How to Ride the Waves of CHANGE

The truth is: we don't know much about what "will be." Here are six mindfulness tips for going with the flow—rather than losing ourselves in the undertow.

Change comes whether we want it or not. If we can stay open and curious to an ever-new landscape of life’s possibilities, change can actually be the key to resilience. By learning to explore what presents itself, we ride the waves of change rather than losing ourselves in the undertow

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The role of the nurse preceptor? Responsibility, Preparation, and Personalities

Let me introduce myself. My name is Melissa, though most people at work know me as “Stafford,” a nickname that was given to me because we had 4 Melissa’s in our unit at one point.  Can you imagine that? I graduated nursing school back in 2000, though that seems like last year to me. After spending a year and a half on a surgical floor, I have spent the rest of my time in neuro critical care. I am not an expert, but I’ve functioned as a nurse preceptor over the years, from student nurses all the way up to experienced nurses.

You are probably prepared for what to expect during your orientation, whether it be from discussions during nursing school, friends, or from personal research on the web 

The role of the nurse preceptor? Responsibility, Preparation, and Personalities

I want to talk to you about orientation a little differently. I want to share with you orientation from my point-of-view, as a nurse preceptor. It is important to me that you understand…

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Nearly a decade on, the promised 'new era' has not materialised

When hospital consultants signed the dotted line in 2008 on their new contracts, which had taken years to negotiate, it was hailed as ushering in a new era for public patients.

But today 684,800 patients are on public hospital waiting lists and the promised benefits never fully materialised.

It was supposed to mean more consultants would work full-time treating public patients.But today they make up just a small minority of the publicly paid specialists.

They were supposed to work evenings, at weekends and also in teams.

There would be one outpatient waiting list for public and private patients. And one list for diagnostics.

Read more from the Irish Independent 

How to Win Even When You Fail

What do the premier designer Vera Wang, the famous 1800s scientist and author of “On the Origin of Species” Charles Darwin, and NPR radio icon Terry Gross have in common? They all failed. And it wasn’t just the trial-and-error, have-to-pay-your-dues kind of failures that most anyone has to endure in order to succeed in any given field. These talented people actually failed to reach their initial dreams, aspirations that were based on entirely different professions than what they are so famously known for!

Read More at PsychCentral

Counter Stress with Serenity

Counter Stress with Serenity! Find out how you can fit it into your busy life.

Everybody knows about stress. Too much to do, too little time, problems, issues, irritations and whatever else makes life complicated and frantic. But serenity? Isn’t that a very old-fashioned idea with no relevance in the modern world? Quite the contrary, it is essential for well-being and counteracting the damaging effects of stress on body, mind and soul. But how to practice it in a fast-paced life?

Meditation is an allocated time set aside for stopping, settling an overactive mind and establishing inner calmness. On the other hand, serenity is not something you practice for a limited time. It is a state of mind — tranquility of spirit — that carries through into a way of dealing with everyday life.

Developing or increasing serenity does not require you become a monk or nun and neither is it a luxury you cannot afford. If you choose to live life with quiet inner strength, you can start where you are right now.

Read More at PsychCentral

Having Confidence Is Not as Hard as You Think

In my women’s coaching circle, one of the women was sharing about a work situation and expressed that she “needs to work on being more confident.” She believed that she would be more respected in her company if she communicated like the other employees who she perceives as being more confident.

Can you relate? Are there situations in your life where you wish you felt more confident?

We have all had moments of mild to extreme self-consciousness where the feeling of confidence seems about as far away as Jupiter. Those awkward moments or instances where we feel judged by others often make us believe that we need to “work on” becoming more confident.

How have you “worked on” being more confident? Perhaps by taking public speaking classes? Rehearsing things you want to say in front a mirror? Getting a coach? Buying a new outfit?

While all those things are wonderful forms of self-support, feeling more confident actually takes way less effort. I explain in more detail in my blog below, but here is the bottom line: the only reason that you do not feel confident is because you are judging yourself. Period. Really.

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When Compassionate Care Takes A Turn Toward Fatigue

Fatigue, emotional distress, or apathy resulting from the constant demands of caring for others: today’s nurses are facing new levels of compassion fatigue. Empathetic, passionate, and caring nurses can fall victim to the continual stress of meeting the needs of not only their patients but their families as well. This can pose serious safety concerns on two sides of the spectrum. It can lead to errors and issues in patient care, and overall nurse burnout can drive more skilled nurses out of the profession.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 13 percent of newly licensed RNs were working in a different career within one year of their licensing, and 37 percent indicated they were ready to change jobs. Lack of staffing, trouble with management or salary issues aren’t the only things pushing nurses from the bedside. Significant, ongoing emotional stress is a key contributor that can often go ignored.

Defining the Issue

Multiple terms have been used to describe compassion fatigue, but in its simplest terms, compassion fatigue implies a state of psychic exhaustion where caregivers face severe sense of malaise that results from caring for patients who are in distress over time. Traumatology expert and senior faculty at the Figley Institute, Dr. Charles Figley calls this phenomenon the “cost of caring” for others in emotional pain.

Read More from Scrubs

Are We Helping Others While Ignoring Ourselves?

She was a registered nurse. She was the mother of four children. She was also an alcoholic and a benzo addict, with Valium being her drug of choice. That person was my mother, and her alcoholism and prescription pill addiction may have had much to do with her desire to be of service to everyone else, and in all that helping, she lost herself.

My mother was a dedicated nurse, until she wasn’t anymore. Her addiction started when a doctor prescribed Valium to calm her frazzled nerves to help her cope with four small children and a crazy Italian husband. Addictions often start this way: an innocent motive sets the ball rolling, and for my mother it was all downhill from there. Her addiction went on for more than 25 years. She saw numerous doctors and therapists, but none diagnosed her with alcoholism. The devastation heaped on our family, not to mention that the demoralization that she experienced due to her addiction, was epic. The catalyst for recovery came only when she fell down a flight of stairs while drunk and broke her neck. Rehab finally entered the picture.

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Carers under 10 and in their 80s saving the State billions

A hidden army of more than 195,000 carers, including children under 10 years of age, are saving the State billions of euro through unpaid work.

The latest Census figures show that some 3,800 of this number are children and some of the country's 195,263 carers are aged in their 80s.

The shocking figures highlight how 29,311 carers are pensioners, which is a rise of 18.5pc in just five years.

As the population ages more older people are being cast in the role.

These pensioners are providing 1.43 million hours of care per week - a rise of 12pc in just five years.

There was a 34.7pc rise in carers aged 85 or older - an increase from 1,318 to 1,776 in five years.

The Family Carers Ireland organisation say the real number is likely to be 160,000 more because many don't identify themselves as carers until in crisis.

It is estimated that one in 20 people in Ireland is a family carer, collectively providing €10bn in unpaid care each year.

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Disciplined diet reversed my diabetes, says hotelier Francis

Celebrity hotelier Francis Brennan has reversed his type 2 diabetes with a life-changing diet that has seen him shed almost two stone in weight.

The hard-working owner of the Park Hotel in Kenmare, Co Kerry, and no-nonsense rescuer of hostelries on RTÉ's 'At Your Service', was diagnosed with the condition in March last year.

"I had no symptoms," said Francis who is lucky to have a vigilant GP who was monitoring him with regular blood tests.

The 63-year-old was put on medication but he was determined to try to control his blood-sugar levels by adopting a new eating regime and cutting portions.

"I had a constant headache for the first six weeks. I would say to others who are embarking on the same road that this is the time when the battle is won or lost."

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