Ep. 95 - How to Increase Your Energy as a Busy Nurse
Ready to unlock the secrets to increased energy for a busy shift? Join Caroline, Laura, Maritess, Neil, and Parker as they share their own struggles, stories and personal approaches to achieving greater energy and well-being as busy nurses.
As a nurse, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthily is an important part of this. Eating a balanced diet can help to keep your energy levels up, maintain your physical and mental health, and support your overall wellbeing. One of the biggest challenges for nurses is finding the time to eat healthily. Working long shifts and long hours can make it difficult to make healthy choices. With busy shifts, it can be tempting to grab a quick snack or a sugary energy drink to get through the day. However, this can lead to feeling sluggish and unproductive in the long run. It is important to plan ahead and make sure you have healthy snacks on hand. This could include fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, or whole grain snacks. These snacks will provide you with energy and nutrients that will help you to stay alert and focused throughout the day. In addition to snacks, it is important to make sure you are eating regular, balanced meals. This can be difficult with a busy schedule, but it is important to make time for a proper meal. Eating a balanced meal will provide you with the nutrients you need to stay energized and healthy. Finally, it is important to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and a lack of concentration, so it is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Carry a water bottle with you and make sure you are drinking enough water. To recap, eating healthily is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As a nurse, it is important to make time for healthy snacks and meals, and to stay hydrated throughout the day. Eating healthily will help to keep your energy levels up and maintain your physical and mental health. Neil's advice for healthy eating is to focus on having nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. He suggests eating smaller meals more frequently and planning ahead so that you have healthy food options available. He also recommends drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and energized. Maritess's advice for healthy eating is to make sure to have a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and complex carbohydrates. It's also important to stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Lastly, it's important to take breaks throughout the day to refuel and recharge. Caroline's advice for healthy eating is to make sure to get enough nutrients and energy to keep up with your busy schedule. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will help fuel your body and brain and provide the energy you need to stay productive. Additionally, try to drink plenty of water throughout the day and limit your consumption of sugary and processed foods. Laura's advice for healthy eating is to have somebody in your life that you can talk to about nutrition and energy, and to have a formal process in place to keep you honest and moving forward. She also suggests applying for mentorship programs and taking advantage of education opportunities to learn about nutrition and energy. Parker's advice regarding healthy eating was to make sure to get enough energy and nutrition while being a busy nurse. She suggested eating foods that are high in protein and fiber and drinking plenty of water. The co-hosts advised that it is important to make sure to eat healthy and nutritious meals, even when life is busy. They suggested making time to plan meals ahead of time and to find ways to incorporate healthy snacks into your day. They also emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, as well as taking the time to rest and recharge. SHOWNOTES 00:04:57 Eat healthy for energy. 00:07:16 Eat high-protein diet. 00:12:19 Eat nutritious foods regularly. 00:16:05 Listen to your body's needs. 00:24:41 Drink water to stay hydrated. 00:27:03 Eat consciously and hydrate. 00:30:26 Make impactful changes.
CO-HOSTS
Caroline Ashman, MSN, RN, CMSRN was born and raised in England. She had two dreams in life – to become a nurse and live in the United States. She accomplished the first task in 1985 and then in 1991, immigrated to America. She currently serves as a Nurse Leader. She has also been afforded the wonderful opportunity to teach Med Surg Review Courses across the United States and in Europe for AMSN. Collecting air miles and sharing stores along the way, she is thrilled to join the Podcast team and recognize that the specialty of medical surgical nursing is alive and well. Caroline lives with her husband Jimmy, in metro Atlanta and has two grown daughters, Jennifer & Emily.
Laura Johnson, MSN, RN, CMSRN has been a nurse since 2008 with a background in Med/Surg and Oncology. She has held many positions throughout my career including management and leadership. Laura obtained her MSN in nursing education in 2018. Since then, she has worked as a bedside educator with both experienced staff and nurse residency with specialties in end of life and mentorship. She is currently working as an NPD practitioner for oncology and bone marrow transplant units.
Neil H. Johnson, RN, BSN, CMSRN, is a native New Yorker that has settled in North Carolina for the last 24 years. He has worked his way up the Nursing ladder from a C.N.A to achieving his BSN, and is in pursuit of his MSN in Nurse Education. He has worked in Oncology, Palliative, Behavioral Health, but his heart always brings him back to Medical-Surgical Nursing, where he holds his certification.He is currently a FLEX pool Med/Surg night nurse for Moses Cone Hospital System, floating to 4 facilities.
Chelsea Parker RN, BSN, CMSRN was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Since then she has pursued geriatric and palliative care nursing and developed a love for general medicine, which is where her foundation for med-surg nursing was built. As a young nurse looking for ways to bridge engagement between generations of nurses, she is excited about what this podcast will mean for AMSN.
Maritess M. Quinto, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN is a Clinical Educator currently leading a team of educators who is passionately helping healthcare colleagues, especially newly graduate nurses. She was born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States with her family in Florida. Her family of seven (three girls and two boys with her husband who is also a Registered Nurse) loves to travel, especially to Disney World. She loves to share her experiences about parenting, travelling, and, of course, nursing!