1. I want to explore what it takes to work as an RN abroad. A large part of my decision to become a Bachelor's educated Nurse was so I would take my practice internationally for at least a year. There are many countries across Europe, Africa, and the Southern Hemisphere where English is their primary language. This makes working and communicating with patients and doctor's more feasible. But then I have been thinking what are my options if I wanted to work in a non-English speaking country? Well, there are "American" hospitals based throughout the world and there are American military bases as well.
I have also thought to explore what Travel Nursing Agencies there are that deal with international placement. This is something I know relatively nothing about, yet it has its perks. I want to delve into what agencies exist and how to get into contact with them.
While I would be up for travel nurse volunteering in my life, I really want to work internationally as an RN as well. I feel many parts of nursing translate around the globe. 1mL in the United States is the equivalent of 1mL in Botswana. However, the parts that differ will probably be the way care is delivered, the role of the RN in other countries, and working conditions. Travel expands your life when it is just for fun, and I think travel for work can also expand your working life.
2. Goal number two is something that scares me at work and that I do not enjoy but should really explore deeper. This is the subject of "sheath pulls". As I work on a cardiac floor, we have many patients going to the cath lab. Upon returning to our floor, they most often still have the sheath in their groin. It is the responsibility of the resource nurse or charge nurse to pull the sheath.
There are so many variables that I find it somewhat overwhelming and do not enjoy it!!! However, I do not like thinking there is something at work that will always intimidate me. So I would like to jump in to explaining all the variables so as to learn it better myself. Some of the variables include which type of device to use to pull it, and which medications the patient got while in the cath lab and their various rules to follow. Yet there are many more variables and nuances that I would like to reflect on and improve my knowledge. Usually I find being afraid of something is just because you do not understand it. So rather than live in a world of avoidance, I look forward to the opportunity to delve deeper.
3. Goal three I would like to reflect on self-care as nurse. It is a constant back and forth between caring for others and caring for yourself. I think reflecting and emphasizing the importance of self-care is a good priority to set when working as caregivers for other people. Specifically 5, fast-paced critically ill people.
There is the age old wisdom that you are better at taking care of others when you have taken care of yourself. And while I feel like I do an OK job of looking out for my well being, there is always room for improvement. Currently my most loved self care strategies are long nights sleep and warm showers, but there is a world out there of what self-care entails. These tips can both improve my work-life balance but are also beneficial in all other life-... balances.
One of the benefits of being a 12hr shift RN is the amount of free time it allows you. While this currently is interrupted due to school, the rest of our lives we should take advantage of this gift and live our free time to the fullest. Enjoying your free time I believe is a strong element of self-care.
I believe these three goals align with things I have been contemplating recently in my own life. I love the opportunity to explore them deeper and share them with others.
Ms. Sunny Side Up,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your goals for moving forward. Seems like we share the same goal of self-care and I agree with you 100% that we should probably take better care of ourselves, especially with 12 hour shifts, which actually is more like a 14-15 hour day if you factor commuting and other activities tied to working. One way I cope with the stressors of work is by finding time to make it to the gym on my breaks. For myself, working out or just practicing my boxing usually is enough stress relief to keep me sane on busy nights, and since I'm usually too tired to exercise when I get home from work, it kind of works perfectly during my stretch at the hospital. May not work for everyone, but I does for me. Just like you, I like to sleep long and hard, sometimes 10+ hours after 4-12 hour shifts, and long hot showers as well. I'm a firm believer in playing hard if one works hard....cheers to spoiling ourselves on our days off~! :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think it is SO exciting that you are thinking of nursing abroad. The one class I regret not being to fit into my schedule during pre-req's was one on Global Health… I was dying to take that. I will keep my eyes and ears out for any opportunities.
ReplyDeleteOur ADN class set a goal the first year to graduate as "The Healthiest Class Ever" and made all these plans to exercise, etc. No one even talked about it by the second year. School does take up such a chunk of time, but I agree with you and Jason that there is room to fit it all in. Y'all are inspiring me to keep on it!
I am so excited to follow your exploration of international nursing. Being able to move or travel anywhere in the world is one of the things that drew me to nursing. I think it is really one of the biggest assets to the profession. While there are sick people everywhere who need healing, there are also healthy people who need educating on how to stay healthy. You are right that there are so many avenues you could pursue as an English speaking nurse. In addition to the military bases and American hospitals you mentioned, there are also relief agencies that continuously travel and help people dealing with natural disasters. Would you want to live and work in one place for a year or so, or would you want to be continuously traveling and exploring? There are so many exciting options to look into.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t realize that patients left the cath lab with the sheath still stuck in their leg. With all the potential complications, can see why it would be a bit unnerving to be the one to remove it. I look forward to hearing more about this.
the prospect of working around the world has a lot of spark. adventure as well as information. I am happy to think that you can use your time to set yourself up and get some ideas for what happens next.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, things are not so uncomfortable when they become more familiar, referring to sheath pulls. I however have learned to give myself permission for not doing everything that is scary. I realize that it takes courage to go toward your fears, but I think its also valuable to know yourself and your preferences. So maybe some time could be spent just reflecting on your motivations.
And your third goal just seems right - to find a sustainable balance.