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Healthy School Nurse Role Models

By Christine Tuck, MS, RN, NCSN-E, BSN posted 03-31-2014 11:34

  

Healthy School Nurse Role Models
Honor School Nurse Day by Caring for Ourselves

Should school nurses and other healthcare professionals be role models for healthy living and be held to a higher standard of healthy behavior than the general public?  Whether we believe we are or aren’t role models for a healthy lifestyle, the simple truth is that many of our students and staff do expect us to “lead by example.”

The American Nurses Association defines a healthy nurse as one who “actively focuses on creating and maintaining a balance and synergy of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, personal and professional well-being,” and who “lives life to the fullest capacity, across the wellness/illness continuum, as they become stronger role models, advocates, and educators, personally, for their families, their communities and work environments, and ultimately for their patients.”

"It’s all about making gradual changes in our lifestyle choices."

School nurses face the same health and wellness issues as the general public, which may include sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition choices, tobacco/alcohol use, and stress. School nurses also face unique stressors, such as compassion fatigue, long working hours, infectious disease, isolation, large student/staff client base, and burn-out, just to name a few. We too, are only human, and therefore may not be “walking the walk that we talk,” to be a healthy role model. We also understand that school nurses may face unpredictable health challenges.

Do you want to be a healthier person?

Having a “positive self-image” means incorporating a “healthy” body image into our lives. Society tends to admire women who are paper thin and men who are muscular. Instead we need to focus on being healthier and fit and not conforming to a societal norm. It’s all about making gradual changes in our lifestyle choices. We all need to really believe, “We are what we eat,” and “We are who we are from what we do!” Need I say more? Genes play an important role in our overall health, however, they do not influence what and when we eat, what kind of physical activity we participate in, and how much stress we bring into our lives.

"Healthy people are happy people . . ."

Healthy people are happy people, who miss less work, have fewer chronic and acute illnesses, and usually live longer productive lives, which can really be powerful motivation. In order to provide optimal care for out students and staff, we must first “safeguard” our own health and wellness. As school nurses we are always up for a challenge, so now is the time, and today is the day, to begin to improve our own health. We can become an advocate and leader, by example, as “healthy school nurse role models!”

Post and let us know how you will improve your own health this year!


References
HealthyNurseTM http://www.nursingworld.org/healthynurse

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06-02-2014 09:34

I enjoyed reading this post, and believe the most important lesson to remember is "it's all about making gradual changes in our lifestyle choices." We are role models to everyone in our community, especially the children we care for on a daily basis. Every small step we take in caring for ourselves has a great impact on our profession and the children we care for. My personal goal this spring has been to exercise for peace of mind, which has led me to a yoga class I do once a week with a few close friends. The community and the inner-peace this practice has brought to my life has improved my mental and emotional health greatly. Instead of running 3-4 miles or busting my butt with HIIT, I use this time to focus on my well-being not losing weight. When my mind is clear, my perception improves and I can focus on helping others to my greatest potential!

05-29-2014 11:17

The latest edition of the NASN School Nurse publication focused on the health and well being of school nurses. In January this year, I practiced a healthy living lifestyle incorporating an "eating clean" 28 day detox challenge along with personal training. I feel better, sleep better, know that my body is functioning better and most of all I lost weight. Yay! While many resist an eating clean diet, I promise you that after 28 days of the challenge your cravings will dissipate. Now I am on a 80/20 maintenance plan. Although I don't have the cravings I can still enjoy a cookie, slice of pizza, etc. on occasion. If anyone is interested please contact me, at 818-427-7567. Happy Healthy Summer!!
Whether nurses like it or not we are role models in the public eye, especially for children. My 35 year career as a nurse knowing I am a role model has encoraged me to live a healthy lifestyle, at home and at work. I have gone from hospital to just starting as a school nurse. I am in awe at how the staff and children hang onto my every word! If you live it then it is second nature to pass the knowledge on to your students, staff and family. I love working in the school system and wish more nurses would join me.