Attitude of Gratitude
Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Do you even know what one is?
To be successful in your nursing practice, you have to be grateful for what you have. By no means am I saying that if you have a positive attitude that your life will be perfect. But it certainly does help make things better.
Are you complaining that you don’t have enough staff to complete all your work? Are you frustrated in having to work all the weekends and holidays? Are you bothered about having to work more non-nursing tasks and having less support?
If any of these thoughts are going through your head, then that exactly is the reality that you are creating. Instead, try being grateful for what you do have. What have you got to lose?
The knowledge, the skills and the ability that show you to be an outstanding nurse providing the best patient care. If you approach your practice from being grateful for all that you do have, then you will create more of what you have.
Rather than thinking that you need more staff to do a good job or that you don’t have enough time to do everything that’s needed for your patients, shift your thinking to “I am grateful that I have a job.” “I’m grateful that I do have wonderful patients to take care of.” “I am grateful for having competent co-workers.”
Now, I’m not saying this is a “magic positivity pill,” but it can’t hurt and what’s the worth? Your patients and your co-workers will see that you are much happier. When nurses are more content, it does affect patient care. When nursing satisfaction is high, studies have that it does improve care. One technique I have used to help catch myself when I have a negative thought go through my head is to wear a rubber band on my wrist and snap it when I have a negative thought. It hurts! But it really helps. Another idea if your unit is all in on this is when someone complains, they have to put a dollar in the complaint jar! This week, think about when you complain and shift your thinking to the positive and let me know the results! No complaints please!
