The Happy Nurse

The Happy Nurse

By Elaina McDonaldBusinessHealth & FitnessMental HealthEducationSelf-ImprovementManagement
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The Happy Nurse episodes

  • 026: Love and Human Connection with Christina Foxwell
    “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance.” John Lennon says it beautifully. 
    At the end of the day, what we want as human beings is genuine connection, to be seen and heard.
    In this episode, we speak with Christina Foxwell of Ignite Purpose. Her vision is to change the way we engage people in business because people are central to the work we do, and without purpose we can’t live our best lives. We also delve into the power of vulnerability and authenticity to create genuine connections.
    Ultimately, that sense of belonging is up to you. Others cannot make you feel like you belong. You have to connect to your own self worth and do the inner work. Your power-up battery of who you are is not necessarily reliant on others but on your authentic self.
    When we grow, reflect, and learn about who we are and how we show up, we are then able to shift into a life of purpose and live the life we are proud of.
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Change starts with ourselves (5:00)
    It starts and ends with you (5:45)
    We think we have no choice during overwhelm (6:20)
    Change is uncomfortable but worth it (7:30)
    Reflecting on how you can better yourself (8:10)
    Putting yourself out there (9:43)
    Getting gritty (9:55)
    Compassion fatigue (13:29)
    We judge as soon as we feel uncomfortable (17:25)
    Shame in parenting (2:25)
    Carrying your shame into parenthood (20:50)
    Setting boundaries (29:09)
    You can’t expect others to change (31:00)
    Having your own back (34:30)
    The oxytocin in your brain when you are being loved (35:22)
    Belonging relies on yourself (36:55)
    No single person is the same (38:00)
    A different version of you exists in everyone’s mind (38:24)
    Making space for someone (38:48)
    Children as our teachers (46:30)
    Our belonging is birthed from inside (47:13)
    CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA FOXWELL
    Ignite Purpose
    Follow Christina on Instagram and Facebook
    Follow Christina on Twitter
    Connect with Christina on LinkedIn
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    HappyNurse.com.au
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    56 min
  • 025: Self Care Beyond Alcohol with Rebecca Weller
    Being a nurse means learning to cope with stress. For many of us, it becomes easy to reach for a glass of wine (or two!) when we need to deal with or escape from the stress of caring and giving so much of ourselves to other people. We also have to deal with peer pressure and a society that somehow makes you feel like you’re less of a person if you stop drinking alcohol.
    But, guess what? It’s okay if you don’t drink.
    In this episode, bestselling author and health coach Rebecca Weller talks about her journey towards sobriety. She shares inspiring nuggets of wisdom about creating non-negotiable barriers for self care. The importance of taking a break. Overcoming the anxiety and fears associated with sobriety. Choosing the right people to surround yourself with. Strategies to build a better relationship with yourself, and how your journey back to finding yourself again changes before and after sobriety.
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Introducing Rebecca Weller (02:36)
    Non-negotiable self care practice: start slowly and no devices in the bedroom (04:55)
    You take on the information and opinion you see on social media (07:27)
    Have media breaks even though it can be terrifying (08:10)
    Indulgent self care: time (12:09)
    Come back to yourself and sit in the quietness (14:12)
    Self care is even more crucial when you are caring for someone else (14:55)
    Why am I so afraid to slow down, take a break, and rest? (16:10)
    Who or what inspires you to be the best version of yourself? (16:45)
    Sobriety is like personal development on steroids (17:44)
    “You become the average of the people you spend the most time with” (19:04)
    “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” (19:40)
    Strategies to change your mindset towards alcohol (20:57)
    Tips to develop self care (24:07)
    The “Crowding Out” strategy to develop new habits (25:16)
    Turn it into a game (26:39)
    Rebuild self worth, self respect and self trust (27:09)
    The slow process of learning more and seeing how it feels (28:33)
    2020 has made people think about self care and little addictions (30:12)
    Self care is the journey back to yourself and who you really are (32:25)
    CONNECT WITH BEX WELLER
    Connect with Bex on LinkedIn
    Connect with Bex on Facebook
    Follow Bex on Instagram
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    HappyNurse.com.au
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    37 min
  • 024: The Anxiety Relief Handbook with Lauren Bell
    When anxiety and overwhelm take over, you can feel so powerless and feel like there’s little that you can do to control your mind and body. 
    Although anxiety does have physical and mental effects on our body and, although you can’t just will it away, there are certain tools and steps that you can take to overcome and handle anxiety.
