Feelings of uncertainty, fear and uneasiness are normal. Allow them to be present, feel them, and then let them go. Sometimes that is easier said than done, and sometimes you need a little bit of help to move through the difficulty. Everyone needs help sometimes!

Who better to ask for help than wise, compassionate, caring and brilliant Nurses and Nurse Coaches?

When asked the question, “You have so much wisdom, experience, and love. What would you share with those who need help?”

Nurses from across the country and globe chimed in to offer words and intention to alleviate suffering and help you remember you have the power to choose how you adjust and shift in your incredible life!

Here’s what they said…

Nurse Wisdom in Difficult Times

“Be kind and remember this too shall pass.” 

~KIM HOLDEN, RN

“If there is anything on your bucket list requiring long, arduous effort such as writing a book poetry, essays, short stories, running a marathon, riding your bike 400 miles or doing a century ride in the next four months, this is a perfect time to start the journey!   

I recently picked up a piece of cross stitch I had stopped working on for the past 4-5 years, and now I’m planning on finishing it.”

~HOLLY KAPUSINSKI, RN

“Feeling fear and anxiety is normal. Allow yourself to be with your emotions without pushing them away, stuffing them, or indulging them.

Also, even in this time of uncertainty, there is a lot you CAN control. It is the perfect time to focus on those things and deliberately decide how you want to show up in your life.

It is also the perfect time to keep teaching yourself how to let go of the things you can't control and you can give yourself the gift of space when you can start to drop those things (even if it means that you are like me and have to remember to drop it hundreds of times a day).”

~JODIE H.M DAVID, RN

“Take this time to journal.  It’s a rare occurrence, stressful and also introspective richness.  Think of how you will look back on it in a few years.”

~BARBIE PICCIANO CARANCI, RN

“NOW more than ever lets not separate ourselves as a profession lets connect and unite. Everyone is dealing with the virus in their own way and lets not judge ourselves or others for what how they are dealing. Listen, honor and hold space for love and unity.”

~DENISE ERVIN, RN

Rest, restore & rejuvenate.

“Rest, restore and rejuvenate.” 

~NIKKI E. AKPAREWA, RN

“I like to share tips on healthy eating and ways to incorporate physical activity in their daily lives😊.”

~WANDA JOHNSON, RN

“Don’t allow yourself to be derailed from self-care because of this dramatic change in your environment. You may alter how you do it but don’t quit.”

~KAREN ADAMS LAING, RN

Remember to practice self-compassion.

“Remember to practice self-compassion and probably not the best time to work on ‘self-improvement.” Put your oxygen mask on first before you help others. Sit outside for nature therapy.” 

~SUSAN RINKUS FARRELL, RN

“About a month ago, after a full day of hearing Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky speak on trauma and overwhelm, I took her challenge of waking up and saying 3 things I'm grateful for BEFORE looking at any electronics or media.

This has been such a beautiful practice, I've been sharing the suggestion with friends, family, clients and peers (including you all!).

Reminding clients, and each other, of the areas we have choice and control - our attitude, our intention, our interaction with social media and news - is a powerful practice.”

~LESLIE HERON, RN

Spend time in nature.

“Spend some time each day in nature. It can be with an indoor plant, taking a walk in your neighborhood and leaning up against a tree or near a river or a lake. Whatever is accessible. Then pause and rest in the beauty of your surroundings, a bird singing, the sun peeking through the clouds. Time in nature is restorative and lifts the spirit.”

~JACKIE LEVIN, RN

“Manage your mind.  Going into fear lowers your immune system.”

~LORIE BROWN, RN

Advocate for your community.

“1.   Strongly advocate for social distance in your community. Call your local media, call anyone who will listen and tell them to keep distance when shopping or other public places. I watched the local news last night and saw story after story of people infecting each other with close proximity. Pick up the phone and take action by calling the Mayor, your Senators, anyone who will listen!

2.   Encourage your clients, family, friends and community to take exceptional care of themselves.  Pull out all of the kitchen wisdom they have passed down from Grandmothers to stay well.

3.   Use your power as a nurse to stand on your soapbox and help folks understand we have just started with the massive wave of sickness coming our way. Right now, MANY are already infected and passing it along to others who are not being mindful. Don’t be one of them! We are needed now more than ever.

4.   Collate a list of trusted home remedies, herbal helpers or other basic nursing, self-care tips for thriving during this pandemic. Email it to everyone you know.

