Need a reset? The case for why you should go on a nurse retreat!

By Nicole Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN, CEP

Founder of Unwound Retreats

So, your nursing job might have you feeling a little crusty, maybe even a little burnout.  Nursing can challenge you in many ways and leave you feeling like you need a break.  Often, you give of yourself for twelve hours straight putting your needs last and your patient’s first.  This is nursing but we need to make sure we are filling and replenishing up our cup, too!  Attending a nurse retreat is the perfect way to do that!

In general, retreats are a dedicated time to slow down, offer introspection, practice restorative practices and give ourselves the space to decompress.  It can be challenging to get enough rest on a day to day, eat well, meditate, and exercise, especially as a nurse.  So, retreats can offer a time to be our best version of ourselves and follow a program that is intended to improve overall well-being.  You can learn different ways of being, including stress reduction modalities and take them home to integrate them back into your personal life.  You can also listen to what your body needs and take much needed rest.  Additionally, it can be a time to have a digital detox!  Don’t we all need that?

Retreats offer a time to find social connection with others who may have similar experiences to yourself.  While retreats are deeply personal, when you go on a nursing retreat, you have time to discuss a shared lived experience and find meaningful connection.  According to the surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy, we are going through an epidemic of loneliness post-pandemic.  Finding other people like you and creating new friendships can have a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing, not only for yourself but also for your community.  You just might find new friends on a retreat!

But why go on a nursing specific retreat?  For the above mentioned reasons AND that something very special happens when you get nurses together.  In nursing, collectively we experience and bear witness to some VERY challenging things.  You put yourself in a room with other nurses, and you are instantly understood.  I’ve hosted nursing retreats for five years and I will say that nurses love meeting other nurses from different parts of the country with different specialties.  They want to talk shop and get things off their chests.  You have the opportunity to learn how nurses nurse differently in other areas around the states.  

All in all, attending a nurse retreat is a beautiful way to give back to yourself - to nourish your mind, body and soul.  You can learn different tips to improve your well-being.  You can get much needed rest and let someone take care of you!  You can create new meaningful connections with other nurses and have fun in a beautiful part of the world!  Plus, on my nursing retreats you can earn CEs and get your hospital to pay for your retreat! 

Check out my retreats at Unwound Retreats - now offering retreats to Mexico and Turkey!

Hope to see you there!

Love & light, 

Nicole Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN, CEP

Founder of Unwound Retreats - events, resources and retreats for nurses by nurses

www.unwoundretreats.com

@unwoundretreatsfornurses

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