Love Letters To A Nurses Soul: It's Just a JOB!

Dear Nurse,

 Today I sat here and repeated to myself it's just a job. Why? Because someone made me mad. They were very unprofessional despite my best efforts. But in truth I allowed them to make me mad as I control my destiny and reactions, and then  God remind me no matter how nice or unprofessional mean spirited or graceful the people we come in contact with in our profession we must remember it is just a job. People  come, go, get changed, and rearranged but my family my family is forever and that is more important to me then a JOB. 

The life growing inside of me is more important than telling someone off or putting them in their place. At the end of the day I  go home to a loving supportive family. Maybe they don't.I don't know but I hope they do. So today I remind you to do your job and do it well as you always have but at the end of the day remember you gave it your best and that's it. After all when we get to the pearly gates God's not going to ask how well you interacted with your coworker but He will want to know if you accepted his son in your heart.

Love,

 ~Kimberly 

(originally written 3/13/14)

Love Letters To A Nurses Soul: Called vs. Capable

Dear Nurse,

Last year I attended parts of the Women Living Well Conference online. In one of the videos your calling vs capabilities was discussed. Karen Ehman explained that we can be capable of many things in life but our time is better spent to doing what we are called to do. 

Regardless of your beliefs this is a universal principle. We as human beings are so fascinating; able to do amazing feats especially under pressure.Yet when we live our lives doing everything we end up doing nothing. I have struggled with this before and sometimes fall off the wagon. For instance, I love serving in church but in what capacity? I am truly a free spirit and like to step in when and where help is needed at a moments notice, not necessarily doing the same task on a regular bases.My husband is the opposite of me.You can see him week in and week out protecting the children that come to church on Sunday. Me on the other hand you might find praying for someone one Sunday right when they ask, recording the church's history through written words, holding a baby, or encouraging someone on Facebook. 

The point is neither way is better,just as my spouse and I are different so are we as nurses. Some Doctors, entrepreneurs, writers, actors, and speakers just to name a few. How we choose to live our lives are examples of the calling. What gets you going in the morning and you think about long after you should be asleep? That's what you are called to do! Focus on that and you can't go wrong. Also I must mention the need to compare. We are each fearfully and wonderfully made, no need to compare your journey to another. If we were all the same this world would be pretty damn boring. What are you called to do? What do you need to say no to although you are capable of doing it in order to fulfill your destiny? 

Love,

Kimberly


P.S. Today I'm doing a book event at my Alma Mater the University Of South Florida. In honor of this milestone I am offering you a special discount today only for my debut publication "What They Didn't Teach You Or I In Nursing School: Lesson Learned Outside The Classroom." Enter the code: 
D4VCP8ER when you order through my createspace online bookstore. You'll get the book for just $10.00 and enjoy a wealth of inspiring, encouraging,and practical information. Shipping and handling still apply. And remember when the clock strikes 12 this deal will no longer be valid.Thank you for your support and encouragement.

2013 The Year of Raqui

Every year before the new year starts I write down how I want the year to be. I firmly believe in the power of words. You can either speak life into or bring death over your situations. Anyways, this year I labeled as a rebirth as myself personally and professionally.

The year started off with a bang with guest post,connecting, and writing. Then tragedy struck me and my family and things seemed to be going good for awhile and then joy came in the form of a little baby but a few short weeks later death struck at our door again. And it was hard.. hard to pick up the pieces and not completely fall apart in the mist of our circumstances. But we held on to our faith and the promises of Jesus.  It was not easy.. losing a child but without my relationship with the Lord  I would not be writing you today. And then a crazy thing happened I published my first book and attended the NNBA conference. I connected with so many wonderful people and I actually was smiling and feeling like Kimberly again..Then I  was blessed with interviews in print and radio and now with hope/plans for much more in 2014. Reflecting on this past year has brought me peace as I have truly grown and  truly embraced myself This has caused me to loose some people along the way but that's ok because its part of growing and evolving into the person I want to be. Writing this has me a little teary eyed because of all that we've been through this year. I am truly grateful to you all my audience from Florida to Saudi Arabia. Around the world and back again. I could never nor did I ever imagine the words God gave me touching so many people. Thank you. Thank you for visiting, commenting, sharing, and purchasing. Without your support writing here would not be successful. Writing  has been therapeutic for me and I hope a blessing to you. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity and I can't wait to see what 2014 brings.

