By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
2021 has been a tough year for nurse leaders on so many levels. Most leaders held their teams together in 2020 during the first surges of the pandemic. Once nurses realized in early 2021 that many would not take the vaccine, things changed. Nurse turnover surged, use of travel nurses escalated, and nurse moral distress grew. Nurse leaders, especially those on the frontlines, have been the shock absorbers for all that happened in 2021. Many leaders tell me that they are burned out and exhausted. Some are considering leaving their roles.
As we move into 2022, an important goal for every nurse leader today (and leadership teams) is to improve their self-care. Leader self-care took a backseat in 2020 and 2021. Few nurse leaders can sustain the work pace they have set for themselves into 2022. As authors Pratt, Bessell, and van der Kolk remind us – The Body Keeps the Score. Without some changes, many nurse leaders jeopardize their health after two years of turbulence. It will be impossible to promote staff wellbeing if your wellbeing is in jeopardy. Putting your oxygen mask on first is critical to helping others.
As you develop your self-care goals and a plan for achieving them for 2022, the following are some key behaviors/areas to evaluate and perhaps change:
Maintaining Work-Life Boundaries
In my discussions with leaders, sixty-hour workweeks today are pretty standard. Unlike clinical positions, nurse leaders need to establish their boundaries around their work. No one will tell you to go home at 5:30 PM or limit the number of calls/texts you take while not at work. Many nurse leaders have not had a restful vacation in more than two years. Make this the year that you change your behavior and reframe how you think about your work. It will be there when you get back, and there will never be enough hours in the day. Be sure that you are not working these hours to numb your emotions about other parts of your life that may not be in balance. Look for new hobbies or activities that will rejuvenate and re-energize you. Exercise more, sleep, and eat healthier.
Avoiding Rumination
Many nurse leaders tell me that they are kings and queens of rumination. Dr. Martin Seligman, the Father of Positive Psychology, has written a great deal about stress and resilience. He reminds us that it is often not the stress itself but our rumination that is a core problem in staying resilient. The best way to stop ruminating about issues at work (or home) is to learn how to stop the tape in our brains. Use tips and tricks like distraction or reversion to other activities.
Staying in Your Circle of Influence
The past two years have taught us that there are so many things outside of our control. This may upset and even anger us, but it is true. Understanding what is and is not in your circle of influence is something the Stoics have preached for thousands of years. As you look at 2022, ask yourself how you manage the control issue. Are you maximizing what you do have control over, such as your words, thoughts, actions, and beliefs?
Having Unrealistic Expectations of Others
In a recent blog, I discussed how managing (sometimes lowering) your expectations would help you stay grounded and less disappointed in this turbulent time. If you are a perfectionist or a leader who has unrealistically high expectations, look at 2022 as a time to do a reset. Stop and reflect on your expectations and ask whether they are genuinely reasonable in the current environment. Remain optimistic but also be pragmatic.
Viewing Life through a Lens of Spirituality
We experience two connected yet different realities: the physical and the spiritual, and by understanding their connection, you may learn how to become more spiritual. Psychologists such as Dr. Lisa Miller have found strong links between the ability to become more spiritual and reduce depression and anxiety. Some achieve spirituality through religion, but this is not the only way to become more spiritual. Miller explains that spirituality can be achieved by quieting your mind enough to tune into your soul and the universe. Spiritual connections can also come from meditation, gardening, dancing, traveling, or exercising. It can also come by being in nature, trusting your intuition, asking better questions, and having deeper conversations. When we are open to them, the universe sends us signs – sometimes called synchronicity. Spirituality can be an important reminder that these turbulent times today will pass – they always have in human history.
You can choose to make 2022 the best year of your life. But that won’t just happen. Think about what you may need to do to get yourself back on track, and then plan to do it. Find another nurse leader who can be your accountability partner. Above all – do something to care for yourself.
© emergingrnleader.com 2021
Our Most Popular Right Now – Become the Boss No One Wants to Leave Nurse Retention in Turbulent Times
Give your leadership team the gift of a highly rated webinar – Nursing Leadership in 2022: Rebooting after a Life-Quake A Nursing Leadership Reboot Workshop
Read the Nurse Leader Coach – Available at Amazon and Other Book Sellers.
Recommended Book by the Association of Critical Care Nurses – The Nuts and Bolts of Nursing Leadership: Your Toolkit for Success
LinkedIn
Instagram