I had the pleasure to share my experience as a bedside nurse and discuss what technology can be implemented or created to support nurses burn out overall and their satisfaction…
It made me think a lot…
How do I see nurse burnout and where technology fits in?
First I want to say that nursing is an Art… it’s the art of human connection…
It’s critical thinking… It’s compassion, patience and dedication…
It’s getting to know your patient, and notice the subtle changes in the vital signs or the mental status…
It’s asking the right questions and providing comfort when things are not always going the right way….
Nurses are amazing humans!
What I’ve experienced is that nurses tend to care so much for others and neglect themselves… (same goes to parents and teachers…)
Our society primed us to be like working machines…. In a constant ‘go, go, go’ mode… do more, be more, get more….
This ‘story’ makes us feel guilty when we finally take some time for ourselves….
When I think about the problem we face with nurses burned out… What I see is the NEED for organizations to SEE their nurses (and other health workers) as unique individuals and acknowledge their personal needs…
What that might look like is including a self care practice that is incorporated within their schedule…. Cultivate a culture of the importance of prioritizing self care… Normalizing it and making it part of the day…
Technology can be great when it comes to repeatable tasks… perhaps a machine that places IVs’ or a machine that dispenses a cup with all the medications for each patient in one spot…
But all those are related to the actual TASKS that are part of the nursing role… there is no focus on SEEING the nurses as individuals….
Yes… it might save some time but I’m sure that the management will find a way to fill out this time… so perhaps adding another patient to the patient load…
What I’m trying to say is that at the end of the day…. Each nurse is just another nurse… she is replaceable…
But what if we create an organizational culture that promotes individuality and prioritizing self care… What if the nurses would have a mandatory slot in their day to devote to their own personal self-care…? Self development?
Encouraging, supporting and promoting this idea of taking a break, slowing down, allowing them to just BE…
This organizational culture will create a sense of belongings, care and love - the nurses will feel that they are seen for more than their roles. They are unique humans...
This cultivates connections and relationships, allowing feelings of belonging and care to develop….
And those nurses would WANT to work for those organizations knowing that they are part of an organization that supports their well-being and makes it a priority…
I believe that Forest therapy can be one way to promote this concept….
During a forest therapy session we get to engage with our senses, allowing a deeper connection to nature, ourselves and others…
We get a moment to just BE, reflect on the beauty of the simple present moment…
I wish that would be something available for me before I left my role as a bedside ICU nurse after COVID…
I wish I had this support from my organization at that time…
I wish I was SEEN and HEARD…
We tend to look for gadgets and technology to solve our problems… the quick fix…
But perhaps, the solution might be simpler and closer than we even think…
I would be curious to know… what are your thoughts on that…?
And if you’re interested in experiencing Forest Therapy Session for yourself or perhaps including this into your organization…
Let’s talk! You can email me at klara@natureliwhole.com to discuss this further.
Hoping to see you out in nature soon! 🌳
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