We all know that life is often a juggling act, trying to keep all the balls in the air, not letting any of them to fall. And we are quite talented jugglers, balancing multiple responsibilities, all at one time. When you are a mom, as well as a nurse working long shifts in the hospital, you need to be quite skilled to fully care for your patients, while at the same time be fully involved and invested in the lives on your children.

So what are the tricks in being that superhero in scrubs, as well as the supermom you’ve always dreamt of being?

How to be the Best Nurse Mom

Keeping the following points in mind will help you be well on your way to be the best nurse-mom ever!

Self-Care

When you are so busy taking care of others it is often easy to forget to take care of yourself. And being a mom, as well as a nurse, your entire day literally revolves around the needs of others. Many times when we are extremely busy we tend to neglect to give ourselves the proper time to just relax and decompress after putting in a long day. Getting away for a few days is always a great thing to do every once in a while, but that is not always so practical for any number of reason. Setting aside a specific time to spend alone each day, without anyone needing your attention is important to be able to continue to do your job well, on the home front, as well as in the hospital. Finding the time may be a bit tricky, especially when you come home straight from a long shift and have to care for the kids, but it can be found with a bit of creativity. For example, if you have a bit of a commute to work, use that time to relax by listening to your favorite music on the way, or sit down for just a few minutes and savor your cup of coffee instead of gulping it down on the go. These small acts of self-care may seem like a waste of time, but they really go a long way in preventing you from burning out (something you definitely want to avoid). So, go ahead and take care of yourself, so you can continue to do your best in taking care of others!

Be Calm & Relaxed

This is something that applies to everyone, at every stage and in every situation. Life is hectic, and things can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. It is so important to take a deep breath and just remain level headed and relaxed, even when chaos occurs around you. You can come after a long and tiring shift and find yourself dealing with a tantruming child. You are so exhausted, you just feel like joining in with the kicking and screaming. But, you have to stop and remember that although you be very tires, you are the adult here, and calm yourself before dealing with your child. Practicing some deep breathing exercises might help in keeping you cool and collected in these situations. When the going gets tough it’s always good to keep in mind that eventually the kids will grow up, and tomorrow will be a brighter day.

Prioritize

Sometimes we just can’t do everything, as much as we would like to. It’s important to prioritize and focus on what is important now, and even learn how to say no at times, when you feel unable to take certain responsibilities upon yourself. We all like to be the superwoman, who just does everything, and does it well. But in reality that superwoman doesn’t really exist. Everyone cannot do everything, and that is ok. Your priorities might shift over time, as your children grow older, and your position at work changes, so it’s good to be flexible and take what life brings you and make the best of it. It may have made more sense for you to take the day shift when the kids were young, but you may realize doing the day shift might help you be a more present mom as your children get older, or vice versa. You have to sit down and see what will work best for you at this time and stage and adapt as things change.

Make the most of these years; raising the little ones, and doing the amazing work of a nurse, and realize that although the going may get tough at times, stay focused on the goal, and you will do a great job!