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nursingstandard.com7 2 / 19 April 2017 / volume 31 number 34

evidence & practice / revalidation

The authors of reflective

accounts that are published in

Nursing Standard receive a £50 book token.

£50

REFLECTIVE ACCOUNT

Mindfulness A CPD article improved Toni McIntosh’s understanding of how mindfulness can be used to enhance compassionate care

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

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 61 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: journals.rcni.com/r/reflective-account

What was the nature of the CPD activity, practice-related feedback and/or event and/or experience in your practice? The CPD article discussed mindfulness and self- compassion, and how these concepts can improve nurses’ well-being and their ability to provide compassionate care.

What did you learn from the CPD activity, feedback and/ or event and/or experience in your practice? The article stated that the aim of mindfulness practice is to develop a non-judgemental awareness of the present moment. The article helped me to understand how mindfulness relates to self- compassion, and how this can enhance compassionate care.

I recently experienced a period of anxiety and depression, which resulted in me taking time off work. When I returned to work, I remained anxious at times because I put pressure on myself to perform well. I realised that I had been giving all of my energy to my work, and prioritised the well-being of patients over my health and well- being.

After reading the article, I realised that self-compassion is not a selfish act, and that without looking after yourself, you

are not able to provide optimal care to others. Thus, by neglecting my mental health, I was also unable to give patients the best possible care that I could. I have learned that by promoting mindfulness for nurses, managers can improve the health of their staff, as well as enhance patient care.

How did you change or improve your practice? One issue I experienced in my practice was that after visiting a patient, I would continue to analyse my actions and worry that I had done something wrong. The cumulative effect of

this was that I became emotionally exhausted and felt unable to cope.

My manager suggested that I use a mantra, as discussed in the article. This is a phrase that I would repeat to myself after each patient visit, to enable me to feel confident that I did my best and to move on to the next patient with no residual anxiety. This enabled me to focus my attention and energy on each patient, improved my confidence and helped to challenge my self- doubt. I have learned that effective mantras are short, powerful and individual to the person.

Another change I made

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nursingstandard.com volume 31 number 34 / 19 April 2017 / 7 3

Revalidation Find out more at: revalidation.nursingstandard.com

PATIENT VIEW

‘My midwife made childbirth a positive and enjoyable experience’ Nurse Heather Scott praises the exceptional care that she and her partner received from midwife Anna Marley

I was expecting my first baby. I was nervous and in slow labour. When I called the maternity unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead for reassurance over the phone, midwife Anna Marley was on shift.

I didn’t know what to expect, but Anna was there throughout the night, on the other end of the line, giving me reassurance that everything was okay, even though the labour was taking a long time.

The following night I went into active labour and Anna was on shift again. She would be the midwife who delivered my baby, and she made sure it was a good experience for my partner and I.

From the moment Anna greeted us at the door, to showing us to our room, through to delivery and aftercare, her bedside manner and professionalism was beyond anything we could have expected.

As first-time parents, my partner and I were anxious, but she made everything easier and more

bearable. She constantly included my partner and patiently explained the different processes, as well as giving him advice and support.

My partner is scared of hospitals, but afterwards he said to me that if he had been paying hundreds of pounds for a private service, he would not have expected such a high level of care and attention. As a nurse myself, I think this is a big compliment.

Strong support After the slow start, my labour took hold quickly and I had to deliver without pain relief. If I hadn’t had such a supportive midwife, I don’t know how I would have coped.

It is because of Anna that my experience was positive and enjoyable. She deserves to be credited for what she does, because I can see that she shows the same commitment to everyone in her care. That means there are a lot of happy mothers out there.

after reading the article was to try to ‘live in the moment’. I realised I was constantly ruminating about the past and worrying about the future, which meant I was not fully present in each moment. After incorporating mindfulness into my practice, I feel more relaxed and confident, and I have more emotional energy to give to patients.

How is this relevant to the Code? Select one or more themes: Prioritise people, Practise effectively, Preserve safety, Promote professionalism and trust The Code states that nurses must treat people with kindness and compassion, as part of the theme of prioritising people. The article discussed how mindfulness practice can enhance the compassionate care that nurses provide to patients. Mindfulness activities can support nurses to practise effectively and preserve safety by focusing on the task in hand, rather than worrying about the past or future.

As part of the theme of promoting professionalism and trust, The Code states that nurses must maintain the level of health necessary to carry out their professional role. The article emphasised the importance of having self- compassion and looking after your health and well- being.

Toni McIntosh is a community staff nurse at Ailsa Hospital, Ayr

Heather Scott, with her son John, is full of praise for her midwife’s efforts