Robin Carmichael
This week, we are pleased to shine the spotlight on Robin Carmichael, RN, BSN.
About a year ago, this was my life. At 5’6 and over 212 pounds, I had a high-stress, full-time teaching job with a 2.5 hour commute. On clinical days, I would get up at 4 a.m. I was also my husband’s care giver; he had liver cancer that progressed to the bone rapidly.
When I lost Rich on November 25, 2016, I had just received the first National Apprenticeship program for CNAs with Job Corps and had three different programs running. I wasn’t sleeping and generally felt sick to the soul, in which meditation and mantras were not helping. I took the survey by the American Nurses Association-my results were in the RED (high risk) in all categories - Safety, Nutrition, Sleep, Physical Activity and Quality of Life. I don’t think I would have taken my health as seriously without that survey. I set out to improve each area.
I bought a treadmill and started walking, even at lunch time during work. I paid attention to what I put in my mouth, packed healthier lunches, and cut my carbs in half. I relaxed to meditation music, listened to sea breeze sounds to go to sleep and set upon a personal growth series. I started to feel healthier and lost 25 pounds by July. I decreased my stress by more than half and lost another 7 pounds, even after receiving a promotion. I’ve participated in the 5 K challenge with HNHN and just put on a “1st Annual Fox Forrest Turkey Trot.” I’ve signed my employer, CSD, for partnership with HNHN and am promoting HNHN to gather data on nurse health at our workplace. The original survey assisted me to set my goals and the new Healthy Nurse survey showed me results - I have improved in all categories and I’m out of the RED on 3! Best of all, I no longer require blood pressure medication.”
Robin Carmichael, RN, BSN
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 the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) Grand Challenge yet? Join us today!
About a year ago, this was my life. At 5’6 and over 212 pounds, I had a high-stress, full-time teaching job with a 2.5 hour commute. On clinical days, I would get up at 4 a.m. I was also my husband’s care giver; he had liver cancer that progressed to the bone rapidly.When I lost Rich on November 25, 2016, I had just received the first National Apprenticeship program for CNAs with Job Corps and had three different programs running. I wasn’t sleeping and generally felt sick to the soul, in which meditation and mantras were not helping. I took the survey by the American Nurses Association-my results were in the RED (high risk) in all categories - Safety, Nutrition, Sleep, Physical Activity and Quality of Life. I don’t think I would have taken my health as seriously without that survey. I set out to improve each area.
I bought a treadmill and started walking, even at lunch time during work. I paid attention to what I put in my mouth, packed healthier lunches, and cut my carbs in half. I relaxed to meditation music, listened to sea breeze sounds to go to sleep and set upon a personal growth series. I started to feel healthier and lost 25 pounds by July. I decreased my stress by more than half and lost another 7 pounds, even after receiving a promotion. I’ve participated in the 5 K challenge with HNHN and just put on a “1st Annual Fox Forrest Turkey Trot.” I’ve signed my employer, CSD, for partnership with HNHN and am promoting HNHN to gather data on nurse health at our workplace. The original survey assisted me to set my goals and the new Healthy Nurse survey showed me results - I have improved in all categories and I’m out of the RED on 3! Best of all, I no longer require blood pressure medication.”
Robin Carmichael, RN, BSN
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 the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) Grand Challenge yet? Join us today!
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Virginia Ruth Davis
What an inspirational story! Keep going, I want to hear next year that you have put on a second annual Forrest Fox Turkey Trot :)
- Posted Fri 22 Dec 2017 08:24 AM CST
Amy B. Eilertsen, RN
This is fantastic, Robin! It's amazing that you tackled health on so many fronts, from sleeping and eating to exercise. You are an inspiration!
- Posted Wed 20 Dec 2017 02:56 PM CST
Heidi Marie Rye
Thank you for sharing your story Robin! You are an inspiration and proof that busy nurses CAN make healthy changes!
- Posted Sun 17 Dec 2017 08:18 PM CST
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