Compassion Fatigue: The Wake-Up Call That Started My Self-Care Journey In my first few years as a PICU nurse, I was full of passion and drive. I took pride in being the one people could count on by stepping up for the sickest patients, mentoring new staff, and leading when needed. But then I noticed […]
Explore self-care strategies to combat burnout and sustain joy in nursing. Discover why rest feels so hard and how to overcome it.
Why I Didn’t Take the Next Leadership Job When I left my role in nursing leadership, I assumed my sabbatical would be a temporary pause. I thought I’d take a break, rest up, and then step into another big role. Maybe a senior leadership position. Maybe travel nursing. Maybe returning full-time as a nurse practitioner. […]
When people hear the word sabbatical, one of the first questions that comes up is: But what would I even do with all that time? It’s a fair question. We are so conditioned to think in terms of productivity that even the idea of rest feels like something we need to “fill” with activity. Sabbaticals […]
Why I Needed This Trip In early August, it hit me: I never took a real summer vacation. How was that possible? I had traveled for family, hosted visitors, worked long shifts, but I never carved out days just for me. My body and mind were feeling it. I longed for braids, sunshine, and turquoise […]
Conquering the Biggest Obstacle to a Career Break Taking a sabbatical or career break can be an incredibly rewarding and rejuvenating experience, but for many people, the biggest obstacle is the fear of how they will pay everyday expenses. The idea of stepping away from a steady paycheck and benefits can be daunting, even if […]
Happy 2023 everyone! It’s been a while since I posted a blog but between the holidays and preparing for the New Year, life got hectic! I am sure you can share the sentiment. So it’s officially 1 year post-sabbatical, and things are great. I have never been happier and healthier mentally and physically. Of course, there are […]
Will was the first book that I read for the year. Nonfiction is one of my favorite genres as I love to read about people’s life stories, and this did not disappoint. The book shares Will Smith’s life as a child and how he viewed his father as a hero. He shares his perspective on […]
If you have been following me for a while now, you know that I think sabbaticals are amazing. Even though I just completed a 9 month sabbatical, I know there are a few more going to happen before I retire. Sabbaticals, a time to recharge, reset, and reinvigorate yourself can seem like a dream to most. As […]
Happy Nurse Practitioner Week to all of my fellow nurse practitioners. November is always an interesting month for me to reflect on my career as a Nurse Practitioner. I became certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner in November of 2008. A fun fact is that I have practiced as a nurse practitioner longer than I […]