    Lauren and I are 2 of the 12 authors who are contributing to the Anxiety Relief Handbook. In this episode, we delve into the tools that we use to handle and deal with anxiety and overwhelm at work. 
    Anxiety is always present in our lives, to some degree. But the more you face anxiety instead of run from it, the more you grow both as a professional and an individual. 
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Professional Anxiety (4:58)
    Living up to standards (5:49)
    Imposter syndrome (6:42)
    We all have huge potentials (7:18)
    Owning our authority and claiming our value (8:17)
    Life is volatile (9:05)
    Celebrating each step along the way (9:57)
    Look at yourself from the lens of others (10:28)
    Living our life through the lens of another (10:52)
    Anxiety of speaking up and sharing your truth (13:48)
    Identify the tipping point of overwhelm (15:35)
    The survival brain (16:58)
    Shaking off the stress (19:10)
    Reframing anxiety and excitement (21:00)
    Unspoken anxiety that nurses carry around with them (22:41)
    Hierarchical system of healthcare (23:16)
    Feel of getting into trouble (24:08)
    Tools to handle anxiety (27:15)
    Doing reflective practices to avoid anxiety (31:50)
    Seeing both sides rather than only the negative side (33:37)
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    HappyNurse.com.au
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    37 min
  • 023: Core Values with Michelle Powell
    Your core values are your GPS coordinates that guide you on your journey in life.
    Through these values, you are more aligned to get to your end goal. The better you know what your values are, the easier you can live in alignment with them. It is also through these values that one is able to traverse the challenges life throws at us with more grace and resilience. 
    In this episode, we are joined once again by Michelle Powell and we unpack the importance of core values and why living and constantly refining them greatly affects who we are today.
    As we continue to evolve as individuals, our core values evolve and change as well. People who know their core values by heart are able to show up as their true and authentic self and live a more meaningful life. 
    What are your core values?
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Humans need connection and community (4:05) 
    Finding your tribe (4:25)
    Having a sense of understanding and compassion with your tribe (5:09)
    Our different personas (6:14)
    Exploring our different selves (7:20)
    Childhood plays a huge part of your adolescence (8:00)
    Values and belief from our childhood (8:40)
    Code of conduct as our inner blueprint (9:00)
    Picking up mannerisms and beliefs from our environment (9:35)
    Nature vs Nurture (9:50)
    Parents’ impact on our lives and values (10:17)
    Beliefs and values are learned and adapted (10:58)
    Being someone different for different people (11:46)
    Having space to invite the right people by being who you truly are (12:13)
    Surrounding yourself with like-minded people (13:21)
    Your core values are your GPS coordinates (14:51)
    Honouring what’s true for you and understanding yourself (17:48)
    There’s no such thing as right or wrong for everyone (18:09)
    The biggest killer of joy (18:50)
    All judgements are unmet needs (21:00)
    Self-exploration (22:20)
    Setting standards for yourself (27:15)
    Authenticity and being real (28:35)
    Having the courage to be authentic (29:30)
    Compassion for self (30:31)
    Keywords as reminders of your core values (37:15)
    You aren’t everyone’s cup of tea (42:00)
    The danger of people-pleasing (44:00)
    Self-sabotaging yourself when you don’t allow yourself to be who you truly are (45:10)
    Knowing your partner’s love language (50:12)
    Having true and real conversations (54:35)
    CONNECT WITH MICHELLE POWELL
    Connect with Michelle on Facebook and Instagram
    Subscribe to Michelle’s Youtube Channel
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    HappyNurse.com.au
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    1 hr
  • 022: The Nursing App for Self-Care with Athol Hann
    Nurses have been in the frontline since the start of the pandemic. It is in our nature to give to others and put others first which is why burnout among nurses has seen a rise in numbers in the recent months.
    In this episode, we are joined by Clinical Emergency Nurse turned entrepreneur, Athol Hann whose mission is to prevent burnout in the healthcare industry. He shares with us the app he created to help nurses and healthcare professionals enhance their well-being. 
    Inspired by his own experience of burnout, Athol’s aim is for healthcare professionals to take better care of themselves so that they can show up as the best versions of themselves and give the best care to their patients. 
    As nurses, we must remember to offer the same compassion that we so freely give our patients. 
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Running away from burnout (4:40)
    Having friends who look out for you (5:48)
    Not addressing our stress can lead to burnout (5:55)
    Cognitive behavioural therapy (8:29)
    Getting enough rest as part of self-care (9:42)
    The importance of getting out in nature (11:5)
    Spending time with your loved ones (15:00)
    Self care is unique to everyone (15:19)
    Financial responsibility of healthcare professionals (16:55)