5.   Sow seeds now for much needed food, since our food chain is going to get more perturbed as people get sicker.

6.   Sew masks if you can. You will all need them.

7.   Use words like “let’s” “appreciation” and many others that bestow blessings in the form of elevated frequency.

8.   Call the vulnerable- including your family, old people and anyone who may be shut in. Loneliness and social isolation can also lower immunity. 🙏🏽”

~COURTNEY ALLEN-GENTRY, RN

“Remember we can choose to look at our fears and send them on with loving kindness and then step out of the emotion of fear, anger, or anxiety.

We can choose how to use our energy.

“Emotion is energy in motion and we can choose how to use our energy ... takes practice, not easy but totally doable.”

~DIANNA M. BLOM, RN

“I am also thinking about ways to show up for self and others in the midst of social distancing and fear. I know my tendency is to isolate, put my head down, endure...keep going...alone.

I have extended my reach and embraced a new learning curve around technology, growing edges learning to reach out, connecting with friend and family groups via zoom and teaching 5Rhythms to my already existing students via zoom.

Yesterday took part in an online healing circle hosted by Jackie, Denise, and Nicole and found comfort in listening and speaking in the virtual company of others.

At work I am pausing with 3-6 feet distance and listening and sharing a bit more with my co-workers, more attune to fully showing up in the moment where someone is just needing a moment of connection, offering presence more rather than "yes I have a minute hurry". More of an awareness and call to presence "all sorts".”

~JAYNE PETERSON, RN

“I'm using phone or FaceTime with clients to discuss their issues and always offer an awareness practice. I have a digital version (thanks, Daniel) of a peaceful meditation that I send to their phone to use as they want. 

~SUSAN CRAIG, RN

What we send energy to is what will manifest.

“I'm big on what we send energy to is what will manifest...so we need to keep being positive and send out positive love to all!” 

~MEGHAN STARK COSGROVE, RN

“This week I openly shared my vulnerability to the current health crisis by stating I cried for 30 min. I then shared an acronym I created for TEARS. In doing so I allowed others to see that we all experience fear, grief and sadness and that it's ok to cry.

The comments and feedback of others thanking me provided them an opportunity and platform to also share, knowing we are all in this together. This was just from my heart. Then I held the space for others to share and to support them. Stay safe, be well, be kind my friends.”

~CLAIRE D’ANDREA, RN

“Check in with fellow colleagues. Ask what is in their heart and ask them what is important to them- and what brings them joy.
Then listen to the answers and verbalize it aloud so they can hear it too! ❤️❤️ 

~NICOLE A. VIENNEAU, RN

It’s OK to pay attention to your needs.

“I want to share with my colleagues that it is okay to pay attention to your needs.

Take a moment to check in with your inner being and ask what it needs right now. Then take three long, slow inhales through the nose and out through the mouth.

Pause then check in with your inner being again. Acknowledge what it needs even if you can't do it at this moment. Smile inwardly to yourself with your whole body and then with your face. Pause one moment and release. 

~HOLLY KAPUSINSKI, RN

Which Nurse Wisdom stands out for you that you’d like to explore in this moment?

Leave a comment expressing how you will explore, or any thoughts that come to mind.

Take it one day at a time, one moment at a time.

You are doing the best that you can.

You are loved, Nurse Coach Nicole xo

Nicole Vienneau, MSN, RN, NC-BC earned her Master's degree in Nursing Science & System's Leadership from the University of Arizona (go Cats!), and believes it's important to continuously learn & grow in life’s journey. 

She achieved an Integrative Nurse Coach board certification through the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation & graduated with an Advanced Nurse Coach certificate from the International Nurse Coach Association (INCA), & a certificate in Advanced Clinical Nutrition in an Integrative Nurse Coaching Practice from the Institute for Functional Medicine & INCA.  

She is Faculty with the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy and an approved supervisor for Nurse Coach students, a Functional Aging Specialist and Brain Health Trainer with the Functional Aging Institute, a Menopause Fitness Specialist, a certified National Fitness Presenter with the American Council on Exercise & Personal Trainer with the Athletics & Fitness Association of America, a 200 YTP Yoga Instructor with the Yoga Project (Thailand), a former Reebok Sponsored Fitness Athlete, Educator & Wife, Daughter, Sister, Friend & Crazy Cat Lady.