I did something extreme the other day. This may shock you, so prepare yourself. 

This is something that really matters to me… so here I am, sharing this with you!

… Are you ready for it?

I called in sick for work...and I wasn't really sick. 

Before you start unsubscribing or throwing eggs at me, let me explain myself! I have a REALLY good reason behind why I took this sick day. For a start, I had zero patients booked into my clinic. This never happens. So no patients were harmed at all in the making of this blog post. 

 It may go against ‘the norm’, but here’s why I did it:

I believe that it is ok for nurses to call in sick even when they aren’t sick. The mental health day is severely underutilised and also still really shamed in nursing. I know we all rely on each other on the wards but we also need these days, so we can be our best when we are at work. The chicken and the egg you know. 

Because I did that, I went back into work fully refreshed the next day. I had had a delicious mental health break. I watched The OC on Stan (Team Ryan obvs) and sat in the sun in my backyard. Time slowed and so did I. When I rolled into work I was 110% there again. 

Because I did that, I could feel within myself a mood booster which I know will last a while. I had felt for the last couple of weeks a creeping mood. I was getting annoyed and irritable at work. This was not like me. Through some self-reflection and positive selfishness, I knew I had to do something for me. I had to be the one to change- work wasn't! 

Because I did that, I can now be here on my soapbox encouraging you to have a mental health day. Remember you don’t have to give a reason for sick leave, don’t feel bullied into sharing or making up an illness. Please don’t use the day to do boring household tasks. I’m officially banning that. 

 I know it can be shocking. And I’m sure some of you may think it is really irresponsible and harsh to the nurses left at work. But I don’t do or teach things just because everyone else does them. I test them out for myself. I am a better team player and ward contributor now I have had a day to myself. I can give MORE now instead of less like before it. 

Coincidentally, this is how my lovely nurses I have worked with get to love their work. They look after themselves. Positive Selfishness for the win.  

I understand that my methods aren’t typical, but I don’t want you to be typical.

The average nurse trying to love their work does not get there by following what they have always done or what everyone else does. 

I want you to be the one to love their work and be content and I challenge you to follow my strategies. You WILL see results without having to burn yourself out. 

Have you signed up for the waitlist for our ‘The Phoenix Protocol’? While the doors to new members are currently closed click here to get yourself on the VIP waitlist to get the latest information sent directly to you. The Phoenix Protocol is a monthly membership of motivation, education and support for our nursing community. 

Also are you new to nursing or starting to feel the pinch of burnout? Check out our Love Your Work Course. A 4-week email-based course to give you the basics of burnout, compassion fatigue and self-care. Click here for more information.