How to stay healthy as a nurse???

[chrissy4985]

Hey guys. I'm relatively new to the site. So far I think the information and tips are great. I do have question. I will be attending college in the Spring for my degree in nursing and one of the thoughts that ran through my head was getting sick. Now don't get me wrong, I know that in a field where you constantly take care of sick people, you are bound to get sick. However, I'm just curious as to some regimens or best practices current nurses use in order to decrease the frequency of illness. Since there are so many hours of work, I would think there is less time to eat and stay as well nourished as you would like, so do you use vitamins and herbs to help? Or any other best practices, besides constantly washing your hands? Thanks in advance! :-)

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

Daily multi vitamin.

Adequate sleep.

Healthy diet.

Exercise.

I'm in my sophomore year now, and haven't gotten sick- not even once. (Knock on wood)

Definitely have not had adequate sleep on a daily basis, but I try to even it out weekly

[SwansonRN]

I think you'll be surprised at how little you get sick from work. I caught a GI bug once the 6 months I was in an infectious disease unit. I mean, everyone's different, of course. You should be following standard precautions and using appropriate PPE when needed.

[RNperdiem, RN]

It isn't usually the contagious illness that befall us, it is other things. I will add to the above list for nurse self care:

Use proper body mechanics and don't overestimate what you are capable of. Back problems become chronic.

Protect your feet. Get rid of all shoes that hurt. This is a job where you stand for hours.

Protect time for the hobbies and practices and people that help you reduce stress.

[MauraRN]

Drink water and pee every few hours. Wash hands a lot, don't rely on just Purell. Good multi vitamin/mineral, in cold and flu season consider tinctures of echinecea and astragulus for increased immunity.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Rest, relax, drink plenty of water, and WASH your hands. I next to never catch anything from my patients. I did catch a few colds when I first started, but now have the immunity of a rock star.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Some of these steps should be common sense, but. . .

1. Take a daily shower.

2. Try to adhere to a healthy diet. Resist the temptation to overeat or undereat.

3. Obtain regular exercise.

4. Wash your hands.

5. Stay hydrated.

6. Get seven to eight hours of restful sleep per 24 hours.

7. Use your knees when lifting. Get help when the patient or object is too heavy.

8. Maintain a somewhat interesting life outside the workplace.

I've been a nurse for nearly 8 years and seldom (if ever) get sick. Constant exposure to nasty microbes and sick people will boost your immunity like nothing else.

[chrissy4985]

Great tips. Will defintely use. Thanks a bunch :-)