener App Advisor, so she could explain why this easiest of “contemplative practices” works and the way nurses can develop the habit.

She confessed that when she was a nurse, she wished she had this powerful tool in her toolbox. “I comprehend it could be helpful,” she said. “Over time, I’ve learned that reflection after a full and intense day of labor may also help me understand things, remind me of what I’ve achieved, and reassure me that I’m making a difference.”

Let’s take a better have a look at why taking time to reflect is so essential.

Shifting your reflection can enable you understand things.

Every change has its challenges; In nursing, there are a lot of variables – providers could also be understaffed, patients may die in your shift, a colleague may challenge you. And when things like this occur, it is best to deal with them sooner slightly than later.

“Reflecting on a change lets you mentally synthesize what happened during your shift at work, so you may let go and calm down more freely while you’re at home,” Bauer-Wu said. “It’s going to also enable you be more mindful and gain insight into the way you felt and reacted to what happened through the change. In this manner, you may learn to show off autopilot and as an alternative develop – and strengthen – positive, skillful habits and ways of responding to challenges at work.”

Shifting your reflection is usually a reminder of your achievements.

A nurse’s schedule could be crazy, and rather a lot can occur during a 12-hour shift. And while you add more changes to the combination, it becomes even harder to recollect anything from the primary few hours. That is why Bauer-Wu says taking time to reflect on change is amazingly essential because it might enable you remember, acknowledge and reflect on all of the stuff you’ve done or learned.

“These could be essential life-saving things or simpler ways to make a patient, member of the family or colleague smile through something you say or do,” she said.

Self-reflection can replace frustration with motivation.

A difficult transition could be enough to make you desire to hand in your badge and throw away your apron, especially when these unhelpful ruminations haunt you long after the sport is over.

Nonetheless, letting go of the sentiments of “I am unable to do that anymore” and remembering which you could make a difference could be crucial to staying motivated and passionate.

“[Taking the time to reflect helps] connects nurses to their skilled calling and may add meaning and success to their work and lives,” Bauer-Wu said. Taking time to reflect on feelings of gratitude and success may also help offset the inevitable, stressful facets of being a nurse.

Learn how to develop the habit of shifting reflection.

It can’t be denied how essential reflection is in a nurse’s work. From well-being to long-term profession motivation, taking the time to process and reflect in your working hours is crucial in nursing.

So how do you develop the habit of reflecting on change?

When you use Nursegrid to trace your schedule, you may easily use our newest feature, Shift Reflection, to reflect in your shift, relieve work-related stress, and keep a record of any emotions that arise.

Another choice is to make use of a commuting path to work, e.g. Bauer-Wu. “I discovered it helpful to reflect like this on my way home from work,” she said. “It’s a transitional buffer between work and family life, in order that once we return home we will fully deal with family and private responsibilities.”

Journaling can also be a terrific method to process and reflect on change events. “Writing may also help us gain perspective and feel more liberated than easy mental reflection,” she said. Writing things down can even enable you mentally release anger, stress and frustration.

Whichever route suits you, make sure you take time to reflect on what went well during this transition or what gave you particular satisfaction. Bauer-Wu recommends attempting to discover three specific experiences during your transition that brought you a way of accomplishment, joy, or satisfaction.