To a Blessed, Prosperous, and Happy New Year for you and your family!

~Kimberly

Congratulations!

Four years ago this very week on graduation day I stood in your very shoes. Where did four years go...man I'm getting sentimental. A lot has happened and I've grown so much. The biggest change is my confidence and competence in self.  And while I still have my moments... we all do I know I rock as a nurse and stand in that truth!

Four years ago the world was ahead of me and the nursing school adventure behind me. I felt free..a survivor of sorts and all around happy. But reflecting back I feel grateful. The road to writing you now has not been easy - I went from rejection,wait-listed, harassed, unappreciated to peace, purpose, and perseverance. For me my faith and relationship with the Jesus got me through. So today I'm writing all the graduates a letter. (I have a special place in my heart for the nursing graduates!)That I wish I had wrote myself...or if did I can't find it lol.

Dear Graduate,

 Today is your day! You have survived tests of paper, pen, and human experiences.You have risen at the crack of dawn and gone to sleep after midnight all to finish your care plan. Then got up the next morning to do it all over again, providing excellent compassionate patient care. You have been uncertain and fearful- lacked confidence but triumphed them all! By believing in yourself; gaining strength with each new experience.  You have stood up for the voiceless and made a difference.Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.  You have called the provider on the phone advocating for your patient. You have had open conversations with your preceptor understanding that they are human. Through it all you have preserved. Well done! Today celebrate your accomplishments and the fact no one can take your education away. In the days, months, and weeks ahead draw on what you are feeling currently as it will serve you when you are knee deep in guilt and self-loathing. 

You are a nurse at this very moment and although you may not have your license, right now you embody all the skills and characteristics you need. Yes there will be some obstacles, mistakes and growing pains along the way but you've got it! Congratulations and Happy Graduation Day. I'm proud of you and look forward to connecting with you soon.

 Take Care,

~Raqui

What advice do you have for the graduates today?

Holiday Rejuvination? No way!

I  must say I have met some awesome nurses online and in person. And Elizabeth is defiantly one of them! We have been collaborating with back and forth posts, radio, and guest collaborations. Below Elizabeth shares how to revamp your holidays. I love her practical and relatable advice that we can all easily incorporate in any holiday routine this season. Have a Happy Healthy Thanksgiving. ~Raqui :)

Nurses, 3 Ways to Rejuvenate Yourself and Your Health during the Holiday Season!

By Elizabeth Scala RN

Up here in Maryland with the chillier air, hats and jackets, and shorter days one thing is evident as I observe the hustle and bustle of my coworkers. The holiday season is upon us. And what does that mean? With the holidays, what usually comes hand-in-hand? You've got it:

Stress!

In fact I actually heard a woman in my office say: “Well, I looked at my calendar and I've only got three days to get this shopping done. If they (her grandchildren) don’t get me their lists soon- I guess they just don’t get what they want!”

Are you serious? Since when did the holidays become about going out, getting things off of a list, and not enjoying an ounce of the moment-to-moment joy?

As nurses we can also feel the holiday stress in another capacity:

On the job.

From lighter staffing due to holiday schedules to irritable patients who don’t want to be in the hospital for the holidays in the first place, nursing can be a demoralizing role during this time one wants to be most with family.

So what can we do about it? Because we know that nursing doesn't stop. The 24/7 care and compassion we share must go on. So how can we do it with a sense of joy and a hint of peace of mind?

 3 simple ways to rejuvenate yourself and your work during the holidays:

•        Get Creative. I’ll admit I was one of the saddest, most miserable nurses on my unit during holiday times. Being from NY and living in MD was tough as I missed my family and friends. Yet with the advancements in technology we don’t have to feel like we’re hundreds of miles apart. You can Skype, get on a Google Hangout, or find other creative ways to connect with family around the world. On top of that, tap into your artistic and childlike self. Go to a craft store and walk the aisles. Find something that brings out your holiday joy. Head home and turn on the holiday cheer while playfully creating your masterpiece.
•        Stay Healthy. The fastest way to feeling blue during the holiday hustle is a weak and compromised body. Body, mind, spirit, and emotion are all one. If you’re tired, poorly hydrated, or undernourished from nutrient weak foods you’re going to notice it in your emotions. Poor health equates to feelings of anxiety, sadness, and loneliness. Spruce up your health and enjoy an added benefit of some pep in your step as you walk into work to enjoy your patient care. 

