Health Times October 2019

October 2019

Aged Care special feature + Gerontological nursing - why the negative perceptions + The formation of friendships an incomparable reward for aged care nurses + Diet and lifestyle factors for thyroid disease + Tai Chi and Nursing: A Natural Combination

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Gerontological nursing: confronting the negative perceptions.

N

egative perceptions about working in aged care, fuelled in part by a Royal Commission into Aged Care and associated press coverage, are making the sector less desirable as a career option for nurses.

A literature review in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing highlights this sentiment, revealing that the field does not feature highly on most nurses’ career aspirations.

But with a rapidly ageing population and staff shortages across the sector, negative perceptions need to be addressed according to industry experts.

Angela Donato Connolly, a clinical nurse in aged care, began to appreciate gerontological nursing during community visits while working for a nursing agency.

“Many community patients are within the older or elderly population.

“There are a set of stereotypes surrounding the amount of intervention and difference a nurse can make regarding the ‘Western’ view of medicine.

“We cannot always ‘fix’ the chronic conditions that come with age and people think we ‘do’ less to change the trajectory of those conditions.

“It is seen as sad or depressing. This is driven largely by a lack of knowledge and awareness of caring for the aged population.”

The perception that working in aged care is somehow an easier option than other areas of nursing is incorrect and unfair, said Ms Connolly.

“Some feel aged care is a slower-paced work environment where a nurse can take it easier before they retire.

“I and many others in the field can assure you that this is not the case.

“Aged care nursing is just as challenging,

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fast-paced and rewarding as any day in ICU. “Both fields of nursing deal with bodies doing all the unglamorous, normal bodily functions, but at least in ICU you aren’t running as much. You’re assigned to one or two beds!

“It takes just as much critical, autonomous thinking to work as an aged care nurse – and some might say a lot more creativity,” said Ms Connolly.

Mark Aitkin, a former aged care nurse manager, said several aged care nurses have expressed that they don’t feel valued.

“There was a perception from their acute care colleagues that they worked in aged care because they couldn’t get a job anywhere else, and their skills were not current or satisfactory.

“Hence, the reason so many residents were transferred from aged care facilities to the emergency department.”

If this perception is to change, more value needs to be placed on the importance of nurses in quality aged care facilities, said Mr Aitkin.

“A good start would be mandated minimum numbers of registered and enrolled nurses in residential aged care facilities.

“The federal Aged Care Act 1997 requires aged care providers to have an ‘adequate number’ of appropriately skilled staff to meet the care needs of residents.

“Aged care providers interpret this differently.

“There is, therefore, the disparity in relation to the number and type of staff that are employed to meet the care needs of residents.”

The problem is also societal, as there is a common misunderstanding surrounding the complexity of aged care.

“Many people don’t understand the value of having registered and enrolled nurses in aged care.

“The reality is that this costs more and are consumers willing to pay for this?

“I hope that the Royal Commission into

Aged Care makes some recommendations that the sector acts on,” said Mr Aitkin.

ANMF’s Assistant Federal Secretary LoriAnne Sharp said the 2019 National Aged Care Survey revealed that the majority of aged care nurses feel undervalued for the work they do.

“Any stigma that exists in the community is founded on the fact that our aged care system is in crisis and currently does not support staff with the sufficient time to deliver the care that the elderly need and deserve,” said Ms Sharp.

2019 National respondents.

Aged

Cared

Care

“Why are gerontological nurses paid less than the acute sector given that the skills required to remain in aged care include excellent clinical assessment skills to recognise the deteriorating resident, management of residents, staff and resources.

“It is not recognised that excellent residential aged care nurses have skills that many of their counterparts in the public sector do not, yet there is a perceived attitude among nurses of ‘dumbing down’ knowledge and skills to work in aged care,” said one respondent.

“I think community culture surrounding aged care services is poor, expectations from families, residents and community clients are quite rightly high, but aged care staff are undervalued in terms of pay parity which reflects on the staffing levels and workplace culture. Staff feel their role is not recognised as important compared to other sectors and other parts of the sector,” said another respondent.

