Quality of Life

It’s not unusual for any new employee to feel anxious in their first few months of work, and nurses are no exception. Becoming a nurse and starting your first official nursing job is thrilling, but also overwhelming. Starting your nursing career in the middle of a pandemic has made the experience even more complex. Fortunately, there are things all ... more

Nursing:  Is it your Calling or your Kryptonite?   R eprinted with permission from ANA\California By Teresa Martin RN, AMFT Taken from "Fly with Me: One Woman's Leap into a Life of Love and Joy" (Braughler Books 2021). Why are we Caregiving Machines?  I’m a nurse.  And nurses don’t lie, cheat, or steal.  They breed that out of you in nursing school.  They ... more

All of our relationships go through ups and downs — even workplace ones. Most of the time you can’t control with whom you work. So, what can you do to ensure the interactions you have with coworkers are healthy and positive? And how do you know if a particular relationship is toxic — and if it is, what should you do? We spoke with Eileen T. O’Grady RN, NP, PhD, ... more

As a nurse, your job includes showing compassion to patients. So why is it often overlooked or deprioritized when it comes to yourself? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes compassion as the "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." Self-compassion, then, is the ability to become mindful of your ... more

This blog is made possible by Morrison Healthcare, an operating division of Compass One Healthcare. As some of you may or may not know, last year Compass One Healthcare formed a new partnership with the American Nurses Association (ANA), which is the nation’s premier nursing organization representing the country’s four million registered nurses. ... more

Please see below for information on a research study that was received by HNHN .  You are free to participate or not participate in this study.  HNHN is posting this for informational purposes only.  The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a COVID-19 specific mindfulness exercise to increase nurses’ resilience during this ... more

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, nurses are finding fresh, socially-safe ways to take care of their mental health. Burnout is a prevalent issue for more of us than ever before, so it’s important to find helpful practices to avoid it. One way to do this is through journaling. Did you keep a journal as a child or young adult? After you wrote your thoughts ... more

One of the themes we explore in the  #WeAreinThisTogether Student Nurse Wellness Challenge  is mentorship.  “Mentorship is also called sponsorship,” said Vernell DeWitty, PhD, RN, Director for Diversity and Inclusion at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). “When a mentor serves as a sponsor, they act as an advocate seeking ... more

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. Sure, routine is comfortable, but does it push you to become a better and healthier version of yourself? It’s a new year, which makes it the perfect, clean slate to do something you’ve always been reluctant to try. Why? Because stepping out of your comfort zone in a safe way can be good for you. In ... more

There’s no denying that 2020 has been a stressful year — and that’s putting it lightly. You’ve had a lot going on, so it’s even more crucial to keep that stress from building up and causing burnout . Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses can benefit from artistic outlets to gain a sense of calm, get out of their heads, and let go of the busyness of ... more

DISCLAIMER:   The content provided on this webpage is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice.  This webpage is for reference only.  Always consult with a qualified health care provider for any questions you may have regarding your health. Do you have diabetes, or are you at risk for developing it? Your blood sugar levels are a good ... more

By Andrea Coyle Mary Smith, charge nurse, was working her second of four 12 hours shifts. When Mary arrived on the unit, she was told by the night shift charge nurse “we had two sick calls and we do not have any nurses available to come in and help.” Sigh…Mary’s first thought was, “How am I going to accomplish all the tasks that are expected of me as the charge ... more

You may have heard the adage, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s true, you know. You can’t give to others something that you don’t possess. But what happens when your “cup of compassion” runs dry? Where do you fill your cup? Who fills it? You may be surrounded by a group of personal cheerleaders who love to encourage you, but if you’re like most of us, ... more

Heart health, lung health, brain health — these are all essential areas of well-being, but are you neglecting your body’s largest organ? The skin, which acts as a barrier to the external world, is often overlooked when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. But this living organ protects your internal body from all kinds of things in the outside world. Are you ... more

Reprinted with permission from Morrison Healthcare, an operating division of Compass One Healthcare.  See the original blog here . Making a difference in patients’ lives often starts with working closely with a hospital’s nursing staff. Morrison Executive Chef Marcelo Rubio and Kenneth Lim, a patient dining associate, were recently recognized ... more

By Julia Sarazine Have you experienced increased irritability, felt overwhelmed and exhausted or had difficulty falling asleep in the last month? These are all symptoms of burnout are more common currently among health care professionals due to the increased stress and anxiety from the COVID-19 pandemic as documented in an Italian study (Barello, ... more

