Prioritise time for yourself

… Our identity as a nurse or midwife is a big part of our value system – it’s who we are – but it cannot be everything. We have to exist outside of work,” says Nel, a former Victorian critical care nurse unit manager. 

Nel was in management and worked a gruelling full-time schedule before she took time out to focus on her health. 

“I was no good at my own self-care for a while. I liked to read but I never had the time. As a manager, I had a punishing schedule. I’d start at 7am and work until 5.30pm every day.  

“It was difficult to do anything outside of work. By the time I got home I was comatose. I’d be in bed by 9pm.” 

Self-care to offset work stress

Nurse and midwife managers need to offset the workload and job stresses inherent in the role with a healthy self-care plan, says Nel. 

“As a manager it can be lonely – you don’t want to burden other people with your work stress. 

“Sometimes it’s really difficult; when you’re struggling with something management wants you to implement. I’m not a ‘yes person’ so I don’t ‘nilly willy’ toe the line.” 

Leave work at work

People can only work well if they’re being cared for themselves, says Nel. And while it’s really important to take the time to encourage the people you work with, it’s equally vital that you look after yourself. 

“Towards the end I did a book club and I made a significant investment and did high-intensity fitness training once a week. It gave me a reason to leave work - to go and do something for myself.  

Invest in regular ‘me time’

“So plan for investing dollars as well as time. Make the investment in yourself - you’re worth it. Even better, do it with friends. Make it regular.” 

Nel has found meditation valuable for her own physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing.  

“It’s the regularity of doing it that’s beneficial, even if only for five minutes every day. It helps me to be less reactive in all aspects of my life. I’m better with people.  

“It’s like with breathing, it’s a stress buster. People say they haven’t got the time but if you meditate it increases time.  

“I also take the time to walk every day. I get into my walking gear and put my shoes on and off I go. I listen to music. I get a sense of awe – to see a beautiful tree, a bird’s nest, or just to notice how green the grass is, or the colour of the dawn light. It puts things in my life in perspective.”