Mom, Nurse, and Corona - Balancing it All

When the coronavirus became a reality in our lives back in March, little did we know just how much things would change. Everyone’s lives were affected by this novel virus, but for those women who not only work, but work as nurses, and have young children as well, things really got shaken up.

All of our perfectly planned lives suddenly spun out of control so quickly that all we were left to do was throw up our hands and make the best of our situation, because it was either that, or the alternative, totally falling apart.

Here are two essential tips for a mom-nurse to not only survive this challenging situation, but to actually thrive and grow from it.

Maintain a Schedule

It is of utmost important to keep to a schedule even if your kids are home from school. Getting up at noon and lounging around in pajamas all day is not good for anyone. Everyone needs structure, but even more so children. They feel safe and secure knowing what is expected of them and feel a sense of purpose and contentment at the end of their day when they feel like they have accomplished something. Make sure they get up at a normal time each morning, eat breakfast, and log in to all their classes if they are doing remote learning. Try to keep a schedule as similar as possible to what it would be if they were actually attending school in person. In terms of your schedule that won’t change now, if anything you may have to be spending more time in your scrubs uniform these days. As hospitals around the world are filled to capacity, nurses are being called upon to work overtime to ensure that the hospitals can properly care for their patients.

Stay Calm

At this time when the virus has made so many sick, it is understandable if you are outright frightened to be stepping into a healthcare facility or hospital where germs abound. How can you go to your job each day without feeling fear? Focusing on keeping calm, while of course taking the proper protective measures to keep yourself and family safe are of utmost importance. Studies show that stress weakens your immune system, which will make you more likely to get sick. At this time, it is crucial that anyone working as a nurse keep their immune systems strong and healthy so that they can help others heal and return to health. With all the negative reports pouring in on the news, it may be a good idea to stop listening to the news all together at this time in order to help keep a positive frame of mind. It is also a good idea to try doing something relaxing each day to unwind and rejuvenate both physically and mentally. Small acts of self-care go a long way in your overall well-being.

Although things are slowly settling down around the world and we are getting used to this new normal, things are still far from the way things were a year ago. For example, this holiday season many families who have been spending the holidays together for decades may have to break their tradition due to health and travel issues related to the virus. Try to focus on the good and enjoy and savor the close-knit family time that we rarely get, with all the hecticness in our daily lives. The key is to keep looking at the positive in your lives and be grateful to be in the position of giving to others. Oh, and don’t forget to count your blessings, because when you do, they will continue to grow.