By Brenda L. Lyon The article was derived from the newly released book HAVEN’T YOU SUFFERED ENOUGH? Clinically Proven Strategies to Conquer Stress by Dr. Brenda Lyon, PhD, CNS, RN.   Dr. Lyon’s message is grounded in validated theory, research and her over thirty-year study of stress. We’ve  been experiencing very difficult times in the last four ... more

By Lauren Mochizuki We are living in a very dynamic world right now.  While certain things are out of our control, there are still many things within our  control.  I have previously written about what nurses can do to  emergency-proof their finances.  The process of ensuring a financially  secure future can take several years.  In the meantime, we ... more

Lauren Mochizuki is an ER nurse, wife, mother, and financial blogger at www.casamochi.com where she writes about living a great life within your means.  Lauren has been featured on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, and Good Morning America, and she is passionate about helping other nurses feel confident with their finances. more

Take a look at these ANA COVID-19 Resources available to you, including FREE webinars & more! more

Below is an updated list of articles in the news as well as announcements that we've noticed. Take a look! more

How long has it been since you hung out with a group of friends? Or hugged someone? Or sat down to eat at a restaurant? When not taking care of patients, you’re probably practicing the government’s recommendation of social distancing. Also called physical distancing, the purpose is to slow the spread of COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control ... more

This year is special. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2020 the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife” in honor of the 200th birthday anniversary of Florence Nightingale. Yes, 2020 is a year of recognition and celebration for nurses, even in the midst of COVID-19. It’s also the perfect time to focus more on self-care and your own health and wellness ... more

Nurses are the heart of healthcare. While National Nurses Week runs from May 6–12 every year, it’s always a great time to recognize nurse contributions. Studies show that meaningful recognition can renew a nurse’s commitment to their profession. It inspires and motivates nurses to keep giving back to patients and colleagues. It deepens a nurse’s ... more

During this unprecedented time of fear and stress, nurses are at high risk for mental health issues like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.  Help is available and you are NOT alone. DISCLAIMER: The content provided on this webpage is general in nature and does not constitute legal or medical advice.  This webpage is for reference only.  ... more

Developed by Dr. Bernadette Melnyk and ANA Enterprise’s Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ If you are feeling anxious and stressed about the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone – many nurses are experiencing higher than normal stress and anxiety levels right now. Here are six tips for coping with COVID-19.  Breathe deeply: Take five slow deep breaths ... more

By Jill B. Hamilton, PhD, RN, FAAN and Nakia C. Best, PhD, RN Being a nurse is rewarding. We show compassion and empathy to patient and caregivers that are vulnerable and need our help to make difficult decisions. We serve as patient advocates. Nurses are also leaders and researchers that have a profound effect on how health care is delivered. No matter ... more

When we think about health and wellness, your financial habits may not seem like a top priority.  Surprisingly though, the biggest stress factor for most Americans today is money. It outranks family issues, health or work as a source of worry. Financial wellness is part of our quality of life and can help to alleviate stress and improve your overall ... more

Guest blogger, Terri Bogue, MSN, RN, PCNS-BC , co-author and developer of both the website and book entitled Extinguish Burnout: A Practical Guide to Prevention and Recovery , continues her blog series on nursing burnout by contrasting post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic growth. Nurses and other emergency responders see some of the ... more

Nurses have a great deal in common with family caregivers. Both selflessly give up their energy and time to care for another person(s). Both require daily patience, compassion, and resilience. And both often put others before themselves.  As nurses, embracing the family caregiver is just as important to the well-being of our patients as caring for ... more

By Linda Roszak Burton   more

By Eileen T. O’Grady, PhD, RN, NP Dr. Eileen O’Grady is a certified Nurse Practitioner and Wellness Coach who uses an evidence-based approach with people to reverse or entirely prevent disease.  With over 35 years of experience in health care, she believes deeply that more attention must be paid to getting us unstuck from lifestyles that do not support ... more

Anxiety at work? Eileen Carino, Clinical Director at Griffin Hospital, recommends acupuncture and aromatherapy. How can we do more to take care of ourselves in the workplace? That’s the question we continue to ask as we put our patients first (and ourselves last) day in and day out. There’s only so much time in the shift, yet so much to do. It’s not unusual ... more

