Nurses – do you retain a diary? Try to be!

How persistently have you ever heard – and even said – “If it isn’t documented, it hasn’t been done”? Consider this statement within the context of your personal experiences. We all know that reflection and debriefing are vital for nursing students, but what about us “more experienced” nurses? What are the advantages for our well-being and development? Could we consider writing in a journal our personal “documentation” that solidifies what happened and what we predict concerning the experience?

Why a journal?

Journaling involves recording experiences and thoughts, in addition to any related observations. It’s a personal conversation, a secure place to specific yourself without disapproval or judgment. The health advantages are quite a few and include reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, and improving immune function.

Start and follow it

As with every self-care regimen, getting began is commonly the toughest step. Listed below are some suggestions that will help:

• Add a journal to your every day to-do list.
• Just a couple of minutes is enough. The time commitment and costs are low.
• It doesn’t must be long or at the identical time on daily basis, even though it could also be easier to jot down and reflect at set times, corresponding to over your morning coffee or evening rest.
• Did something occur to you today? Or perhaps someone or something made you are feeling emotional? A letter to someone? Is there anything you’re grateful for?
• Some examples include: “I would like to be…”, “Remember when…” or “I can not imagine…”.

Gratitude journals

Gratitude is the standard of being grateful, the willingness to indicate appreciation after which return that kindness (Cumella, 2022). A grateful attitude can turn even probably the most negative situations into more positive experiences since it forces us to alter our considering and consider a distinct perspective. Writing down two or three stuff you are grateful for every week is a simple technique to start. It’s a practical intervention that is commonly therapeutic in nature and is a step in the suitable direction towards specializing in the positives, especially in difficult times.

Please consider sharing your stories

As you turn into more experienced and comfy with writing, consider sharing your nursing stories with others! In an interview with Linda Honan of the Yale University School of Nursing, she explains the expansion and importance of the creative writing division on the Yale University School of Nursing and the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, an annual Nursing history slam is an event where nurses can share their “true, personal stories that explore the breadth, depth and variety of nursing.” Writing for publications and speaking at nursing and public events are ways to share our experiences and educate those around us concerning the vital work we do as nurses.

Do you retain a diary? Share your ideas and advice!

American Nurses Association. (2021, June 22). Ways to make use of a journal to loosen up and de-stress. https://nursefocus.org/ways-to-use-journaling-to-unwind-and-de-stress/

Cumella, K. (2022). Gratitude journals can improve nurses’ mental well-being. (12), 58-61. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000884760.97338.8b

Dimitroff, L. (2018, November 30). Journals: A Beneficial Tool for Registered Nurses. American nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/journaling-valuable-registered-nurses