    Salary-tracking app features (18:00)
    Nursing app for self-care (19:22)
    Bringing the team together through the app (20:11)
    Journaling (21:56)
    Time-management for nurses (23:09)
    Writing down our triggers (24:04)
    Recognizing our patterns (24:39)
    Fight, Flight, Flee response (25:48)
    Recognizing overwhelm to avoid burnout (27:08)
    Acknowledgment that it’s okay to feel low (28:40)
    Getting inspiration from your colleagues (31:44)
    Not being too hard on yourself (33:29)
    Talking to a friend or loved one to help release stress (33:50)
    The power of compassionate ears (34:10)
    Fill your cup: Offer yourself that same compassion you offer your patients (35:36)
    Mediation (36:45)
    CONNECT WITH ATHOL HANN
    atholtech.com.au
    Connect with Athol on LinkedIn
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    41 min
  • 021: From Employee To Entrepreneur with Samantha Riley
    What do you truly want your life to look like? 
    The pandemic has given people the space to stop and take this time to think about what it is they really want to do in life. This may not only be from a career or job perspective, but in a personal perspective as well. 
    Maybe you’ve realised you want to spend more quality time with your family. Or maybe you’re looking for more choice and freedom with how you spend your time and energy.
    In this episode, Samantha Riley shares the benefits of creating your own business, how having a business can give you more freedom and stability, and have the chance to do work that matters in the world. 
    By sharing your expertise, not only are you creating fulfillment for yourself, but changing other people’s lives and creating a ripple of impact.
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Reverse engineering your desired life (5:15)
    Having time to re-set (7:40)
    Indulgent self-care isn’t selfish (9:20)
    Addressing all 5 aspects of self-care (11:18)
    Life is different now and we have to live differently (12:44)
    Giving yourself permission to show up as the best version of yourself (14:45)
    Allowing yourself to blossom (15:25)
    Parents as entrepreneurs (15:50)
    Having the ability to put things in place (17:14)
    Wanting to be the superheroes as moms (18:18)
    Too afraid to take the risk of entrepreneurship (20:20)
    Having a business can give you more freedom (21:25)
    Being clear about where you’re heading (22:40)
    Your zone of genius (22:47)
    The KEEP Principle for starting a business (23:25)
    Pursuing your dreams (25:05)
    Doing work that really matters (25:25)
    The catalyst for change (26:25)
    Is there such a thing as a stable job? (27:50)
    Consistently showing up (30:26)
    Getting caught on the path to burnout (33:43)
    CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA RILEY
    SamanthaRiley.global
    Connect with Samantha on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with Samantha on LinkedIn
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    40 min
  • 020: The 5 steps to courageous conversations with Ally Nitschke
    Are you experiencing conflict in your professional or even personal life but sweep them under the rug instead of confronting them?
    If you are, then it’s time that you had a Courageous Conversation with those involved. These conversations are where you speak up about what you feel and what is weighing you down. However, more often than not, we are scared to have Courageous Conversations because of the stories we have in our heads. 
    In this episode, we talk about the 5 steps towards having a Courageous Conversation. They can be confrontational with a lot of emotion involved. Through these tips and strategies, we can learn to better deal with what is going on in the mind chatter, step out of our comfort zones, and start these conversations. 
    When we lean into the uncomfortableness, we can find that there are so many good things on the other side when you can have these Courageous Conversations. 
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Importance of mastering Courageous Conversations (3:36)
    Who needs you to be on your A-Game? (9:26)
    Encouraging others to follow their dreams when you follow yours (10:29)
    Resilience and challenging the status quo (10:30)
    The 5 Steps to a Courageous Conversation (11:36)
    Step 1: Mastering your story (11:55)
    Pattern interrupting technique (12:50)
    Step 2: Go on a fact-finding mission (13:30)
    Is that true and how do I know that it is true? (14:03)
    THINK: Is it true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind (14:18)
    Step 3: Begin with the end in mind (14:39)
    Step 4: Plan it out (15:40)
    Step 5: Find the space (16:20)
    Resolution, solution, progress (17:05)
    Pre-frame (18:36)
    Communicating outside the courageous conversation (18:51)
    Moving out of the comfort zone (20:08)
    The inner critic (22:21)
    World Health Organization has declared burnout as a syndrome (23:14)
    The stories that we tell ourselves is a huge cause of stress (23:29)
    Compassion fatigue (24:24)
    Filling your own cup through self-care (26:55)
    CONNECT WITH ALLY NITSCHKE
    MadeForMore.com.au
    Connect with Ally on Instagram and Facebook 
    Connect with Ally on LinkedIn
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    HappyNurse.com.au
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    29 min
  • 019: Finding Your Balance with Tracie Kelly

