January 12 2021
Written by Jacqueline Ludwig, BSN, RN, Gynecologic Research Coordinator
Women's Health Institute - Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, Ohio
Being a cancer research nurse can be tough, add a global pandemic to the mix and our days can be downright depressing. Not only are there challenges in enrolling patients to our trials, but we have had to work harder than ever to keep our patients as safe as possible. It can be easy to feel angry, upset, and frustrated. Despite all this, my team and I have encouraged one another to stay positive—both for ourselves and our patients.
Smiling- through your eyes and your voice
Nowadays, seeing a mask instead of a face has become more or less the norm. We have had new residents, fellows, and nurses join our practice, and we still have yet to even know what they look like!
As someone who loves to smile, I have found masks to be strongly depersonalizing to my patient interactions. This led me to learn how to smile without being seen. Smiling with your voice, eyes, and eyebrows is more than doable, and it is something patients can notice right away.
Recently, our art therapist made buttons for the staff that read, "I am smiling under this mask,” much to the humor of every patient that reads it.
Working remotely with a team and staying positive
Our team misses each other! We have a limited number of people in the office on any given day, making it almost a year since we have all worked together in person. So, how have we kept our contact? When having a group meeting, make it a rule to keep webcams on. People have their excuses—the kids, the cats, the spouse—but the reality is that people want to see you as a human being! They want to see that we are all in this together.
Be grateful for what we have
This year has been tough on families, many of whom have loved ones still fighting cancer and feeling more isolated than ever. In these circumstances, being a healthcare provider can be draining. Not only are you caring for patients, but you are bombarded with questions from family and friends such as, "Are you going to get the vaccine?" or "Is it as bad as the media says it is?" or even, “Wait, you actually believe in the Pandemic?”
Now more than ever, we need to take care of ourselves. Get up and move, make time to exercise, go on a walk, and meditate. Mediation apps are in abundance, and they can be accessed right from your phone. Give yourself time and do a "gratitude mediation" for 10 minutes a day to focus on some positive thoughts.
Some app suggestions include: Insight Timer, Headspace, Calm app.
Treat yourself
You deserve it! Buy a little treat, something that brings you happiness. Perhaps it’s a candle with your favorite scent, a little plant to put on display, or a painting project that you can work on to unwind after a long day. Even better, buy something for a coworker too!
Stay in control of what you can
Are you a person of faith? Focus on what you believe in — a daily devotional is a great place to start. Miss your loved ones? Schedule a Zoom meet up every with friends and family who live out of town. Enjoy traveling? Check out "windows from around the world on WindowSwap. Plan your next vacation, even if you do not have the time right now. A 2014 study by Cornell University showed that simply planning a vacation can be as enjoyable as taking one.
If the year 2020 has taught us anything, it is the importance of seizing the present while we are still in good health. Tomorrow is not promised. Take care of yourself—if you don’t, then you won’t be able to take the best care of others!