•      Embrace Gratitude. This is the secret weapon behind all great rejuvenation. Our minds create our realities. What you experience outside in your environment is a mirror image of what you think and feel in your internal self. If you want a holiday filled with joy, peace, and love- it’s time to get grateful. Already practicing gratitude? A great way to up-level your routine is by, not only focusing on what you’re grateful for, but adding on a feeling. Here’s an example: Instead of ‘I’m grateful for my family’ you want to say something like: ‘I’m grateful for my family which makes me feel cheerful, safe, and full of love.’ 

Enjoy these simple strategies to rejuvenation and allow yourself to embrace your holidays this year and always. After all, happier staff makes for happier patients. Happier patients make for smoother work days. And I know we all want to enjoy our nursing work. Have a healthy and happy holiday everyone!

I’d love to hear how these tools worked for you, or if you have any others you’d like to add to the list. If you’re interested in finding out more, come visit me at www.livingsublimewellness.com. Sign up for my newsletter and receive my special gift, a 3-Part Video Series, “Here’s Time for Your Health”.

About the author:

Elizabeth “Coach” Scala, MSN/MBA, RN is passionate about helping healthcare professionals, nurses in particular, to embody holistic living and embrace self-care. Through her business, Living Sublime Wellness, she writes regularly on the topic of self-care, conducts wellness workshops, and offers both in-person and online seminars for busy nurses.

Elizabeth is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and holds Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master’s degrees in both Business and Nursing. Originally from Carmel, NY, she now lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and two dogs. Visit http://www.livingsublimewellness.com for more information.

NNBA Review

Last month I attended the National Nurses In Business Association Conference! This was my first major conference of this type and debut for me as an entrepreneur. I met a lot of wonderful people and made hopefully life long connections. I also enjoyed some down time too! As a first timer and one of the newest  attendees environment, connecting, and confirmation stood out to me.
 

Environment
 

In my opinion where you have a conference is just as important as who you have there and the #NNBA organizers understand that. We stayed at the lovely Orlando Area Embassy Suites fitted with spacious rooms made to order omelets, water feature, business center, and spa/pool to name a few amenities. Every night I slept in a wonderful bed and was impressed with the cleanliness of the facilities.  It made for a relaxing reflective environment. 

Connecting

As I said I met a lot of intriguing, fascinating, and like minded people with a can do entrepreneurial and business spirit. It was nice to be apart of ; meeting legends of the online nursing world I would probably never meet under normal circumstance. It was even more humbling that they were real down to earth people. We  laughed,hugged, and reflected together.  I also meet everyday heroes and that was a treat in itself. If nothing else I hope these connections continue as friendships with us growing and supporting each other  in every step.

Confirmation
 

While I learned a lot about the different business opportunities I got confirmation on what I was already doing by trusting my gut. In fact at one point I started writing down  the lessons I learned before the conference with the ones repeated  at the NNBA. Now I have a blue print on what areas to focus on so that I may have a growing and thriving business. 

 

Tips for Newbies

•   Prepare before the conference with business cards, flyers, and ideas. You never know who you will meet and what opportunities will come to you. 
• Talk to someone who has attended the conference before and/or knows someone who is attending. I did both and this helped me take a lot of the guess work out on how to best prepare for whatever opportunities were awaiting me.
• Relax..be yourself!!!! The authentic you is much better than a pretender.
• Network in a way that plays to your strengths. For me this meant talking to conference attendees one on one building connections. 