“It is seen as a low-level occupation, widely known as being understaffed, underpaid and overworked...It is a special thing to be able to care for people at the end of their lives and their final months, weeks, years... it’s a privilege to be a part of this, would be nice if this was acknowledged and appreciated....and staffed appropriately. Our elderly deserves it,” explained one respondent.

Nurses in aged care are proud and dedicated to the work they do, but too often aged care facilities are understaffed, and staff are overworked, explained Ms Sharp.

“The elderly are entering nursing homes older, frailer, many with complex health needs, and over fifty per cent have dementia.

“Caring for the elderly is demanding - nurses and carers need the time, support and adequate resources to do their job well.

“It can be difficult work both emotionally and physically and is often low paid.

“It is important that the Government acts now as a matter of urgency to address the low staffing levels that exist in aged care facilities so that our elderly are properly cared for and staff have the time needed to meet individual needs.

“Nurses in emergency departments or paediatrics are much likely to have safe patientto-staff ratios.

“You would never hear of only one registered nurse caring for 100 paediatric patients, where this is a common occurrence in residential aged care.”

Minimum staffing ratios to provide safer working conditions and delivery of quality care to the elderly is critical to the future of aged care nursing, said Ms Sharp.

“Legislated staffing ratios in aged care will assist in attracting nurses to work in aged care and support staff retention.

“As a society, we must value the elderly and respect those who do the very important work of caring for them.

“There’s an urgent need for the Government to legislate minimum safe staffing levels in residential aged care.

“If mandated staff to resident ratios are not introduced, nurses will continue to leave the sector and residents will continue to suffer.”

HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 11

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HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 13

When Nursing leads you overseas…

A

ndy Davies has been in the nursing field for greater than 30 years working his way around the globe. He completed his hospital training in 1991, gained a Critical Care and a Coronary Certificate, then a Masters of Education & finally a PhD. Along the way he has held multiple Nursing Education positions in Australia, Qatar & Saudi Arabia.

“It’s interesting - My first placement in Saudi was in 1993 & only lasted 7 months; I was very homesick. Since then I have spent in total 16 years in Saudi Arabia plus three & a half years in Qatar. ” Andy has come a long way since being homesick though. In 1997, he returned to Saudi to become the Nursing Education Co-ordinator for the Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre (PSCC). With the full support of the hospital, he and other Nursing Education staff transformed PSCC Nursing Education with the development of over 20 study days, workshops and courses. During his time at PSCC & under his guidance, over 52 Nurses have progressed to become Clinical Nursing Educators. “If motivated I believe there are many career opportunities for nurses willing to grow & develop. In PSCC, we provide nursing education up to five days a week.”

After travelling to Qatar and then back to Australia as Nurse Lecturer at University of Southern Queensland, Andrew returned to PSCC in 2018 as the Deputy Director of Nursing – Nursing Education. “[Nurses are] Meeting and working with people and

Page 14 | HealthTimes.com.au

cultures from all over the world. The potential for developing into higher nursing positions happens more quickly than in Australia & I think this is very important feature of working in the Middle East.”

Andy is realistic about the work though, “…it is a very different culture to Australia. The workforce is multinational… One has to be prepared for working in differing ways. This is true for shifting hospitals in Australia and it is true here.”

Having said this, the changes Andy’s witnessed since returning to Saudi have been immense. “In the 1990s, Saudi was extremely different to Australia.

It really was a foreign world and very alien.

Fast forward to the present, 2019 … the difference is much less…. The choices for shopping, eating out, and buying clothes are infinitely better than when I first arrived in the 1990s…. It makes life feel much more normal.”

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HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 17

Tai Chi and Nursing: A Natural Combination

Y

ou might not automatically associate the art of tai chi with the medical expertise of nursing, but for Anastasia Yianni, the combination couldn’t be more natural.

“Tai Chi is about the integration of mind and body and building strength from the inside out,” says Ms Yianni.

