For nearly two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has put academic nursing leaders in crisis mode, requiring us to quickly respond to real and evolving challenges to the sustainability of our programs, to the health and well-being of our faculty and students, and to our own capacity to navigate this storm. At times it may have felt overwhelming, yet we have not wavered from our responsibility to educate, mentor, inspire, and lead.
Oftentimes in moments of chaos and change, we do not take the time to care for ourselves. We focus on addressing today’s emergency and helping others through it. We get lost in the mix. The fatigue, anxiety, and stress that many of us are feeling are real, and we truly must follow our own advice to be kind to ourselves.
Focusing on our own health and well-being is important to remaining effective and resilient. As leaders, we must model wellness behaviors if we are to effectively support and mentor others while focusing on the important work ahead.
In the midst of the pandemic, AACN’s members passed a resolution focused on promoting sound mental health, physical health, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and well-being for students, faculty, and staff. This call to action was designed to move schools of nursing from the mode of crisis intervention to prevention.