All in all this was a wonderful first conference experince and I would love to attend next year as a speaker:)

Take Care,

~ Raqui

Raqui Thursdays: Dreams Come True

Tomorrow I will be on Living Sublime Wellness Radio: my first of many radio shows and  I just have to pinch myself ! Is it possible all my dreams are coming true? My goal was to publish a great book and get it into as many nurses hands as possible. The ultimate prize? selling it at my nursing school. But this journey has become so much more! I have meet great- inspiring people on and offline, received acceptance and opportunities I couldn't have imagined. But I'm not surprised. Why?  Because I moved in the faith and knowledge that Gods got my back. He birthed these ideas in me and has blessed them to succeed. I am in awe. Thank You.

For someone who went from no hope to  talking on  a wide reaching radio show I want to encourage you. What are your dreams? Now act on them. Waiting to live, waiting for perfect...what are you waiting for? The time is now this very instant! Don't wait another second on the would of, could of, should of's  of life. Those you will touch are waiting for you. From rejection to acceptance, from working at my dream job to publishing my first book: my core family and friends have been through it all and I am thankful for them for keeping me grounded and  helping not to take myself so seriously. What dreams are in store for you ? Leave them in the comments below or email me.
I would love to hear from you.

Take Care,

~Raqui

Kindred Spirits

 We are not alone. On a day when when I arrived home searching, yes searching for things I could have done better or differently I read this post by my colleague Elizabeth Scala.  Before arriving home I had already decided  I was letting it go, resting in the arms of Jesus. As I sat outside gazing at our memorial plant watching it bloom before my eyes  it was an amazing sight! You see I have learned and written about Cutting The Balloon and not letting the work day take my joy or peace. The point is Elizabeth's' post gave name to what we all go through and provided tips that are very helpful. The only tip I would like to add is repetition.Practice becomes second nature. The more we practice treating ourselves right, recognizing when we are about to spiral, and not taking ourselves so seriously the more it comes naturally. We get one life. Our best is good enough and yes sometimes we will make mistakes or errors but that does not make us bad nurses. A great nurse is one who is not perfect but recognizes the need to improve . To all you nurses out there rest, reflect, and pat yourself on the back because you gave it all you had.

Take Care,

~Raqui

The Book IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Everybody,

 I pray you all had an awesome Monday. As you know for the last month or so I've been ghost, finishing up my first book: What They Didn't Teach You Or I In Nursing School: Lessons Learned Outside The Classroom. Very exciting! I attended the National Nurses Business in Association 2013 Conference this weekend and hope to post about my experience as a first time attendee next week.

I just want to say I am so thankful for all of you. My loyal readers. I would appreciate it if you help me spread the word about the book. I hope all is well and we defiantly have to catch up soon. I will be buzzing around on and offline doing interviews; check out my first one here with Tina over at different types of nursing, posting book reviews, and radio? So cool. I hope you enjoy and show your support. When you buy the book or know someone who does send email me about your experience at raquiwardrn@gmail.com. I look forward to your feedback.

Take Care,

~Kimberly

Where's Raqui ?

Happy Tuesday!
I know it's been a while .. seems this is becoming theme lol. Anyways, thought I put to rest any rumors..imagined by me I might add :) that I'm done writing..since I have not been on here consistently.

While experiencing a personal tragedy I'm taking time to Take Care of my self - care needs. What good would I be to you if I didn't follow my own advice?

- While I'm "offline" here- I'll be on twitter @RaquiWard, Google +, Linked in


- Working on the Forthcoming book I've been talking about all year- What They Didn't Teach Your or I In Nursing School: Lessons Learned Outside The Classroom; for publication later this month. So excited. hope you enjoy it :)

Some lessons from the book include:

• Lesson #1- You Can Get Your Dream Job- I'm sure you've been told many times you can not, well I'm here to tell you why you can.

• Lesson #4 - Nursing Chooses You- You Don't Choose It!- This profession is not for the faint of heart or those seeking riches, fame, and adoration.  Although these may come you need to enter the profession with some realistic expectations

• Lesson # 9- Affirmation Comes From Home: The power of a good support network. Great nurses are made at home.

- And in addition expanding my freelance writing business. Contact me for any of your  freelance writing   needs. I specialize blog writing/content marketing in the areas of : women's health, public/community health, stress management, and health/wellness.