“The nursing environment can often be stressful. It is paramount to look after our own health in order to be able to care for others more effectively.

“Calm and relaxed nurses have a positive effect on their patients and with the people they work with.

“Nurses can benefit by incorporating the tai chi principles into their everyday lives for physical and mental well-being. In turn they can also use what they have learnt in Tai Chi to enhance the lives of the people under their care.”

After many years working in a variety of nursing roles, such as general nursing, psychiatric nursing, as well as rehabilitation, Ms Yianni found shift work became difficult after having her son, promoting a shift into the Physiotherapy Department.

“It was during this time that I realised more and more the value in exercise for health and wellness; as a way to take control of your own life for an optimum level of independence.”

When her son was three, Ms Yianni decided to take a tai chi class, as a way of combatting stress.

“It was a few years later that I went to a class and was taught Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis program. The way this program was taught helped

Page 18 | HealthTimes.com.au

me remember it and I was hooked.

“I loved the fact that I had found a walking meditation. I had tried sitting to meditate and was not very good at it at the time. Tai Chi was perfect for me. I could move and meditate at the same time.

“I loved sharing the experience with my son.

And doing tai chi with other people. You just feel so connected.

“I loved that it helped me feel calm.

When my son was young, bringing him up on my own, I found it helped me deal with feelings of anxiety.

“Tai Chi was so good for my health and complimented the way I thought about empowering yourself to be as well as possible.”

Ms Yianni says being able to practice Tai Chi not only helped in her personal life, but also in her role as a nurse.

“Absolutely dealing with stress, I would take myself off for a toilet stop and do the qigong breathing exercise.

“I would arrive earlier at work when no one was in the office and practice tai chi movements.”

When Ms Yianni was a student attending tai chi classes, she was introduced to Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Programs (TCH) and decided to become a trainer of the programs herself.

“The TCH programs are especially suitable for nurses being easy and quick to learn with prior preparation.

“There is a proven system of training which is safe and effective. TCH programs can be modified to suit individuals and can be done standing, seated

The formation of friendships an incomparable reward for aged care nurses

W

hile aged care nursing is known for its challenges and lack of resources, working in this field offers many unique rewards, such as the friendships formed between patient and nurse.

“Nursing was always something I wanted to do, it offered the opportunity to work in a dynamic space and improve care and outcomes for often those who are vulnerable,” says Registered Nurse and CEO of Oryx Communities, Michelle De Ronchi.

“I was enticed into aged care by an ex-colleague, from the acute care sector.

“Aged care nursing is so diverse, from hands on complex clinical care, to leading staff, liaising with medical and allied health teams, ensuring an active and engaged lifestyle/activity program and adding real value to the lives of those we support.

“There’s also compliance, human resource management, procurement and the list goes on - never a dull moment in aged care!”

For Ms De Ronchi though, the ‘gold’ is being able to get to know each resident and understand what each of their goals are and help them achieve this.

“The special moments of sharing and just

Page 20 | HealthTimes.com.au

being there for our residents - and their loved ones - are priceless.”

Ms De Ronchi says in many cases, the nurses and staff are the only people residents have contact with, and the family-like relationships become important to both.

“Often the staff and nurses are the only contact they have, sharing common interests, sharing life experiences, having a confidant or a friend; really having the opportunity to get to know the people who are caring for them and to build that trust with them too.

“Being able to build a rapport and friendship is what is so special about working as a nurse. It is a mutual relationship we are able to share and learn a great deal from each other.

For Ms De Ronchi, the friends and extraordinary relationships she has formed have, in some ways, defined her career.

“Several still hold very special memories for me, and all have helped shaped me for who I am and the nurse/leader I have become.”

Of course, with special friendships, comes heartache when residents become ill, or pass away, which is common within the industry.

“Being able to support them through their journey is a privilege and we do all grieve the loss.

“It is critical for organisations and the team to ensure we look out for each other and support them especially when in aged care, we have often known and cared for our residents - and their families - for many years.”

