The Relentless School Nurse: Does Your To-Do List Include You?

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is put yourself on your own to-do list.

Who else can relate?

All this talk about “putting on your own oxygen mask first” or “filling up your cup first” can feel very empty.

Especially when it’s not acknowledged HOW HARD it actually can be to put your own needs anywhere on a priority list.

It can be really difficult.

It can feel really uncomfortable emotionally to make space for your own needs.

You can be fearful of saying “no” to something and what people might think of you.

It’s not easy.

But it’s worth it.

You will show up better for all the things you care about when you can do it from a place of wholeness.

Or even just showing up from a place of being fed, showered, rested and emotionally stable will make things work more in your favor. (I’m looking at you moms and nurses😉)
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So I invite you today to do this one simple thing.

Put time on your schedule for lunch, breaks, and something you enjoy. Even if its 5 minutes at time. Decide when you are going to take care of yourself.

Small moments matter.
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It’s brave to prioritize yourself. It’s hard. It’s can be uncomfortable to start.

But nurses do hard things. All the time. And this hard thing is soooo worth it.

I’m cheering you on in the middle of the messiness of change.

 

As school nurses, we can get creative and use some fun strategies to make sure we prioritize self-care and include ourselves on our to-do lists. One great idea is to leverage technology, like smartwatches or apps, to send gentle reminders throughout the day. These reminders can nudge us to take a quick break, practice some deep breathing, or even do a few stretches. It’s a simple way to weave putting ourselves on our own to-do list into our busy schedules!

We can also embrace the idea of teaming up with a “To-do list buddy.” By pairing up with a colleague, we can use group chats or shared calendars to check in on each other’s well-being. Sharing tips, celebrating small wins, and encouraging one another to take those much-needed breaks can make self-care feel like a team effort!

Let’s not forget about “micro-self-care.” This means finding little moments throughout the day to do something nice for ourselves. We can keep a small toolkit of stress-relief items handy—whether it’s a calming essential oil, a stress ball, or a favorite playlist. Having these quick go-tos can make it easier to recharge during short breaks.

Making self-care a bit more fun can also help! We might consider setting up a personal self-care challenge or using apps that reward us for sticking to our self-care goals. Turning it into a game can make the whole process more enjoyable and motivating! 

We can also advocate for a supportive work environment that encourages self-care. This could mean suggesting the creation of cozy “recharge rooms” where we can relax for a few minutes or implementing a system that ensures everyone gets time for self-care during the day. When self-care becomes a part of our school culture, it’s easier for all of us to prioritize our own well-being.

By trying out these friendly and innovative strategies together, we can remember to take care of ourselves while continuing to do the amazing work we do for our students! I also recommend the brilliant work of Donna Gaffney and her book, Courageous Well-Being for Nurses.