evidence & practice / revalidation
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REFLECTIVE ACCOUNT
Practising mindfulness A CPD article improved Irene Gilsenan’s knowledge of how mindfulness can assist nurses in providing compassionate care What was the nature of the CPD activity, practice-related feedback and/or event and/or experience in your practice? The article examined the use of mindfulness techniques and how by learning to care for themselves, nurses can enhance the care they provide for patients. The concept of mindfulness has had widespread publicity,
This reflective account is based on NS877 Barratt C (2017) Exploring how mindfulness and self-compassion can enhance compassionate care. Nursing Standard. 31, 21, 55-62
These questions are the same as those on the NMC templates that UK nurses and midwives must use for revalidation
£50 The authors of reflective accounts that are published in Nursing Standard receive a £50 book token.
from meditation courses to adult colouring books, but I wanted to learn how mindfulness can be applied to nursing. What did you learn from the CPD activity, feedback and/ or event and/or experience in your practice? It was interesting to read about the evidence for mindfulness in nursing. While large-scale randomised controlled trials may not be undertaken in this area, it was nevertheless informative to read about projects that have used mindfulness to reduce stress and increase nurses’ resilience. The article discussed the concept of self-compassion and examined how practising mindfulness can assist nurses in examining their feelings. Nurses need to ensure that they support themselves so that they have the energy and resources to care for patients. Having recently attended mindfulness sessions
supported by the hospital chaplain, the article’s time out activities reminded me that mindfulness techniques can be practised at home and at work. Reflecting on routine daily activities such as walking, eating and washing up, for example, can assist nurses to focus ‘on the moment’ rather than rushing ahead to the next task. The article also identified the challenges of practising mindfulness and provided tips on maintaining the thread of mindful thought and ignoring distraction. As a balance, the article also discussed how mindfulness may not help some people,
resulting in negative cycles of thought that involve self-recrimination and self-accusation. How did you change or improve your practice? Having occasionally been someone who thinks ahead rather than living in the moment, I felt the article provided me with useful skills in taking time out and reflecting on the task I’m engaged in or undertaking. This has made me more effective at work. It is important to give patients and their families your full attention, regardless of what is taking place around you. Although this is
Write your own reflective account
You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 54 for this week’s article. To write a reflective account for Nursing Standard, use the NMC reflective accounts form available here: revalidation.nmc.org.uk/ download-resources/forms-and-templates Complete the four questions about the CPD article you have just read, writing about 800 words in total. Details of how to submit your reflective account are available at: rcni.com/reflective-account
nursingstandard.com 64Downloaded / 16 Augustfrom 2017 RCNi.com / volume 31 51 bynumber ${individualUser.displayName} on Aug 22, 2017. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
Revalidation Find out more at: revalidation.nursingstandard.com
How is this relevant to the Code? Select one or more themes: Prioritise people, Practise effectively, Preserve safety, Promote professionalism and trust The article reflects the theme of practising effectively, because being mindful of one’s own needs allows the individual to provide compassionate care, which benefits patients. The theme of prioritising people is also relevant, because any nurse who practises mindfulness will be better equipped to listen to and respond to patients. Irene Gilsenan is a practice development coordinator (evidence-based practice) at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield
PATIENT VIEW
Diabetes nurse Sian’s care for her patients radiates from her Senior diabetes nurse Sian Bodman has boundless empathy for her patients and is one of a kind says Lynne Lewis I meet many people through my health condition and they always talk about senior diabetes nurse Sian Bodman with high regard. Reputations are important, especially in the valley community where I live. Sian, who works for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, champions diabetes care in Gwent and beyond. She makes people feel safe. She knows her patients, understands their nearest and dearest and supports them to adjust their lives to manage their condition. Sian helps patients to access information and works doggedly to structure the best sustainable care plan.
Respect and advice
Sian’s care for people radiates from her. Patients respect her not only for her expertise, but because she never judges them, even when they are struggling to grasp advice and follow it as planned. She makes every patient feel ‘we are in it together’ while supporting them to manage their diabetes themselves. There was significant resistance to expanding a model of community diabetes care that Sian developed, but the value of the way things were done under her leadership was eventually recognised and it has now been shared across the whole health board. Somehow Sian has managed to lead this, train a team to take on her role in the community and
still find time to keep that essential connection with her patients.
Life lessons in care
Sian’s belief that diabetes care begins with structured education is so right. The education she provides is so much more than a course of instructions – it is life lessons in care. It demonstrates her helpful nature as well as her expertise. It also shows her ability to identify where help is needed. Her professionalism is always evident and she provides support with empathy. Mindful of the needs of carers and family, Sian ensures they also understand the patient’s goals and care plan. She also makes great efforts to interpret for patients and ensures that explanations are suitable and can meet their needs. So often I hear people say ‘if we could only clone Sian’, but she really is one of a kind. Jon Rowley
challenging on a busy ward or unit, mindfulness can assist the nurse to focus on and maintain a compassionate approach to care. The mindfulness stages outlined in the article, namely: step back; recognise what is important; develop acceptance; and let go of what is not important, may be applied to nursing tasks and they assisted me to identify where my time could be used productively. Reading the article enabled me to realise mindfulness is not a selfish act; rather it is a valid method of coping. Developing mindfulness and self-compassion can be challenging at times, but they allowed me to recognise I need to care for myself if I am to care for others.