Ms De Ronchi, says it’s important for aged care nurses to support each other by acknowledging the loss, enabling those who were close to be able to say farewell, attend the funeral and celebrate memories.

“Counselling services and Employee Assistance Programs are also very useful, and I encourage staff, families and other residents to access these.”

But there’s more to aged care nursing than treasured friendships, and Ms De Ronchi says the day to day of the job is diverse and varied.

“The routine changes so quickly depending on the day or shift so you need to be flexible and be able to prioritise and reprioritise quickly.

“The day usually starts with a hand over from the previous shift to ensure all the staff are aware of the current care needs of the residents, identify any concerns and issues that need to be addressed, reviewing the staffing needs for the day, replacing sick staff, allocating staff to residents.

“Reviewing any unwell residents, overseeing medication administration, liaising with allied health, medical team, pharmacies, supporting families and providing clinical care such as wound care or catheter care.

“Unfortunately, a large part of the RN day includes documentation and administration, such as assessments, care plan development, progress notes, lodging applications for funding, etc.”

Ms De Ronchi’s experience moving from the acute care sector to aged care meant she went from looking after a small number of patients to being responsible for a whole facility and all the staff within it.

“Often in a hospital setting, the lengths of stay can be quite short, so you don’t really get a great opportunity to get to know the patients and families.

“In aged care, this is their home, and we work in it.

“We are all about building relationships with the resident, their family and friends and really getting to know the ‘essence’ of each resident.”

Ms De Ronchi is now the CEO of Oryx Communities, where she hopes to continue to create and deliver unique and exceptional aged care that integrates into the community.

“Unfortunately, the funding of aged care has not kept up with the aspirations of the community and what we know we want to achieve.

“Australia can do better, aged care funding needs to be increased to adequately fund, value and ensure older Australians get the best possible care in their later years.”

HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 21

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HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 23

Diet and lifestyle considerations in thyroid disease

T

here is no special diet for those taking thyroid hormone medication, with a few exceptions. However, aiming for a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and adopting a healthy lifestyle keeps those with thyroid disease feeling good once thyroid levels are regulated with medication.

The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating the body’s metabolic rate, growth and development.

It is like the body’s thermostat, said Accredited Practicing Dietician Leah Stjernqvist, as it adjusts its output of thyroid hormones from the messages received from the hypothalamus via a negative feedback loop.

“If the thyroid is under or overactive, the whole system can be thrown out of balance, becoming too fast or too slow.”

Thyroid disease and associated symptoms Hypothyroidism When the thyroid is underactive and is not producing enough thyroid hormone, it is hypothyroidism, which causes all metabolic processes to slow down.

Hypothyroidism can result in a range of side effects, including: • • •

Goitre Fatigue Weight gain

Page 24 | HealthTimes.com.au

• • • • • • •

Slow heart rate Elevated cholesterol Constipation Sore muscles and joints Dry skin, brittle nails and hair Mood and memory changes (including depression) Menstrual changes There are three categories of hypothyroidism 1. Hashimoto’s (autoimmune, most common if iodine intake sufficient) 2. Overt hypothyroidism (symptomatic and evident in a blood test) 3. Subclinical hypothyroidism (symptoms may or may not be present, evident in blood tests).

Hyperthyroidism If the thyroid is overactive and producing too much thyroid hormone hyperthyroidism results, and all metabolic processes become faster.

Hyperthyroidism can result in a range of side effects, including: • • • • • •

Osteopenia weight loss Rapid or irregular heartbeat High blood pressure Diarrhoea Hand tremors

• Insulin resistance and elevated blood glucose levels • Anxiety, irritability, sleep difficulties • Thinning skin • Menstrual changes • Sweating and an intolerance to heat Graves’ Disease is the most common autoimmune hyperthyroidism which can be characterised by protruding eyeballs, dry eyes and vision difficulties.

Dietary health of

choices can improve the those with thyroid disease

Though there are no particular foods or supplements that are helpful for thyroid disease, overall healthy dietary patterns can improve the health of those with thyroid disease, explained Ms Stjernqvist.