Explore what having a nurse mentor, or being a mentor to someone else, can do for you. To be the best version of ourselves, we need to feel emotionally safe. The same is true at work. Emotional safety is a precondition for productive relationships, even in the workplace. Nurse mentorship helps create those emotionally safe relationships. Having a nurse ... more

Guest blogger,  Terri Bogue, MSN, RN, PCNS-BC ,  co-author and developer of both the website and book entitled Extinguish: Burnout A Practical Guide to Prevention and Recovery , continues her blog series on nursing burnout by contrasting it with compassion fatigue.  Her first blog addressed the need to thrive not just survive and the second, ... more

Guest blogger,  Terri Bogue, MSN, RN, PCNS-BC , co-author and developer of both the website and book entitled Extinguish Burnout , continues her blog series on burnout prevention. Learning how to manage the multiple demands placed on you is an important part of managing your personal agency and guarding against burnout.  Managing demands is ... more

Did you know that June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and the start of The Longest Day ®, a DIY fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association? As a granddaughter who has lost her dear grandfather to Alzheimer’s, and as an adult critical care nurse, I am very passionate about spreading awareness for Alzheimer’s, fundraising, and research. I say ... more

You spend so much time caring for others that you put yourself last. Your mind and body deserve some me-time. Patient care is only as good as the care you give yourself. And as the saying goes, the more you  fill up your own cup, the more you can pour into the cups of others. That’s the message Alison Hernandez, PhD, RN-BC, has for all nurses, but especially ... more

Guest blogger, Terri Bogue, MSN, RN, PCNS-BC , co-author and developer of both the website and book entitled Extinguish Burnout , shares some insights in preventing burnout in the nursing profession. There’s more than one way to avoid burnout.  For this blog, we define burnout as the perception that you cannot change your environment and thus have no ... more

Learn how nurses benefit from mini resilience-building exercises throughout the workday. Many nurses place themselves last on their list of priorities during their shifts. They forget to fuel themselves with healthy snacks and water, or take a bathroom break, or stop and catch their breath. Strong evidence links job stress, safety, and health ... more

 Understanding SAD, plus 5 strategies for beating the winter blahs. Pitch-black mornings and evenings, shorter days, and colder weather that makes it unpleasant to be outside for long: All these factors can contribute to feeling blue in the winter. And it’s perfectly normal.   However, if you feel sluggish or sad for weeks, you might have seasonal ... more

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It’s possible to feel fulfilled at work and at home. Nurse coach and RN Heather Lapides explains how.   more

Learn a simple technique to feel better quickly. If you’re feeling stressed, tired, overwhelmed, or in pain, try tapping. Also known as the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), tapping is similar to acupuncture, where lightly tapping certain points on the face and upper body can help relieve tension and stress. Unlike with acupuncture though, you ... more

There are some foods combinations that just seem to go together perfectly. And we’re not talking about chocolate and peanut butter (although that is a delicious combo). The food pairings below increase the nutrients your body absorbs, making your meals healthier with no extra effort. Try these pairings, along with a healthy recipe that uses both ... more

A bucket list, also known as a life list, is a record of the things you’d like to do or accomplish before you die. Research suggests that people who write down their goals are more likely to accomplish them. So, creating a bucket list is a powerful tool for reaching your life’s goals. Creating a life list is as simple as taking out a piece of paper and a pen and ... more

Description: The Japanese practice of unplugging and getting out in nature can make you happier and healthier. What is it about spending time in nature that makes us feel so good? A lot actually. Science has shown us that being outdoors and in nature may boost immunity , while lowering stress levels and improving mood . More good news: You don’t have to ... more

Barbara Dossey, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, HWNC-BC and Co-Director of the International Nurse Coach Association (HNHN Champion), explains what a nurse coach does and how to become one.   more

Jacque Crockford, Exercise Physiology Content Manager at the American Council on Exercise (ACE), shares five ways to up the fitness factor at your organization.   more

An Overview of Various Meditation Techniques more

Use Your Role as a Nurse to Get Engaged in Your Community and Beyond. Three of ANA’s advocacy experts share their tips for getting involved, even when you’re crunched for time.   more

Before you can get involved politically, you need to understand the issues. Read about some of the key political concerns of nurses. more

Jessica Ek, Social Media Engagement Manager for the American Nurses Association, shares tips and advice on avoiding common social media pitfalls as well as how to use the community to your benefit.  more

