Burnout happens when you’re not getting enough rest, you’ve lost your zest for work and life, and you’re just not happy with what you are doing. This feeling is something many nurses experience, with all the crazy shifts, missing their families, and having no time for themselves. If there’s anything that can help us all overcome this feeling, it’s finding the resiliency to thrive despite our circumstances.
Joining us today is my friend, Kelly West. She has been a registered nurse for over 23 years, primarily working in pediatric oncology, caring for kids with cancer. As an educator, clinician, mentor, and entrepreneur, she aims to support caregivers in conquering burnout and overwhelm.
Tune in to the show to discover valuable insights about coping with burnout, building resilience, and navigating menopause. Learn how to thrive in the face of life’s challenges and prioritize your well-being. Kelly and I also talk about tips to gain resiliency, so make sure you tune in!
Let’s go through a brief rundown of this episode:
(01:47) Kelly always knew that she wanted to be a pediatric nurse. She believes she didn’t choose pediatric oncology; instead, it chose her.
(03:32) It’s not only the parents but also the nurses who experience struggles and burnout when caring for children who have cancer.
(05:00) What is burnout?
(06:17) The feeling of moral compromise: business is taking over medicine, and insurance companies are mostly for-profit so people in the health care system start to lose their humanity.
(09:11) Nurses play a role just as crucial as doctors.
(10:46) Kelly coaches her clients about resiliency. Being resilient does not only mean bouncing back from a challenging and traumatic experience but also thriving beyond that circumstance.
(13:22) A nurse helps alleviate parents’ fears and anxieties by answering their questions and educating them about their child’s situation.
(16:50) Menopause spells many changes, whether physical or emotional, in a woman’s life, and it is essential to stay resilient and keep on thriving; let go of the outcomes.
(20:25) Being tired and sleep-deprived makes it hard to bounce back from challenges, so finding time to take a break and rest can help us become more resilient.
(22:48) Activities like meditation and doodling are some of the tools you can use to exercise mindfulness and combat overwhelm.
Struggles, challenges, and traumas come to all of us in different ways, but having resiliency will get us past the curveballs that life throws at us. It’s freeing—that’s the feeling you get when you’re resilient, and you stop fixating on these traumas. Thrive, love your life, and live it with purpose.
To get in touch with Kelly, you can check her website. You can also connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
For more help and guidance on healthy living in your menopause years, visit my website: www.menopausemovement.com
Follow me on Facebook at Dr. Michelle Gordon.
Thank you for tuning in, and I’ll see you in the next episode!