Essential nutrients such as selenium, zinc and iron are crucial to thyroid function.

“Selenium and zinc are needed for the conversion of T4 hormone (thyroxine) into the more powerful T3 (triiodothyronine), and iron deficiency has been linked to hypothyroidism, particularly Hashimoto’s disease.”

When iodine is lacking, the thyroid cannot produce sufficient levels of thyroid hormones, said Lite n Easy Dietician Maryl-Ann Marshall. As a result, iodine-rich foods are essential.

“It’s important to eat enough iodine-rich foods to ensure healthy thyroid hormone production.

“The main dietary sources of iodine in Australia are commercially baked bread, cow’s milk and fish.

“Table salt is typically fortified to include iodine; however, products such as sea salt, Himalayan rock salt and other specialty salts are not fortified with iodine and naturally container much lower levels.

“While it’s important not to consume too much salt, make sure that the salt you do use is fortified with iodine – lookout for ‘iodised salt’ at

the supermarket,” said Ms Marshall.

In Australia, it is mandatory for all baked bread, except organic bread, to be made with iodised salt.

“Organic bread is not required to be made with iodised salt, so you would need to check the label or talk to your baker.

“Dairy is also an important source of dietary iodine. If you do not consume dairy products, check the label to see whether your plant-based milk has been fortified with iodine.

“Seaweed is naturally rich in iodine and can be a good option for plant-based diets.”

Iodine: a crucial mineral in thyroid hormone production.

Iodine is the building block or thyroid hormones, a mineral required in trace amounts, said Ms Stjernquist.

“Iodine is found in a wide range of food sources, but the amount of iodine in foods depends on where and when the food was grown.

“Levels of iodine found in Australian soils are considered to be low.

“Fish, seafood and seaweed are the richest sources of naturally occurring iodine.

“As naturally occurring iodine is low in the Australian food supply, salt and bread are often fortified with iodine.

“Foods fortified with iodine are considered the best sources of iodine.

“However, due to the association of sodium intake and hypertension, iodised salt intake is thought to have decreased in Australia.”

What to eat to meet iodine needs?

Seafood – oysters are high in iodine, but all fish and seafood will contain some iodine.

Bread (packaged) - is now made using iodised salt in Australia. This excludes organic, unpackaged and gluten-free bread.

HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 25

Seaweed (kelp), dairy products and eggs – offer additional dietary sources of iodine.

Vegetables – may contain iodine; however, this depends on whether the soil they are grown in is iodine-rich.

“Adequate iodine intake should be achievable from consuming a varied healthy diet,” said Ms Stjernquist.

Foods that inhibit thyroid hormone production Foods that can interfere with iodine uptake and inhibit the production of thyroid hormone production, goitrogens, are found in brassica or cruciferous vegetables.

Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, spinach, swedes, turnips, as well as soy.

“Goitrogens are more likely to impact those with already impaired thyroid function.

“However, the amount of these vegetables that you would need to ingest for this to occur is very large.

“The health benefits of consuming a diet with a variety of vegetables including brassicas for people with impaired thyroid function far outweighs the risk of goitrogens,” said Ms Stjernquist.

Foods that contain goitrogens are typically healthy foods that contain a range of important nutrients, vitamins and minerals and should not be avoided, agreed Ms Marshall.

“Instead of avoiding these foods, focus on having a varied diet so that you aren’t eating too many of these foods at a given time.

“You can also cook some of your veggies, by steaming, sautéing or blanching, to help reduce their goitrogen content.”

It is not recommended that soy, grapefruit or calcium or iron-containing supplements are ingested within four hours of levothyroxine, a hormone replacement for those with hypothyroidism, said Ms Stjernquist.

“It should be taken on an empty stomach

Page 26 | HealthTimes.com.au

at least 30 minutes before food.

“Paradoxically, high levels of iodine intake can also re-induce symptoms for those with hypothyroidism.

“It is therefore advised that these clients avoid kelp supplements and seaweed snacks, as the levels of iodine in these products can vary considerably, and package labelling may not accurately reflect iodine content.

