Ways Nurse Leaders Can Promote Health And Wellness Among Nurses
Nursing is one of the most challenging professions that requires dedication and focus. They always have to remain on edge to keep proper check and balance on patients and to keep track of their condition. While fulfilling duties, nurses often find it difficult to pay attention to their physical and mental health.
Since nursing is one of the most demanding fields, nurses have to work exhausting shifts to perform their duties. The recent pandemic of COVID-19 is the perfect example where nurses worked tirelessly as the frontline workforce. But to fulfill duties in any field, professionals need to be in the perfect physical and mental shape. This is where the role of nurse leaders becomes important to create health awareness among nurses.
Nurse managers are responsible for taking care of the health of nurses working under their command. They have to keep an eye on the performance of nurses to ensure they are in the best mental and physical state. The health of nurses can also impact patient’s conditions.
So, nurse leaders should take the right measures to ensure healthy habits among other nurses. They should lead from the front and set good examples that will encourage other nurses to take care of their health. Here are some ways that nurse leaders can promote health and wellness among other nurses.
Have Good Educational Background
Nurse leaders have to create awareness among nurses that getting a high-level and relevant degree will help them take care of their health more efficiently. They can guide fellow nurses to pursue a degree with a full-time job by considering virtual education platforms. In that case, online DNP programs will be the right fit for nurses,which will empower them to maintain a balance between profession and persona health.
By emphasizing high-level education, nurse leaders can motivate other nurses that how it can enlighten them on different health aspects. It will make them realize the true significance of health in their professional life and how good well-being can boost their productivity and performance.
- Eat Before Start of Shift
Another way that nurse leaders can promote wellness among other nurses is by suggesting that they should eat before the start of the shift. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make them realize that they should eat something before their shift starts. According to experts, adults who consume breakfast are known to have more energy as their brain functions efficiently. They can control their weight by consuming more essential minerals and vitamins. Additionally, eating before going to work will encourage nurses to eat fresh food and to prevent unhealthy choices.
Get a Sufficient Sleep
There are very few nurses who can claim to sleep seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Nurse leaders should recommend that fellow nurses get sufficient sleep by making them realize that getting enough sleep will positively maintain their good health. As a nurse leader, you should make other nurses realize that how good sleep patterns can minimize the risk of chronic health conditions. According to health experts, sometimes preferring sleep over other activities is a must.
Maintaining Balance Between Life and Work
It is tough for nurses to maintain a balance between personal and professional life. As a nurse leader, you have to motivate nurses to adopt a healthy lifestyle by making time for family, friends, and themselves. You can train nurses on how they should leave the stress of work at workplaces and not take it back to their homes.
- Bring Own Meals to Work
It is important to make nurses realize the importance of a healthy diet. As a nurse leader, you should put restrictions on nurses to bring homemade food with them. It will help them to eat healthy by bringing home-cooked meals and snacks to work.
You have to make other nurses understand that poor diet choices will add zero value to their health. So, nurses need to realize the importance of preparing meals for work. It will help them to control their sugar and carb consumption. It is all about making healthier food choices to add the right nutrients and minerals to your body.
- Get Rid of Caffeine
Caffeine is one of the biggest weaknesses for the people working night shifts. As a nurse leader, you should be aware of the harmful effects of excessive consumption of caffeine. It can affect your brain functioning and cause sleep deprivation that can have long-term negative effects on your health. Rather than relying on caffeine, nurse leaders can encourage nurses to take sufficient sleep before the shift. It will help them get rid of caffeine.
Increase Water Consumption
Water is one of the integral parts of our body, and medical experts recommend having at least 8 glasses of water daily. Nurse leaders should take measures to install sufficient water dispensers in the healthcare facility. It will help nurses to stay hydrated and to fulfill duties efficiently. You can also instruct nurses to bring refillable water bottles and keep them with them in workstations.
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The role of nurse leaders is important in the current healthcare landscape. They are responsible for implementing healthy practices among other nurses to improve their lifestyle and encourage them to get rid of unhealthy habits. Nurse managers can add real value to the lives of other nurses by creating awareness among them about healthy practices. It will make a positive impact on their personal and professional life and help them to deliver their 100% at work.
Ways Nurse Leaders Can Promote Health And Wellness Among Nurses