While we are on this break I hope your explore the blog as it is because next project after the book launch is moving this blog to a more hospitable environment where I have more freedom advertising wise to give you what you need, quality- not quantity. Connect with me on twitter @RaquiWard, leave me a comment here, or send me an email at raquiwardrn@gmail.com.  If you like what you see share , share, share, if it needs improvement tell me.

Take Care,

~ Raqui

Resurrecting Your Nursing Career

 By: Tina Lanciault RN

Are you feeling burnout, exhausted, overwhelmed or just don’t care about yourself or your patients?

Yes, unfortunately these feelings do exist at some point in a nurse’s career path.

Some nurses choose to get out of the professional all together and others stay in these unsatisfying jobs that leave them drained at the end of the day with nothing to give to themselves or their loved ones.

So what can nurses do? How can you resurrect your nursing career, reignite that feeling of excitement and ready for whatever the day had to offer? Remember your first nursing job, how motivated you were and couldn’t wait to get out there and help people.

It’s time to get those feeling back!

But knowing what direction to take in your nursing career can be challenging. There’s no chart or blueprint that maps it out for you. Only you can put the pieces together because every nurse will be different in what she has to offer.

So here are 3 tips for figuring this out.

First - Get very clear on what you have to offer. This means what are your skills, personality traits, your expertise, interests, knowledge and experiences. These all play a role in the kind of nursing job you should be choosing for yourself.

Second – Be aware of what you need from you work. This is where your personality traits, your values and interests come in. Don’t take a job that puts you into a work environment you really don’t want to be in. This is a sure way to burnout quickly.

Third – Learn as much as you can about your nursing career options. There are so many opportunities now for nurses that there should be no reason for any nurse to leave the profession. If you love technology and working with software programs then nursing informatics is for you. Or maybe you want to get into marketing and sales; you could work for a pharmaceutical company or medical equipment company.  Maybe you have an idea for a product or service that is needed in your area and you want to start a business, go for it! Becoming a nurse entrepreneur is one of the fastest growing career choices for nurses today.

Take some time, sit down and write out what you want out of your nursing career and include your personal life values into the big picture. What would be your ideal nursing job?

I believe once you get started brainstorming ideas for your nursing career you’ll become excited again, which is a great way to resurrect your joy of being a nurse.

Tina Lanciault RN helps other nurses find their niche in nursing by sharing her experiences, resources and insights about alternative nursing careers. Learn what opportunities are available to you at any stage of your nursing career @ http://differenttypesofnursing.com  

I'M Live:)

Hello everyone, Today I am very excited. Why you may ask? Because Tina Lanciault over at Exploring Alternative Nursing Careers gave me the opportunity of a lifetime; guest posting with the blog entitled Today You Are a Nurse!You can imagine how excited I was when yesterday night I received the email that my first guest post was live!!!!!! Can't thank her enough :) With new year excitement weaning I figured this post about what makes you a nurse could serve as some inspiration to you as well as me. Don't give up! Your clients are depending on you. Hope you enjoy it! While you're there check out Tina's amazing resources and posts about alternative nursing careers...I know it helped me!Also look out for a new series  on New Beginnings called Take Care!

Taking Care

Hello,

I have been meaning to write this post for awhile.. Taking care of yourself so that others can be taken care of. Throughout my career.. all 34 months of it. No one lesson has been more prevalent then taking care of yourself. We all know what we do is stressful and chaotic at times but even in the chaos we must preserve or we will go down with the ship. It is not helpful or even noble to sacrifice yourself for the good of the cause. I have seen and experienced too many tragedies, senseless mistakes, and overall mayhem ensue when caregivers overlook themselves. To be affective we must take care of ourselves; our loved ones, families, friends, and clients are depending on it. Even God  rested on the seventh day.

