Tracey Jaworski-Lucas
We are pleased to shine the #healthynurse Spotlight on Tracey Jaworski-Lucas, BSN, RN. The emotional and spiritual demands of nursing caught Tracy by surprise. Read on to discover how she nurtures that part of herself to combat burnout.
I have known that I wanted to be a nurse since the first grade. When I began my RN career at forty-three, I couldn’t have been any prouder. Prior to that time, I lived a healthy lifestyle; I had a regular exercise routine, ate a nutritious diet, got adequate rest and went for wellness checks. I truly believed that this lifestyle would be enough to prepare me for the demands of nursing. I was only partially correct: I was not prepared for the emotional and spiritual challenges of nursing. When I realized I was experiencing burnout as a new nurse, I began my Healthy Nurse journey.
While doing my research on nurse burnout, I came across the work of Elizabeth Scala, a nurse whose mission it is to save the profession from burnout by teaching nurses self-care. She inspired me to start nursing myself and make it a point to engage in holistic practices that focus on mind, body and spirit. As I realized I was healing and becoming a healthier nurse, I joined the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) initiative and became a member of the NJSNA HNHN team. I am currently co-team lead for the Healthy Nurse, Healthy New Jersey initiative.
Participating in the HNHN keeps me on my Healthy Nurse journey. I find that if I speak about my journey to other nurses and encourage them, it helps me to continue to hold myself accountable to my own health goals. Self-care is the first part of my daily regimen. I journal and read from my daily meditation book, eat a hearty but healthy breakfast and diffuse uplifting essential oils. This helps me to prepare for the challenges ahead. I believe as Healthy Nurses we must first nurse ourselves but also extend this nursing and encouragement to our colleagues. Being a Healthy Nurse is easier as a team. Now I can say that I couldn’t be any prouder to be a Healthy Nurse.
Notice my HNHN lapel pin!
Tracey Jaworski-Lucas, BSN, RN
Are you a #HealthyNurse? Would you like to be highlighted in our next #HealthyNurse Spotlight? Share your stories with us in our discussion.
Have you joined Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation yet? Join us today!
I have known that I wanted to be a nurse since the first grade. When I began my RN career at forty-three, I couldn’t have been any prouder. Prior to that time, I lived a healthy lifestyle; I had a regular exercise routine, ate a nutritious diet, got adequate rest and went for wellness checks. I truly believed that this lifestyle would be enough to prepare me for the demands of nursing. I was only partially correct: I was not prepared for the emotional and spiritual challenges of nursing. When I realized I was experiencing burnout as a new nurse, I began my Healthy Nurse journey. While doing my research on nurse burnout, I came across the work of Elizabeth Scala, a nurse whose mission it is to save the profession from burnout by teaching nurses self-care. She inspired me to start nursing myself and make it a point to engage in holistic practices that focus on mind, body and spirit. As I realized I was healing and becoming a healthier nurse, I joined the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) initiative and became a member of the NJSNA HNHN team. I am currently co-team lead for the Healthy Nurse, Healthy New Jersey initiative.
Participating in the HNHN keeps me on my Healthy Nurse journey. I find that if I speak about my journey to other nurses and encourage them, it helps me to continue to hold myself accountable to my own health goals. Self-care is the first part of my daily regimen. I journal and read from my daily meditation book, eat a hearty but healthy breakfast and diffuse uplifting essential oils. This helps me to prepare for the challenges ahead. I believe as Healthy Nurses we must first nurse ourselves but also extend this nursing and encouragement to our colleagues. Being a Healthy Nurse is easier as a team. Now I can say that I couldn’t be any prouder to be a Healthy Nurse.
Notice my HNHN lapel pin!
Tracey Jaworski-Lucas, BSN, RN
Are you a #HealthyNurse? Would you like to be highlighted in our next #HealthyNurse Spotlight? Share your stories with us in our discussion.
Have you joined Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation yet? Join us today!Tag your Friends & Comment!
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Aieda Solomon
Tracey Jaworski-Lucas, BSN Encouragement, and accountability are so important for individual success and for the success of your colleagues. Kudos to you for extending nursing to yourself and other members of your team! Keep up the great work!
- Posted Thu 30 Aug 2018 02:00 PM CDT
Heidi Marie Rye
Thanks for a great spotlight! Too often we only focus on exercise and nutrition but forget to focus also on our mental wellbeing! I too love using oils at work and at home!
- Posted Mon 20 Aug 2018 08:37 PM CDT
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