    Are you an introvert or an extrovert or somewhere in between?

    Perhaps an ambivert who is someone who has a balance of both introvert and extrovert features in their personality. Ambiverts are more able to adapt to a lot of people across the personality spectrum. Having an insight into what your personality type is can help you know the right self-care you need. In this episode, we learn how understanding what your personality is plays a fundamental part in creating balance in your life.

    We deep dive into the different techniques on how to bring back your balance in different areas of your life. The best relationship starts with yourself. So the more you know yourself, the better your external relationships are going to be.

    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:

    • Having strong boundaries (2:52)
    • Know what your values are (3:49)
    • Micro-moments for ourselves (5:02)
    • Being the role model for your kids (7:58)
    • Respect and manners (8:18)
    • Monkey see, monkey do (9:12)
    • It’s okay to make mistakes (9:55)
    • Ambivert personality, Extroverts, Introverts (10:23)
    • Being more aware of who you are (15:02)
    • Start with auditing your life (18:10)
    • Understanding what your personality is (18:23)
    • Techniques on bringing back your balance (19:30)
    • The power of your thoughts (19:43)
    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (20:10)
    • Acceptance Commitment Therapy (20:16)
    • Ho'oponopono: The Hawaiian Forgiveness Ritual (20:56)
    • Know what your triggers are (21:48)
    • Becoming more aware of your emotional responses (23:30)
    • The only control we have is over our thoughts (24:37)
    • Self-awareness brings about positive change (25:42)
    • Taking emotion out of the memory (26:00)
    • We’re all a work in progress (28:45)
    • Your thinking is related to how out of balance we are on a cellular level (30:18)
    • It all starts with your thinking (32:30)
    • Changing “should” to “could” (35:39)
    • Turning negative energy to positive energy (39:50)

    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY

    • HappyNurse.com.au
    • Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    • Connect with me on LinkedIn
    • Subscribe to my Youtube channel

