It seems apparent that in the severe current conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic, nurses are under considerable pressure. They have to deal with a plethora of issues – starting from the protection of their health and ending with caring about patients. The case is even worse when it comes to high morbidity or mortality patients. A nurse is to keep in mind that he or she is an essential factor that might be a vital ray of bliss for a patient surrounded by the dark of the virus. Hence, nurses should demonstrate a significant extent of endurance, as well as mental health. It might be assumed that mindfulness meditation – if implemented properly – may serve as a great foundation for this. This paper aims to provide a solid rationale regarding this meditation’s appropriacy in the mentioned conditions, as well as a plan on how to keep this program efficient.
To begin, it seems important to give a proper definition of mindfulness meditation. “Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us” (Mindful, n.d., para. 1). Then, according to Mindful (n.d.), “Mindfulness meditation asks us to suspend judgment and unleash our natural curiosity about the workings of the mind, approaching our experience with warmth and kindness” (para. 6). Hence, this practice allows perceiving the world from a positive perspective, which is essential for one in a dire situation. It seems apparent that nurses who care for high mortality patients are involved in such a case and need some additional mental strength from within. Meditation might provide this strength, which may lead to several prominent outcomes. For instance, they would constantly express a great extent of positive energy that is important for any type of patient.
The plan for the education of nurses within the scope of the theme might be formulated as follows. The first part of the program will be theoretical. They will be informed about significant results that the proper acquaintance with the meditation can bring via e-mail and social media. Nurses will get a detailed schedule that will describe each step of the process. There will be two introductory lectures during the first week. I will estimate which days nurses are less loaded and choose these days for the theoretical introduction. The latter will give a coherent train of thought regarding the importance of mindfulness meditation for a nurse – especially in such conditions. I will provide several essential sources so that my stakeholders could even strengthen their knowledge of the program.
Moreover, during the first week, I will ask nurses to undertake several practices such as walking meditation and mindful listening. These simple actions will make the stakeholders adhere to the founding principles of my initiative subconsciously. These principles are a patient perception of any occasion, searching for kindness and light in everything, and acceptance of the thought that any problem may be overcome. The point is that nurses will feel the progress day by day, as well as aim to learn about this meditation more. Such a state of affairs will be a basis for practical classes that will start from the second week.
The latter will contain everyday practices that last – approximately – for an hour. I will guide nurses on their path to become significant practitioners of mindfulness meditation. The classes will provide them with the opportunity to stay focused for a long period, feel the force of their minds, and sense the strength in every thought that affects surrounding reality (Mindful, n.d.). It might be assumed that during two weeks, nurses will be ready to practice mindful meditation on their own – without my guidance. Given such possible fast progress – due to the simplicity of the initiative and its substantial benefits – nurses will be able to reduce their stress during the pandemic significantly. Their advanced state of mind will allow them to face any challenge boldly and confidently.
Then, it seems reasonable to emphasize that the program does not imply a great effort to maintain enthusiasm for my intervention after it is finished. The essence of mindfulness meditation is that it becomes a sort of way of living if, again, implemented adequately. It may be expedient to organize some meditation meetings to feel the spirit of support and mental strength, but this will not be a necessity.
To conclude, the core of mindfulness meditation, as well as its appropriacy for nurses in the contemporary conditions of the pandemic, was discussed. It was found that such an initiative might contribute to the substantial improvement of the stakeholders’ mental health, which is vital for their profession, especially today. The proposed plan for the program’s implementation is divided into two weeks. The first one is mostly theoretical, and the second is purely practice-orientated. It is also claimed that there will be no need to encourage nurses to practice meditation because of the latter’s essence.
Reference
Mindful. (n.d.). Getting started with mindfulness. 2020, Web.