It seems almost daily we are hit by news where someone or something is trying to rob us of our happiness. We barely survived the pandemic while losing our staff and having to deal with an agency that will not adapt to our caring culture.
Instead of receiving support or accolades, we were filleted by the media and government alike.
The harsh focus on us during the State of the Union address was enough to make even the most optimistic Pollyanna turn into a crying, depressed hot mess. On top of that, we just got news that we are about to have quality measure rating threshold changes, making it even more difficult to achieve decent star ratings. Because it’s important for the world to think we suck!
Did you know that March 20 was the International Day of Happiness? Yeah, me neither! There really was no evidence of that. So I say we need to take that back and have our own Long-Term Care Month of Happiness.
Why should we continue to allow outside forces to rob us of our happiness? We know we are doing the most amazing, life-changing job on the planet. That should make us happy right there, right?
After all, the power of happiness is transformative. It lifts you up, rejuvenates our spirit, and gives us a renewed determination to meet the unprecedented challenges we’re facing today. It is in our nature to need a sense of belonging, to be part of a community, to be part of the greater good.
Happiness shapes our culture, it elevates humanity, and right now we need it. So, to heck with all these external forces who want to rob us of our joy for doing what we dedicate our lives to. Let’s take our sense of pride back.
And let’s face it, happy workers equal better care. So as leaders, let’s do whatever it takes to bring that happiness back to your workforce. Yes, it may be a Herculean task but I know you are up to it. I know you’re creative.
By the way, another happiness tip for you: My therapist told me the way to achieve true happiness is to finish what I start. So today I finished a whole bag of tortilla chips and a massive quantity of guacamole.
I feel better already!
Just keeping it real,
Nurse Jackie
The Real Nurse Jackie is written by Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC, Senior Director of Clinical Innovation and Education for Mission Health Communities, LLC and an APEX Award of Excellence winner for Blog Writing. Vance is a real-life long-term care nurse. A nationally respected nurse educator and past national LTC Nurse Administrator of the Year, she also is an accomplished stand-up comedienne. The opinions supplied here are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer or her professional affiliates.
The opinions expressed in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News guest submissions are the author’s and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News or its editors.
