As a nurse’s aide, you are concerned with the well-being of your patients. You probably try to teach your patients the importance of self-care, but  do you remember to take the same suggestions for yourself?

If you are unhealthy or get injured, you won’t be able to care for your patients properly. So, don’t forget how important it is to take care of yourself. Whether it is preventative measures that decrease your chances of getting sick or just reducing the chances of an injury.  Make staying healthy a top priority, consider the following suggestions:

Always use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): How many pairs of gloves have made it into your washing machine?  Be aware if a patient is in isolation precautions and what kind of precautions need to be taken. Precautions may include contact, droplet or airborne. Always use appropriate PPE for the situation. Keep in mind; it’s important to use standard precautions with all patients even if they are not in isolation.

Wash your hands frequently: We all know how important frequent handwashing is, but it’s easy to do it too quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should lather up with soap and water and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Don’t forget to wash the back of your hands and in-between your fingers. Proper and frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent getting sick.

Consider getting your flu shot: Depending on where you work, flu shots may be mandatory. Even if they are not, you may want to consider getting one each year. The flu can have serious complications, such as pneumonia, sinus infections, and even sepsis. If you have asthma, diabetes or a cardiac condition, you are at a higher risk of complications. Even if you are otherwise healthy, the flu can leave you exhausted for weeks, which may mean lost wages. If you prefer not to get the flu shot, you may want to consider extra precautions during flu season to avoid getting sick, like wearing a mask and taking supplements.

Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep can be a challenge for some people. If you are a nurse’s aide that works the night shift, it may be even more difficult to get enough rest. But a lack of sleep can lower your immune system and make you more susceptible to infection.

Protect your back: As a nurse’ aide, you may be moving patients, bending over beds and lifting equipment, which all can lead to back injuries. In fact, back injuries are one of the most common reasons nurse’s aides go out on disability. Always protect you back. Use good body mechanics when lifting. Bend at the knees and use your legs to lift. Seek proper training and assistance. Many healthcare facilities have safe patient handling classes that get updated regularly and when new equipment comes into the facility. Use lifting devices as needed. Get help and don’t try to lift something by yourself that you know is too heavy. Take the few minutes to stretch your back, legs, arms and other muscles before and after your shift.

Don’t neglect your emotional well-being: Working in healthcare can be stressful. But it’s not just the physical demands that can be difficult. It’s the emotional challenges as well. Dealing with sick and injured patients and their family members can be draining. It’s common for nurse’s aides to suffer from burnout. Make sure you are creating a good work-life balance. Get regular exercise, which is a great stress reducer. Whether you go for a walk, listen to music or spend time with family, take time to relax and recharge. It may also benefit you to take advantage of your employers employee assistance program.

Let us know your questions and what you do to prevent injuries.  Also, let us know if there are any topics you would like to hear about in our blog, maybe we will include it in an upcoming post.

Posted in Southwestern Association of Certified Nursing Assistants