The longer you’re a nurse, the more bad habits you’ll pick up during your shift. When I sat down to brainstorm bad habits, I realized they fall under self-care. Many of them are fundamental functions of the body, but anyone out will tell you it happens.
#1 Not taking lunch
For a group of people who complain of too much junk food in the break room, someone will consume the pizza and donuts within 12-hours. Nurses tend not to take lunch. On even the slowest night, I still walk 9,000 steps, which does not include the lifting, linen changes, and other physical necessities to care for patients. Over 12-hours, the need to replenish calories, preferably healthy foods, should be a priority. The busier the patient load and the flow of the night, the higher probability you find yourself at 03:30 having not taken a break, and you figure you’re about to start morning medication pass it can wait.
#2 Not drinking water
Most nurses and patient techs are constantly moving around. Similar to not eating lunch, we tend to skip the water. There have been so many shifts where I never drank any water during the 12-hour shift, and I had even completely forgotten that I had a water bottle and left it there until the following week. Many nurses are self-aware and bring water bottles with self goals, and others drink only soda and coffee. Either way, not drinking any fluid could lead to kidney issues, dehydration, and headaches.
#3 Not going to the bathroom
When you’re passing medication, changing wound dressing, a confused patient jumping out of bed, or running around. At some point during your shift, you stop and realize that you’ve hadn’t gone to the bathroom in eight hours, but you’ll go after you see what Mr. Smioth needs. Go to the bathroom. The acute issues of being uncomfortable could lead to bladder infections and other bladder issues.
#4 Not taking time to decompress
The constant go, go, go of some shifts are stressful. Anxious, upset, disgruntle, confused patients, you don’t blame them. They are sick or want to be home and are not in control of their diagnosis or situation. But the consistent interaction with an individual who isn’t upset with your personal but directs their anger and anxiety towards you. With the endorphin rush of emergencies and constant stress, you need to sit and give yourself time to relax.
#5 Not reaching out or seeking help
Burnout, depression, PTSD, and suicide is a reality. Nurses see the good, the bad, and the ugly of humanity, and we see birth and death and every injury and illness in between. It’s a lot to take in. We see the face of health statistics, suicide ideation, alcoholism, domestic abuse, dementia, cancer, and pandemics. We care and internalize so much of what we see, reach out and seek help, journal, start a blog, talk to a co-worker, or see a therapist.
Nursing is rewarding. But I am a massive advocate of self-care. Be self-aware of these bad habits. It will happen but take care of yourself. Have you picked up any bad habits?