    43 min
  • 018: Reconnecting With Yourself with Heidi Anderson
    In this day and age, it’s easy to attribute online “likes” as the true sign of validation. So many thoughts in our head are fed to us by society and social media. 
    We experience a high incidence of anxiety because we become so disconnected with ourselves. We tend to value things in life that are far from our own core values. Because of this, we become misaligned with what is truly important to us.
    In this episode, we delve into why it is so essential to find who you are and peel off all the masks you wear. Reconnecting with who you are, is so powerful. It is a massive process that takes time and conscious effort but it’s all worth it in the end. 
    Remember that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. All we have is today. So find something good in today and you’ll discover that happiness and inner peace starts from within. 
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Putting yourself first (4:51)
    Remembering to be grateful (6:31)
    It’s the simple moments in life (6:53)
    Make your children feel seen and heard (8:51)
    Children don’t hold on to stuff (10:54)
    NLP: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (13:33)
    Talking about the thoughts in your head (14:06)
    Believing that you are worthy (14:27)
    The ego and inner critic (15:35)
    The inner person is so much more beautiful (16:14)
    Anxiety and depression due to disconnection as a society (16:37)
    Junk food values (16:54)
    Externalizing happiness (17:25)
    Inner peace needs inner work (18:21)
    Being happy with yourself and who you are (18:39)
    All the answers you need are within you (19:55)
    It’s not hard to do self-care (20:23)
    Living in the moment (20:44)
    Doing the self-work (20:50)
    Validation (21:27)
    We’re all on our own journey (23:00)
    All we have is today (25:10)
    We’re not alone (35:40)
    Kindness always wins (36:18)
    CONNECT WITH HEIDI ANDERSON
    Connect with Heidi at heidileeanderson.com
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    HappyNurse.com.au
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    43 min
  • 017: Storytelling As A Communication Tool with Lisa Evans
    Stories and storytelling have been around for centuries since the birth of human language. Yet we can sometimes forget how powerful storytelling is as a communication tool. You can learn the most valuable lessons when you listen to others through storytelling. 
    In this episode, we delve into how good storytelling can be used as an effective communication tool for healthcare professionals and a way to build rapport with your patients. Therapeutic storytelling serves a powerful purpose. Nurses are in a great position to encourage patients to share their stories which is an effective way to break down barriers in communication. 
    To be a better storyteller you have to be a better listener. To be a better communicator, one must listen to learn, and not listen to reply. 
    TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
    Sleep deprivation as a form of torture (4:58)
    Restful sleep (5:28)
    Diet as a form of self-care (6:18)
    Good communication as nurses (12:45)
    Storytelling as a nurse (13:18)
    Storytelling as a way of making meaning from the situation (14:00)
    Speaking about your experiences (15:36)
    Sharing your stories (16:00)
    Stories as a way to break down communication barriers (16:32)
    Getting older people to share their stories (16:55)
    Capturing stories while you can (17:45)
    Encouraging people to share their rich stories (17:48)
    Storytelling as a way to build rapport (17:55)
    To be a better storyteller you have to be a better listener (18:36)
    Holding space for others as a story listener (18:49)
    Listen to learn. Don’t listen to reply. (19:22)
    Advice to newly graduating nurses to communicating with patients (20:11)
    Never stop learning (21:00)
    Always ask for help (21:11)
    Having the courage to be vulnerable (21:34)
    Fear stops us from asking for help (22:43)
    Speaking clearly. Keeping communication simple. (23:49)
    Articulating your words and allowing for pauses. (24:40)
    CONNECT WITH LISA EVANS
    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn
    Secure your tickets to Lisa’s event, Stories From The Heart, by clicking here.
    CONNECT WITH ELAINA MULLERY
    HappyNurse.com.au
    Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook
    Connect with me on LinkedIn
    Subscribe to my Youtube channel
    29 min

About The Happy Nurse

From the publisher's feed

Nurses are the backbone of the health system — always there to care for a stranger as if they were one of their own, forsaking precious moments with their own families to ensure others' loved ones are in good hands.