Remembering Self-Compassion: A Nurse's Guide to Nurturing Well-being

As healthcare workers, we’re trained to care for others with compassion, empathy, and unwavering dedication. Day in and day out, we place the needs of our patients above our own. Patient-centered care has taken on a new meaning, one that was never supposed to suggest nurses should ignore their own needs. 

It's all too easy to neglect an essential aspect of caregiving – self-compassion.

Nurses are burned out. And who can blame us? We’ve been at this for years and most of us have a low pay or work extra, inconvenient hours to keep up with the Jones’. It’s no wonder more and more nurses are leaving to become medical writers. 

In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of self-compassion for nurses and reflect on the profound impact it can have on our well-being.

The Importance of Self-Compassion

In the hustle and bustle of the healthcare setting, nurses forget to prioritize the needs of themselves. You can’t  provide optimal care if you’re about to pass out from hunger. But self-compassion is more than just taking care of your physiological needs. 

Self-compassion isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity for sustaining our mental, emotional, and physical health. Research has shown that self-compassionate individuals are better equipped to cope with stress, experience greater psychological well-being, and exhibit higher levels of resilience in the face of adversity. This is particularly important for nurses. 

Even writers need to be aware of self-compassion. We have tight deadlines to meet, just like healthcare workers. And it’s easy to get lost in the mound of tasks we have to do. But taking the time for ourselves will set us up for success in the long run. And help reduce our chances of burning out as writers.

Cultivating Self-Compassion

So, how can we cultivate self-compassion in our lives as nurses? It begins recognizing that we are imperfect beings deserving of love and acceptance, just like the patients we care for. So much of nursing is focused on toxic perfectionism. We need to  be perfect or our patient is harmed. It puts too much pressure on us. 

Practice self-awareness by tuning into your thoughts and feelings without judgment. If you make a mistake, don’t be hard on yourself. Know that it happens and you’re no less of a nurse. We’re people, not robots.  

Imagine you made a mistake during a shift that affected patient care. Instead of berating yourself, offer yourself words of comfort and understanding. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes. You are doing your best in a challenging environment and most people don’t even bother to become a healthcare worker. 

Be mindful of your self-talk. Challenge negative beliefs with words of

encouragement and affirmation. Nurture your well-being through self-care practices that replenish your mind, body, and spirit. Try meditation, exercise, crafting or simply spending time in nature. Remember, self-compassion is not a destination but a journey. It’s a daily practice of self-care and self-love that evolves over time.

Don’t forget to say no to things you’re not comfortable doing. Don’t work outside your scope, and don’t take patients you can’t handle. Say no to coming in on your days off and staying late. Facilities will just abuse your kindness until nothing is left of you. Protect your flame at all costs. 

And if all that doesn’t work, you’re not a failure if you leave your bedside role. You can still use your nursing license without ever touching a patient. You deserve to be happy, calm, and well-paid. If you’re struggling with self-compassion, you may need to try a change in roles. 

The Impact of Self-Compassion

When we make self-compassion a priority, we’re helping out patients, too. Nurses who are self-compassionate are more confident in their decisions, and happier in their roles. They’re less resentful, and more likely to have a positive bedside manner. They're more present and intune to the needs of their patients, too. They become  more present and attuned to the needs of their patients, offering them the highest quality of care rooted in genuine empathy and understanding.

When caring for a terminally ill patient, instead of becoming overwhelmed with sorrow, practice self-compassion.  Acknowledge your emotions and seek support from colleagues or counselors. You shouldn’t have to deal with everything on your own. Recognize that it's okay to feel sad or overwhelmed and take steps to care for yourself emotionally during challenging times.

Our relationships with colleagues and peers flourish as we model self-compassion in our interactions. We can help create a culture of kindness and support within our healthcare communities. Ultimately, by nurturing our own well-being, we can help our coworkers become self-compassionate, too. 

Summary

As nurses, it’s easy to lose ourselves in our desire to help others. Our facilities are chronically short staffed and always pitching “patient-centered care”. But patient-centered care doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice yourself to help others. You can use self-compassion to help cultivate a reservoir of resilience and well-being that nourishes you from within, enabling you to continue working with compassion and joy. So, as you embark on your journey as a nurse, remember to be gentle with yourself, to treat yourself with the same love and kindness that you offer to others, and to always prioritize your own well-being.