“It is also recommended that those with known hypothyroidism consult a medical professional before using supplements, such as multivitamins or prenatal supplements, due to iodine content.”

Lifestyle factors for thyroid disease If you have thyroid disease, a healthy diet, exercise, and reducing stress are important lifestyle factors for optimising health and wellbeing.

“It’s important to maintain muscle mass by exercising regularly and consuming a balanced diet, with protein distributed throughout the day.

“Managing stress and getting enough sleep is also key.

“Stress interferes with the messages the thyroid gland receives from the brain, and prolonged stress can have a more significant physical manifestation for someone with thyroid disease,” said Ms Stjernquist.

“It is important to eat a varied diet to ensure you consume a range of nutrients, particularly if you have impaired thyroid function and need to avoid over-consuming goitrogenic foods.

“Smoking should also be avoided, as it’s an important risk factor for goitres,” said Ms Marshall.

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HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 27

Schools get on board amid growing recognition of the importance of mindfulness for children

A

s children report higher rates of stress than ever before, with Mission Australian citing mental health as the number one concern for young Australians aged 15 to 19, the importance of health and wellbeing development is schools is rapidly increasing.

“Today’s kids are faced with more stress than the children of previous generations,” says Psychotherapist Eugenie Pepper.

“In many families both parents are working and not around as much as in previous generations, more kids have parents that are divorced, children are overscheduled and this is mostly by choice, many have a fear of missing out, peer pressure and social media.

“Pressures on young people can come from parents, teachers, peers and the society.

“Young people worry about making friends, doing well in school, not being sporty enough, peer pressure and lack of confidence.

“Children may have to cope with bullying in the playground. Balancing homework, extracurricular activities the social pressure in the playground and social media - our kids are living in a hectic fast-paced world.”

Which is why Ms Pepper recommends children take part in daily mediation and

Page 28 | HealthTimes.com.au

mindfulness as a way of helping them cope with the pressures of the modern world.

“Meditation helps children learn to manage strong emotions.

“It helps kids function more effectively, improves attention and behaviour.”

Ms Pepper says research has shown children gain the following benefits from mindfulness and meditation.

• Improve school performance • Calms the nervous system •Improve health and wellbeing • Relieves anxiety and stress • Reduces depression • Improves sleep • Decreases stress hormones “When a child learns to meditate, they also become more present, mindful, and more self-aware and better able to self-regulate their emotions.

“They become more aware of what they are doing, how they are reacting.

“Children and teens taking time out each day to unplug become more relaxed, more focused and happier.”

Sitting still can be difficult for some children so mindfulness techniques are often in the form of movement, yoga, or simply getting them to become aware of their

surroundings, the sounds they can hear, what they feel in their body and what they can see.

“For children who find it difficult to sit still you can encourage them to want to slow down and do activities mindfully to help you relax and feel present in the moment.

“Mindfulness is the act of focusing on being in the present, such as focusing completely on eating, feeling a breeze on your skin, listening to the sounds you can hear, feeling the temperature on your skin, focus your attention a word you repeat in your head.”

Once the concept is understood, Ms Pepper says parents can assist in their child’s mindfulness development too.

“For preschool and primary children, parents can create their own guided meditation custom made to suit their child incorporating subject matter and imagery that you know will appeal to you child.

“For little kids, you can guide your own child in mediation buy using storytelling and teaching them to be more mindful.

Parents can incorporate guided meditation, a relaxation body scan or deep breathing into their children’s bedtime routine. It will help them wind down and maybe sleep better too.”

Ms Pepper says when she’s introduced these techniques to young children, they’ve been well received.

“From my experience with my 10-year and 11-years old’s, they beg me to make up

guided meditations for them.

“Kids who meditate and are more mindful, pay attention better, less distractible, are better learners, better able to stay calm under stress, listen better, more patient and feel happier.”

It’s a concept that’s growing in popularity as worldwide recognition of the benefits of meditation increases.

