It’s International Nurses Day! To mark the occasion, we wanted to share our top tips for staying motivated and engaged in your nursing career. It can be a tough gig sometimes, but with the right mindset and tools we promise you can get back to feeling inspired again.
Try journaling to start your day
We know it sounds a bit airy-fairy, but starting your day with some positive journaling can really set you up for a good day.
Here are some things you can write down to get started:
Three things you are grateful for, whether that’s your cat, your packed lunch or the weather forecast - it doesn't matter, as long as its presence makes you happy!
Something you are looking forward to.
Three issues on your mind and how you might resolve them.
A good deed someone has done for you that week/month.
How you might brighten someone’s day today (e.g. surprising your colleague with coffee).
To-do list for the day (get it out of your head and onto paper!).
Three compliments to yourself.
Goals/dreams you hope to achieve.
Organisation is key
Back to practicalities. Organisation is your best friend when it comes to nursing. Some of you might not want to hear this, but putting in the extra time - even if it’s just to make sure your bag is packed for the next morning - makes a world of difference. By staying organised we promise you will feel a lot less stressed and a lot more motivated.
Remind yourself why you went into nursing in the first place
It can be easy to lose sight of your career goals when you’re stressed and overwhelmed with work. We’ve all been there. Next time you start to feel burned out, take a step back and remind yourself why you went into nursing. How you approach this is completely personal; it could be something as simple as looking back at your graduation photos or writing down a time when you felt like you really made a difference to a patient’s life.
Looking towards the next ‘achievement’ e.g. your next promotion can also help keep you on track and driven in the workplace. Visualise where you want to be in five years - are you on the right track, or could you be doing more? Pushing yourself to move forward, while taking time to acknowledge all your wonderful achievements thus far is a great way to stay motivated and engaged in your nursing career.
Speak to someone
If you’re still struggling and can’t seem to find motivation, it is vital that you talk to someone. Reach out to a trusted friend, colleague or family member and get your concerns off your chest. Even just saying whatever it is that is bothering you out loud will make you feel 100x lighter, we promise.
Remember, you are never alone and help is always available. For confidential advice and support, find your local NHS helpline here or call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 if you need a listening ear.
Here at MCM Medical, we strive to support all our candidates through the recruitment process and beyond. Give us a call on 0203 929 4010 today to find out more about our current nursing opportunities, you never know where your next role could take you!
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