When you’re working toward accomplishing a big goal — like losing weight or getting fit — it can be hard to feel good about yourself during the process. But, you deserve to feel good about yourself right where you are now. And having strong self-esteem can improve your quality of life, well-being, and give you the confidence to keep working to achieve your goals. Try these tactics to feel better about who you are right now:   more

Want to see your organization make healthy changes? Help start a wellness team! Learn some how tos below. more

Tips and tricks to make 2019 the year you stick to your healthy goals.   more

When it comes to nurse safety and wellness, these hospitals crush it! Steal their ideas for your organization. more

We’re happy to share how HNHN premier partner The Ohio State University College of Nursing is helping faculty, staff and student nurses thrive.  more

Between juggling long shifts, patients in critical care, and trying to get yourself and your family ready for holiday festivities, it’s no wonder experiencing the joy of the season can be a challenge. Here are some ideas to simplify during this stressful time, so you, too, can be jolly!   Take a small step each day Feeling stressed about all you have to do ... more

Tips and tricks to make 2018 the year you stick to your healthy goals.   more

Learn more about how the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) is participating as an HNHN Champion Partner. more

5 ways being grateful can improve your outlook and well-being.    more

Camille Adair, RN and NMNA Chair, Healthy Nurse | Healthy New Mexico Interest Group discusses the importance of the connection between disclosure and well-being in this article from the New Mexico Nurse, originally published on August 2, 2017, and reprinted with permission of the New Mexico Nurses Association. Here is the link to the original online version .    more

Children’s Hospital - Los Angeles (CHLA)   was presented with a Certificate of Recognition for being an exceptional Premier Partner in ANA’s Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation Grand Challenge (HNHN) GC . more

Natasha Bethea, ANA’s Senior Membership Marketing Specialist, shares tips and strategies nurses can use to overcome generational issues in the workplace.   more

ANA’s Senior Policy Advisor Liz Stokes, JD, MA, RN, explains why moral courage is important for nurses and how to cultivate it.   more

Hospice nurse, Camille Adair, RN, shares her strategies for honoring the life and death of a patient – and nurses’ own suffering.    more

As nurses, many of us feel that, of course, we are mindful, but are we really? And just what is mindfulness? Check out this blog to learn more about how to stay mindful and how doing so can enhance your nursing practice. more

Nurses have to make decisions all the time and situations arise where decisions on what to do can feel daunting, especially when they feel unethical. How do you cope with taking actions you may be uncomfortable with, but are either asked or required to take? ANA’s Senior Policy Advisor Liz Stokes, JD, MA, RN, explains how moral distress affects us and how to work through it.   more

Bounce back from unhealthy blunders with these tips from health coach Camille Adair, RN .    more

Try these simple tweaks to add more joy to your day from Marie Shanahan MA, BSN, HN-BC.   more

Kati Kleber, BSN, RN, CCRN breaks down how to make sense of choosing your next steps in nursing. more

Are you burned out? Karen Anderson, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Patient and Family Centered Care at the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania explains how to recognize the symptoms and how to get help.  more

Nurses often have to simultaneously care for others both at work and at home, leaving ourselves strapped for time or attention to attend to our own needs. Angela Newton, a nurse at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, offers  some really good tips  on how to cope with the stresses that come when you are constantly focused on anyone, but yourself.    more

Eighty-two percent (82%) of nurses consider workplace stress to be the biggest workplace hazard. Pick up some tips from this blog to learn how to start using meditation as a way to  combat stress . more

Not sure when to get what checked out? Use this chart to make sure you’re up to date with your preventative check-ups. more

Not sure when to get what checked out? Use this chart to make sure you’re up to date with your preventative check-ups.   more

When employers provide the right tools, employees can create and foster healthy habits both at work and at home. Whether an on-site fitness center, weight loss plan reimbursement, or free cancer screenings, wellness perks all contribute to the health and longevity of staff members. Take a peek at what hospitals and other employers nationwide are doing to enhance the health of their nurses.    more

Nurses often work in high-stress environments and deal with life and death situations. This makes us almost twice as likely to experience depression as people in other professions. That's why it is important understand the signs and know how to get help. The good news is that since we’re in the health care industry, we have access to the treatment and support needed to recover. more

Did you know workplace stress impacts nurses with nearly the same frequency as infectious disease agents, on-the-job falls, and workplace violence combined?  Alleviate your stress by trying out these easy-to-implement strategies shared by Nicole Vienneau, RN and board-certified integrative nurse coach at Blue Monarch .   more