Making a Difference.

                                          

 

I am a strong believer in positive thoughts, words, deeds and actions.

Like the most humblest of people Mahatma Gandhi's very core was about values, beliefs and truth.

I believe that these values have an ability to impact on a situation, to offer a supportive hand, to simplify overwhelming episodes and experiences and support the learning process.

Equally I believe that I am honoured to work in a profession that allows me a small but intimate window into family life, sometimes during immeasurable heartache and pain, but equally at times of joy and relief.

 

During this last week, I have been what some might call a "steady hand" both for my colleagues at work, but also some families I have been fortunate enough to have met and supported ,but not necessarily for myself.

 

At times I have had to process lots of information and emotion in a very short time and with little breaks in-between to work with another family, child and young person.

I realise that we all do this on a daily basis- in many walks of life and work- so I wondered

- if I am struggling with this, if I take a few steps back, how much of a struggle and difficult road must it be to walk when you are a child, or young person, family member or student nurse?

The 6C's of nursing are...... Care, Compassion ,Competence, Communication, Courage, Commitment.

So as I try to make a difference, and be a supportive presence, I never forget why I do what I do and how, I thought about some of the words I have used this week, of the moments in time when I have sat with a child, or a nurse, a family member, a colleague, and how could I share this on a larger platform.

Time, support, care, understanding, respect, journey, process, courage- just some of the words I have said and heard this week.

 

A note to myself- I should never under-estimate the impact this work has on you, the individual, and the experiences of a family, how they share, how they educate, and how they touch your inner core.

As HCP's we are not in a position to call on a superhero with a protective shield when the going gets tough.( even though we might like to- but equally those superhero's are not always there for families either)

 

So here are my Top 6 ~ #SSC ( Sian's steps to self care)

 

 

1. Take a moment to regulate your breathing- this will help you deal with the next part of the journey you take with a child, young person and their family.

2. Give yourself a break- you are human- and in order to support and show empathy and compassion standing back for 5 or 10 min's will allow you to recognise sometimes the enormity of the situation in front of you- and seek advice from your peers.

 

3. Please don't feel you are alone in this journey.

 

4. A process diary is a really good way of getting all of the "tough stuff" we deal with out and down on paper- it can help to make things clearer- and can be helpful in understanding this complicated episode, and enhance your learning and impact your experiences- if this is to difficult, find someone who can sit alongside you.

 

5. Try and see some daylight/sunshine each day- even if it means walking the long way round to the car/ toilet/restaurant/shop/path lab/pharmacy - you get the idea!

 

6. Remind your colleagues and peers to do steps 1-6!!

 

 

 

Sian Spencer-Little