And just like that, it’s 2016! Oh, how time flies. It feels just like yesterday when you welcomed 2015 and now it’s another new year. So, what else should one expect during the first days of the year aside from eating leftover foods from several occasions? Oh, right! New year’s resolutions. What should you promise to do given that it’s a whole new year?
Exercise
Yeah, yeah. We know you’re tired and you’re always so busy, but in a profession which requires a lot of physical activities, you must be fit. Make time to exercise. If you can’t exercise every day, then at least make it a point to workout at least once or twice a week.
If going to the gym and doing intense exercise aren’t what you like, you can try yoga, or you can jog around your neighborhood or participate in an aerobics class. There are plenty of exercises to choose from, what’s important is that you make time.
Eat healthy.
We always say this to our patients: Eat healthy, eats lots of greens, blah blah and blah, but do we really practice it in our own lives? Stop relying on fast food and instant meals. Stay away from junk foods. Make healthy choices. Try to choose healthy meals as much as possible, you can even cook if you know how to. You may not see the benefits of eating healthy, but once you grow older, you’ll begin to thank your younger self for doing this.
Work smarter
Learn to prioritize things. Work smart. At the beginning of the shift, list all the things and tasks that you need to get done and plan on how you’re going to accomplish them. Divide your time well.
Don’t be afraid to learn
Be a continuous learner. Learning does not just stop the moment you receive your nursing school diploma. In the healthcare profession, you need to learn every day. Grab opportunities that will help you grow and encourage you to be better. Attend seminars, read lots of books and journals, learn about healthcare related updates. Don’t be ignorant and let your knowledge become stagnant.
Expand your professional network
Some might find this a hassle, but joining nursing and nursing-related organizations do have their benefits. Not only will you meet people who are relevant in your profession, but expanding your professional network would also mean opening opportunities to learn and improve.
Be the kind of nurse you would want to take care of you
Ask yourself this question, if the roles were reversed and you were the patient, would you want yourself as your nurse? Are you satisfied with the care that you provide? If no, then you, buddy, have a lot of things to do. Make a list of things you would want your nurse to be and be that nurse. Don’t lose your sense of ethics just because you have a lot of things to do. As the cliché goes, “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.”