Lynne Lewis, left, with senior diabetes nurse Sian Bodman
nursingstandard.com volume number 51 / uses 16 August 2017 / 65 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Aug 22, 2017. For personal use31only. No other without permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
iStock
REFLECTIVE ACCOUNT
Practising mindfulness A CPD article improved Irene Gilsenan’s knowledge of how mindfulness can assist nurses in providing compassionate care What was the nature of the CPD activity, practice-related feedback and/or event and/or experience in your practice? The article examined the use of mindfulness techniques and how by learning to care for themselves, nurses can enhance the care they provide for patients. The concept of mindfulness has had widespread publicity,
This reflective account is based on NS877 Barratt C (2017) Exploring how mindfulness and self-compassion can enhance compassionate care. Nursing Standard. 31, 21, 55-62
These questions are the same as those on the NMC templates that UK nurses and midwives must use for revalidation
£50 The authors of reflective accounts that are published in Nursing Standard receive a £50 book token.
from meditation courses to adult colouring books, but I wanted to learn how mindfulness can be applied to nursing. What did you learn from the CPD activity, feedback and/ or event and/or experience in your practice? It was interesting to read about the evidence for mindfulness in nursing. While large-scale randomised controlled trials may not be undertaken in this area, it was nevertheless informative to read about projects that have used mindfulness to reduce stress and increase nurses’ resilience. The article discussed the concept of self-compassion and examined how practising mindfulness can assist nurses in examining their feelings. Nurses need to ensure that they support themselves so that they have the energy and resources to care for patients. Having recently attended mindfulness sessions
supported by the hospital chaplain, the article’s time out activities reminded me that mindfulness techniques can be practised at home and at work. Reflecting on routine daily activities such as walking, eating and washing up, for example, can assist nurses to focus ‘on the moment’ rather than rushing ahead to the next task. The article also identified the challenges of practising mindfulness and provided tips on maintaining the thread of mindful thought and ignoring distraction. As a balance, the article also discussed how mindfulness may not help some people,
resulting in negative cycles of thought that involve self-recrimination and self-accusation. How did you change or improve your practice? Having occasionally been someone who thinks ahead rather than living in the moment, I felt the article provided me with useful skills in taking time out and reflecting on the task I’m engaged in or undertaking. This has made me more effective at work. It is important to give patients and their families your full attention, regardless of what is taking place around you. Although this is
Write your own reflective account
You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 54 for this week’s article. To write a reflective account for Nursing Standard, use the NMC reflective accounts form available here: revalidation.nmc.org.uk/ download-resources/forms-and-templates Complete the four questions about the CPD article you have just read, writing about 800 words in total. Details of how to submit your reflective account are available at: rcni.com/reflective-account
nursingstandard.com 64Downloaded / 16 Augustfrom 2017 RCNi.com / volume 31 51 bynumber ${individualUser.displayName} on Aug 22, 2017. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
Revalidation Find out more at: revalidation.nursingstandard.com
How is this relevant to the Code? Select one or more themes: Prioritise people, Practise effectively, Preserve safety, Promote professionalism and trust The article reflects the theme of practising effectively, because being mindful of one’s own needs allows the individual to provide compassionate care, which benefits patients. The theme of prioritising people is also relevant, because any nurse who practises mindfulness will be better equipped to listen to and respond to patients. Irene Gilsenan is a practice development coordinator (evidence-based practice) at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield
PATIENT VIEW
Diabetes nurse Sian’s care for her patients radiates from her Senior diabetes nurse Sian Bodman has boundless empathy for her patients and is one of a kind says Lynne Lewis I meet many people through my health condition and they always talk about senior diabetes nurse Sian Bodman with high regard. Reputations are important, especially in the valley community where I live. Sian, who works for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, champions diabetes care in Gwent and beyond. She makes people feel safe. She knows her patients, understands their nearest and dearest and supports them to adjust their lives to manage their condition. Sian helps patients to access information and works doggedly to structure the best sustainable care plan.
Respect and advice
Sian’s care for people radiates from her. Patients respect her not only for her expertise, but because she never judges them, even when they are struggling to grasp advice and follow it as planned. She makes every patient feel ‘we are in it together’ while supporting them to manage their diabetes themselves. There was significant resistance to expanding a model of community diabetes care that Sian developed, but the value of the way things were done under her leadership was eventually recognised and it has now been shared across the whole health board. Somehow Sian has managed to lead this, train a team to take on her role in the community and
still find time to keep that essential connection with her patients.
Life lessons in care
Sian’s belief that diabetes care begins with structured education is so right. The education she provides is so much more than a course of instructions – it is life lessons in care. It demonstrates her helpful nature as well as her expertise. It also shows her ability to identify where help is needed. Her professionalism is always evident and she provides support with empathy. Mindful of the needs of carers and family, Sian ensures they also understand the patient’s goals and care plan. She also makes great efforts to interpret for patients and ensures that explanations are suitable and can meet their needs. So often I hear people say ‘if we could only clone Sian’, but she really is one of a kind. Jon Rowley
challenging on a busy ward or unit, mindfulness can assist the nurse to focus on and maintain a compassionate approach to care. The mindfulness stages outlined in the article, namely: step back; recognise what is important; develop acceptance; and let go of what is not important, may be applied to nursing tasks and they assisted me to identify where my time could be used productively. Reading the article enabled me to realise mindfulness is not a selfish act; rather it is a valid method of coping. Developing mindfulness and self-compassion can be challenging at times, but they allowed me to recognise I need to care for myself if I am to care for others.
Lynne Lewis, left, with senior diabetes nurse Sian Bodman
nursingstandard.com volume number 51 / uses 16 August 2017 / 65 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Aug 22, 2017. For personal use31only. No other without permission. Copyright © 2017 RCN Publishing Company Ltd
