It is not easy to be a nurse nowadays, not even for a staff nurse or a nurse leader. Amidst all these uncertainties, nurses struggle with the stressors of an increasingly demanding profession. Nurses hold the fabric of patient care in a stressful environment. What if the fabric is frayed at the edges? How can nurses take care of their patients when they need help themselves?
The job is emotionally exhausting, and we often try to continue caring for our patients to the point of burnout and, in some cases, clinical depression. We survived the Covid-19 pandemic four years ago, but it had an immense impact on our mental well-being. The statistics show a dire picture of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicides in the healthcare profession.
Mental Health and self-care
The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) Expert Panel issued their Consensus Statement in the spring of 2023 about the drivers of Nurse Suicide: the stigma associated with asking for and receiving treatment to support mental health, job-related stressors, and lack of access to mental health treatment.
The National Academy of Medicine suggested a bundled approach to sustaining a positive work environment, reducing the stigma for those seeking mental health care, and focusing on the mental well-being of healthcare workers.
On November 20-22, 2024, the 1199SEIU League of Registered Nurses held a nursing conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, titled "Empathy in Action: Caring Beyond Ourselves and Honoring Self-care." I was honored to be one of the instructors. My topic was "Finding Your Joy by Finding Your Lollipop Moment." It was a truly enriching experience to promote self-care and mental health to about 148 nurses who traveled to Jamaica. I dedicated my presentation to two of my former staff nurses who we lost to suicide.
Lollipop Moment
Although the topic was somber, it was uplifting as we discussed ways to find joy in our personal and professional lives. I encouraged the audience to share their "lollipop moment," which was originated by Drew Dudley, a dynamic leader, author, and inspirational TED Talk speaker. A “lollipop moment” is when someone said something or did something that fundamentally made your life better.
Nurses make a difference every day, but sometimes, they must be reminded about their lollipop moments. The nurses did not take long to share their proud moments of touching someone’s life, whether a patient or a fellow nurse. It was heartwarming when one participant thanked her mentor (who was also present) for her guidance and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One nurse approached me after the session to express how empowered and inspired she was. She acknowledged that she needed to hear all the instructors drive home the truth that nurses must place themselves at the forefront of mental health care.
Halo-halo moment
Then, I introduced my Halo-halo moment, when I pause and enjoy my comfort food, forget my a1c, and savor the incredible moment of finding joy in the simplest things. Halo-halo (“mix-mix”) is a popular cold dessert in the Philippines made up of crushed ice, evaporated milk, sweetened kidney beans, coconut strips, toasted rice, sago, leche flan, and ube ice cream. My son Jordan described it the best.
Caring beyond ourselves
We also went to a local school to distribute book bags to grade-school children, who welcomed our group with shy smiles but were eager to hug anyone who opened their arms to them. The group of nurses also visited churches and a local hospital to conduct community teaching on kidney health, managing severe bleeding, and maternity child health.
Mindful and Intentional
We must be mindful and intentional as we seek our moments of joy to keep our mental well-being. We must maintain our focus on strengthening the morale of our nurses. We need to help and support each other.
The Jamaica trip was restorative and invigorating. There were singing, dancing, and laughter. There was healing.
The nurses enjoyed the amenities of the inclusive resort but also ventured out of the hotel to experience other attractions. As Bob Marley sang, "One Love, one heart. Let's get together and feel all right".
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