The Importance Of Occupational Wellness

Introduction How long can we expect to lead with the example of "Do as I say, not as I do?" Nurses and health educators are expected to provide good examples of healthy lifestyles (Borchardt, 2000, p.29). Nurses are role models and their actions should reflect what they promote. Patient cannot be expected to respect the nurses if the nurses do not provide self-care to themselves physically and emotionally? National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health states that "The nature of the work [nursing] requires sophisticated technical skill, vigilance, and judgment . . . under intense conditions and considerable pressure"(Mckeon, Norris, Cardell & Britt). Self-care and mindfulness training is said to alleviate the pressure and intense working

The author should start by making measurable goals for each area of wellness. For instance, Occupational wellness can be improved by maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The author needs to discuss of getting a set schedule and work limited hours. Specifically the author’s set schedule consists of working a week on three times by working the weekends only and limiting work to a maximum of 25 hours a week while being a full time college student. Another way to develop occupational wellness is learning to assess strengths and weakness. To assess strengths and weakness, the author should write in a notebook after every shift for ten minutes and reflect on what went well and badly during the shift. Intellectual wellness can be established by keeping up-to-date with current events. To keep up with current events, the author can watch the news for 30 minutes Monday- Thursday in the morning before class. Another strategy is developing new skills. During the year the author could decide to minor in psychology or nutrition in order to broaden her education and perspective. The next semester, the author could add two prequisites for the minor to her schedule. Lastly nutrition can be improved in many different ways such as eating breakfast three or more times a week for the next month. Nutrition can also be improved by drinking at least 3 glasses of water per day for the next two months. Carrying a water bottle will help the author achieve this goal. With these little adjustments life can make a difference personally but professionally