Tips I have learned:

• Arrive early so you do not leave late
• Always double the amount of time you think it is going to take to complete a task so then if you finish early you can tackle one of those 5 to 10 minute tasks.
• Under promise and over deliver
• Drink lots of fluids...Carry water at all times, once dehydrated your brain is not fully functioning. If you're thirsty it's already too late.
•  Rest and sleep.. go to bed early so you are well rested. When your brain is tired you make silly mistakes.
•  Eat! Do not skip lunch to catch up on work.. When you are hungry your brain is not getting the glucose you need to function optimally; so the work you are catching up on is going to take longer anyways. I know this one is hard, especially in the acute care setting, but trust me you will wish you had taken a few minutes to recharge instead of making that medication error.
• At lunch shut your mind off from work, tasks, and try not to talk about work at lunch. This is  your time to recuperate.
• Move.. walk..run.. jump. Move a little each day it is a  great way to stay healthy and relieve stress. Also gives you endorphins.
• Prep beforehand ; as much prep work as you can get done is helpful.
•  Be honest with your coworkers and yourself about what you need. Speak up! People treat you how you teach them to.
• The most important thing is to be proactive. No one cares about your well being as much as you do.

Week 2 of 3

This week my supervisor and another nurse I usually work with are on vacation.. so I am in charge but it feels like no one listens to me....I'm not asking too much but a little RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm giving them respect so I expect it in return. So anyways, I'm giving this situation to Jesus because there is nothing more I can do but let his love and peace abide in my heart and in the workplace. When you do not work as a team the patients suffer and that is the last thing I want. So this week pray, be strong and courageous in the Lord. Let his light shine yet be firm.

so You're the RN....

Well last week I learned a lot about myself.. and I think the title sums it up perfectly.. so you're the RN? Now that can mean many things to many different people, but for me this week it meant learning about the lab technicians job and how important it is to communicate as a team. I also did some phlebotomy work which I would like to look into as a side gig..who knows could help with the wedding/ student loans coming up..but none the less I learned a lot and made connections/ closer bonds with the lab staff and have a new appreciation for their knowledge, skills, and expertise.

So next time when asked or how ever it comes up so you're the RN? Reply why yes I am, how can I help you?...I know I am:)

WEEK 7

 I have officially been working in the role as Sr. RN on the Women's side of  a Maternal and Child Health clinic for 7 weeks now. It has had its challenges but this week gave me the renewal I needed.  Even though I have made mistakes, done things I'm not proud of ...I have done more good than bad. This week I got many hugs, thanks, and congratulations from the clients I serve. This embracing smartness thing is really working!! One client stated " wow you're so young and you know so much about family planning and what not." I guess passion shines! That really made my day Friday; because it just shows Gods favor.  This day I was  on my own, for the most part, but  I did not feel the pressure like I did the first time I was left to my own devices.... I was more confident, willing to take on a challenge, and I made sure when you stepped into my office , as a client you  felt like nothing else mattered and you got my undivided attention. I did not let on that I had charts out the wazoo to document on ,triage calls to return,  and the  "RN on call".  No I handle it with the strength of Jesus and focused on the tasks at hand.  this experience is making me a better and more confident nurse. To all my new nurses out there, there will be days when you want to cry and there will be days that your heart is filled with joy; but remember on the days that you cry joy is soon to follow and on the days you are filled with joy cherish each moment because new adventures and challenges await on the horizon.

My advice for this week is do not shy away from a challenge meet it head on and if you fail you fail and if you succeed you succeed but no matter what at least you tried. All HE is asking is for you to try!!!!!!!! The bible says in Isaiah 55:11( NKJ)- So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Disater Prepardness Nursing & RN License

Today, I went to this training for Disaster Preparedness Nursing. It was a good refresher...since I just got out of nursing school. Actually is was better than good ...it was awesome!!!!!  I was able to see some of my favorite professors and it proves I am right where God wants me to be; working when , where, and how God wants me too. Hope we can keep this up. What I really want to share is the importance of knowing/memorizing your license number.

It seems no matter where I go I need to know that number. .it's like knowing your SSN without it you don't exist, and without your licensure number nothing else matters because you never know when they will be offering those all-important CEU's; since I work for the Department of Health I think I'll be pretty much covered with CEU's and the beauty is they're free!!!!!! We all know just because you’re a nurse does not mean you’re rich ... you are paid well but you still need to budget your money wisely. This is something I'm working on. Starting with my first check. Bottom line: be prepared with your license number...you put a lot of effort into obtaining it! It is a represents your faith, effort, and commitment in this profession.