In the Moment.

Abstract

In the fast-paced world of nursing, it is so very easy to shift into “automatic” mode. The sheer number of tasks and timed interventions leaves little time for a nurse to just stop and think. This unrelenting pace of activity can negatively affect the health of nurses and potentially the patients in their care according to Rushton and colleagues, in their work, “Mindful Ethical Practice and Resilience Academy: Equipping Nurses to Address Ethical Challenges.” The ability of frontline nurses to be resilient in such a complex environment and to handle ethical challenges effectively is the focus of their research.Mindfulness is defined as the practice of being aware of what is happening in the present moment mentally, emotionally, and physically.1 The practice of mindfulness can be viewed as a critical self-protection tool. Research shows that being in the moment, or regular mindfulness practice, actually develops the region of the brain that helps with problem-solving and increases awareness during stressful situations.2 Mindfulness can also help with reducing some of the physical impact of stress and improve overall life enjoyment.3Rushton and colleagues found additional benefits from structured mindfulness practice in that it improves a nurse’s ability to handle ethical challenges and improves resilience. Their work also showed that mindfulness practice appears to have a positive impact on the work environment by improving work engagement, turnover intentions, and burnout. These findings highlight the need for mindfulness to be a joint effort between nurses and health care organizations, not just an individual task. We all need to practice being “in the moment.”