If you are passionate about helping others and want to make a positive impact, going into a nursing role may be the right career path for you. While a profession in the nursing sector can be highly rewarding and fulfilling, unless you’re putting your own health and wellbeing first, you won’t be in the right frame of mind to perform your job correctly.
Whether you look into online pediatric nurse practitioner programs, or you would like to work with adults, here are 10 ways to keep your health and wellbeing in check during your time as a nursing student.
Have a Strong Support System
No matter what type of nursing degree you embark on, it’s vital that you have a strong support system around you. Having your friends and family around you to keep your spirits lifted can make all the difference, helping you to stay motivated and committed to your course. There may be obstacles and challenges along the way, so knowing you have people to turn to in your hour of need can reduce stress levels and keep you on track.
Stay Organized
From the moment you start your nursing degree, it’s vital that you have excellent organizational skills. Whether you choose to study online or at a land-based educational facility, keeping all your coursework and materials organized and in separate binders can be a big help. To ensure you meet deadlines, it’s important that you possess good time management skills. If you have papers strung out all over your desk, this can heighten stress levels and cause you to fall off track, so staying organized and in control is key.
Keep Active
During your time as a nursing student, understanding the importance of regular exercise and incorporating fitness into your day to day routine is essential. Regular exercise helps to improve your circulation and strengthen your heart, so factoring in 30 minutes out of your day for health and fitness can boost your productivity and keep you staying positive.
Have Time for Yourself
With a mountain of coursework, assignments, and deadlines to meet, finding some time for yourself can be difficult during your nursing degree. While you should be committed to your course, it’s important that you factor in some ‘me’ time too. Whether you use this time to call in on a friend, go for a walk, run a hot bath, or take up a hobby, creating a healthy balance between having fun and education is crucial.
Set Realistic Goals
To get the most out of your nursing degree, you will need to set realistic goals from the offset. Only you will know what you’re capable of, so instead of writing down a scroll of unattainable goals, choosing those that are easier to achieve will help keep you motivated and productive. As you fly through your modules, you will gain a greater sense of accomplishment as you tick off your goals. Having goals to work towards will boost your mindset and keep you focused and concentrated on your learning.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Throughout your nursing program, it’s important that you get a good night’s sleep. Being alert and productive are key components for success, so if you’re struggling to drift off at night, it’s likely that you will wake up feeling sluggish and fatigued. Whether you have classes to attend in person, or you’re learning from the comfort of your own home, getting good quality sleep is essential for achieving good grades. There are numerous tips that can aid sleep and ensure you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for learning.
Practice Meditation
If you’re the type of nursing student who’s prone to high stress levels, staying focused with your course can be easier said than done. When we get stressed, it can be difficult to concentrate, so you may benefit from practicing relaxation techniques like meditation. There are tons of health benefits that you can gain from meditation, such as improving your self-esteem and self-awareness, lowering anxiety and stress, as well as fostering kindness.
Follow a Balanced Diet
The diet that you follow during your nursing degree can be the difference between attaining good grades and struggling to pass. As a student, you may be prone to eating processed foods that give you an initial energy boost, however, this can be damaging in the long run and cause you to rely heavily on such foods to get you through the day. Following a balanced diet instead, packed with plenty of nutrients, vitamins and minerals will boost your health, protect you from certain types of diseases, as well as increase energy levels.
Cut Back on Other Commitments
If you are holding down a full-time job, have a large social network, and are studying at the same time, it can be hard to find the right balance between your commitments. To get the best grades possible, you will need to rearrange your schedule and cut back on other commitments that may be hindering your learning. Whether it’s by reducing your hours at work or canceling a lunch with a friend, you need to put your full focus and concentration into your education.
See a Doctor
For nursing students who have tried all the strategies listed above and are still struggling to stay on top of their degree, you may benefit from speaking to your doctor. Any concerns and worries that you have should be addressed with a healthcare professional, whose job it is to provide support and advice to help you stay on track. There is no shame in speaking to a doctor about your mental health, so plucking up the courage to make an appointment is the first stepping stone towards improving your health and wellbeing.
Alongside helping others and being in a position of power, a career in nursing can offer diverse opportunities and increase your earning potential. If you’ve decided that a nursing role is right for you, all the advice above can help keep you on track with your learning and ensure you achieve the best grades possible.
