If you're a registered nurse who's ready to advance your career to something more fulfilling or challenging, you may wonder neonatology is the field for you. Neonatology is an advanced branch of medicine designed to improve and save the lives of premature and ailing babies. In order to meet these challenges, you must be physically able to handle them. Here are some things you can do to improve your physical health.
Decrease Your Stress
If you're currently under or experiencing stress in your life, take steps to alleviate it. Although nursing is a valuable and rewarding profession for men and women, it can be stressful for many individuals. Stress can interfere with your ability to carry out or perform your job duties, or it can affect your health. Learning how to handle your stress can be the key you need to unlock a career in neonatology.
If you plan to take on neonatal courses to learn more about the field, you'll need place your focus on your studies. Stress can potentially prevent you from doing so. Because of this, it's important to address the sources of your stress head on. For example, if your stress is due to an ailing personal relationship, you may wish to seek counseling from a professional therapist or counselor. If your stress comes from working too many hours, consider changing your schedule to something less demanding.
After you find ways to manage the stress in your life, take time to improve your diet.
Give Your Diet a Makeover
Although nurses should eat a variety of healthy foods during their career, time may not permit you to do so. If you work long or erratic shifts, you might not have time to sit down and enjoy a meal that contains all five food groups. You might choose a quick snack or beverage instead.
By taking time to pack a nutritious meal for your shifts, you not only improve your energy levels, you protect your health from heart disease, high blood sugar, and hypertension. If you only receive 30 minutes for lunch or dinner breaks, prepare salads for your meals. The salads may contain fruit, vegetables, and proteins like low-fat turkey. You can also snack on bananas, apples, and other fruit during your shorter breaks.
You can meet the challenges of working as a neonatal nurse by following the tips above. If you'd like to learn more about neonatology, contact a health care clinic or specialist today, such as at Kidz Medical Services.