In fact, an increasing number of schools are introducing meditation and mindfulness techniques into their curriculums to help foster and positive wellbeing of their students.

“Schools are already incorporating Positive Psychology life skills including mindfulness and mediation and seeing great results.

“Positive Psychology sciencebacked life skills are being included in curr i c u l u m -a l i g n e d school programs, empowering students with social, emotional and physical skills which will not only help them develop their human skills, it will also enable them to thrive.

“Meditation should be taught in all schools, the earlier children start the better to help them learn to control their emotions and feelings to prevent and relive mental illness, anxiety, and depression.

“Meditation is like exercise, it gets easier with practice.”

HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 29

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HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 31

Nurses must practice self care or or risk facing physical consequences

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hile nursing is one of the world’s most rewarding careers, a significant downside can be time away from those you love the most - and without proper self-care, the gruelling hours can have an impact on your physical health.

“I think the mentally toughest times for me are being rostered on shifts when I know I’m missing out on family events,” says registered nurse, Candice Canon.

“Working blocks of nights can sometimes make you feel very disconnected from the real world.”

But while mentally it can be a strain, the expected shift-work that comes as part of nursing can take its toll on your physical wellbeing, if you’re not careful.

“On those extremely busy days, where you barely sit down, you can finish a shift quite fatigued.

“It’s essential that nurses take care of their backs and always use appropriate equipment to protect us from any injuries when moving patients etc.

“I’m not sure about anyone else, but nightshift rotation can often cause my skin to become dull and breakout, so I always aim to drink plenty of water and do an at home face mask once my nightshift rotation is over.”

With the normal circadian rhythm being disrupted, Ms Canon the risks can go far

Page 32 | HealthTimes.com.au

beyond a bad back and fatigue though, which is why it’s crucial to take steps to minimise them.

“Risks can include weight gain, stomach upsets and constipation, low mood, altered cognitive function – which increases the risk of a motor vehicle accident - and some evidence suggests there’s an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and potential breast cancer.”

Nursing generally works in split shifts within an acute hospital setting, either for eight or 12 hours.

“I started out doing eight hour shifts, however the last 3.5 years have only done 12 hour shifts.”

With these sorts of hours par for the course for those in nursing, Ms Canon takes carefully considered steps to keep herself fit and healthy.

Many of those steps relate to ensuring she gets enough sleep to ensure she’s on high alert during her night shifts.

“I block out all light in my house, have a warm shower before bed, have earplugs if it’s noisy outside, ensure my phone is on silent and I don’t look at it before bed.

“I try to eliminate all the usual stimulation of daytime so I can optimise my resting period.”

With a career dedicating to taking care of the needs of others, Ms Canon makes sure she nourishes her own soul too, finding time

to do the things that make her personally happy.

“I always make sure I take time out for ‘me’ days. I love my job and caring for others, and it’s essential that in order to give 100 per cent at work, nurses take the time to recharge.

“I take time out by walking my dog for an hour every day, visiting the beach at least once a week, taking adult ballet class once a week and visiting my family.

“I find having a little weekend away or trip booked in the calendar is a great way to prevent burnout, or even just a little bit of annual leave for a ‘staycation’ and having no plans can be the recharger I need.”

For Ms Canon, spending time with her family is equally important as caring for her physical health, so she tries to schedule time together as much as possible.

“We always try to have dinners together

when I’m on day shifts, and at least one weekend day together.

“Prioritising family is essential for me.

“If I’ve got a big block of nights our Sunday family dinner, with grandparents, uncles etc, will take place earlier so I can still spend time with everyone and then head off straight to work.”

Despite the effort that Ms Canon puts into taking care of herself, and prioritising the things that matter the most to her, she says it’s all worth it.

“Nursing is an extremely rewarding career.

“There’s nothing like leaving work knowing you made a difference in someone’s life at a time where they were extremely vulnerable and unwell.

“Nursing is such a great balance between critical thinking, clinical skills and direct patient care.”

HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 33

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HealthTimes - October 2019 | Page 35

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