Nurses are known for accomplishing more in a day than most mere mortals do in a week. From the Spring 2011 issue of Scrubs, secrets from three multitalented, multitasking RNs–a triathlete, a volunteer and a deejay–on how they make being superhuman seem so simple.
ICU nurse and triathlete Kiersten Henry sets her own pace.
Three years ago, Kiersten Henry decided to start practicing what she preached. A cardiac nurse practitioner and member of the cardiac vascular team at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Md., Henry regularly coached her patients on how to ease into exercise, starting slowly with something that appealed to them. Having let her own workout routine lapse, Henry resumed running three days a week. Within a month, the former high school athlete had picked up the pace and started to train for a triathlon. “I’m very goal focused,” explains Henry, 34, who’s now competed in numerous races, including a half ironman. She likens training to nursing in more ways than one. “You come into your shift every day knowing your goals. Training for a competition is very similar.” As with each day on the floor, every workout requires an ability to constantly adjust expectations and goals according to reality, something the nurse–and mom!– learned long ago. Similarly, she says, “While there are days on duty that don’t go how you want, there are workouts and races like that, too. The best you can do is tough it out and know that the next day will be better.”
Sanity-Saving Strategies:
- Always have a goal in mind.
- Start small.
- Plan ahead by making a schedule.
- When the schedule doesn’t work, figure something else out.
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep.
- Always keep go-to food in the freezer.
- Take a moment to laugh each day with family and friends.
- Find ways to multitask.
- Ask for help.
For more Inspiration and Stories pick up the latest issue of Scrubs magazine, available at a retail store near you!
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