Emergency nurses: look after yourselves and each other this winter
Many nurses in urgent and emergency care have a growing sense of anxiety and fear about the winter pressures they will face and reports from Australia show that flu is likely to be another challenge to face. This, on top of corridor care, staff shortages and financial issues will compound the pressures in emergency departments. Self-care is important to ensure nursing staff deliver the best possible care when facing heightened challenges. Make sure you get adequate rest, good nutrition, emotional support and take any opportunities to recharge
As winter and its emergency department pressures draw near, nursing staff need to invest time in their own self-care and support others through the challenges
As we head towards winter, many nurses in urgent and emergency care have a growing sense of anxiety and fear about what we will face. Looking at winter in Australia we know that flu is likely to be a challenge in the UK, in addition to the usual circulating illnesses.
There are also now policies in place to support ambulances leaving patients in emergency departments (EDs), already at capacity, to allow them to return to community calls. This, on top of corridor care, staff shortages and financial issues will compound the pressures EDs are likely to face.
‘Self-care is not selfish, it is a responsibility we owe to ourselves, our loved ones, our patients and our colleagues’
Despite these challenges, our shared goal remains the same: to provide the best possible care for our patients. To achieve this, we must first look after ourselves.
Self-care is important so that we can provide the best possible care for others
That means ensuring we get adequate rest, good nutrition, emotional support, and opportunities to recharge. Self-care is not selfish, it is a responsibility we owe to ourselves, our loved ones, our patients and our colleagues.
The small stuff matters and can make a huge difference – keeping hydrated on the go, eating healthy foods and getting fresh air when on break. Where taking statutory breaks seems impossible, it should be escalated to managers.
Talking to friends and colleagues about the stresses and strains of life in and out of work is important and stops you feeling alone. No one should ever hesitate to ask for help.
From an infection prevention and control perspective we need to protect ourselves and others by considering taking up vaccinations on offer and ensuring we all have access to the appropriate PPE.
Support one another, remind each other to take breaks and step outside for air
The challenges we are facing are real, and they are heavy. But every shift can remind us of something else, too: that we are stronger than the storm.
We are the ones who hold the line. We are the ones who find compassion in the corridor, skill in the chaos, and humanity when the system feels inhumane.
This winter let’s promise each other this: we will look after ourselves as fiercely as we look after our patients. We will support one another, remind each other to take that break, to step outside for air. And we will keep faith that what we do matters, because it does.
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