Welcome to the Spring 2021 Edition of the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria Newsletter!  

The theme of this newsletter is “You’re Only Human”! We have refreshed the successful 2020 campaign in response to the current situation we confront with COVID-19 in Victoria. We are hearing an array of concerns from our colleagues due to the impacts of the pandemic, which affect them professionally and personally. This presents many challenges for you which are often unrelenting and have the capacity to negatively impact your health and wellbeing. 

Through this newsletter we take the opportunity to share useful, practical and beneficial information, tools and resources that you, our nursing and midwifery colleagues, can easily access to help you through this difficult time, with the aim of enhancing your health and wellbeing.        
It will also help your connections as a partner, parent, child, sibling, friend or carer. We at NMHPV believe it’s important to keep this point in mind. 
 

At this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, like many, you may be feeling fatigued, exhausted and running on empty. The chances are you may need support, the Nursing and Midwifery Health program (NMHPV) are hear to support you. 
 
Thank you for everything you do and remember NMHPV is an independent service which is free to access, confidential and provided by nurses and midwives for your sensitive health needs. If you need us just call 9415 7551 or email admin@nmhp.org.au    

In addition to our individual counselling support, tailored health and wellbeing forums and other various interactive seminars, I would like to remind you that our ‘NMHP Champion Training’ is back for 2021 and scheduled for 22nd October and 29th October. Both of these events will now be delivered on-line and at no cost! All information and registration details at www.nmhp.org.au/training

I hope you enjoy the newsletter and remember, while you’ve been doing an amazing job working throughout COVID-19, “You’re Only Human”! 

Glenn Taylor 

CEO

You’re Only Human – Support during COVID-19

Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) has partnered with the ANMF (Vic Branch) in the ‘I’m only human’ campaign. Nurses and a midwives have shared their experiences about working within the COVID-19 pandemic we encourage nurses and midwives to develop your own self-care plan and seek support with NMHPV.

Nursing & Midwifery Health Program Victoria (nmhp.org.au)

“It’s taking even more from us than usual. Not only are we coping with our own lives at home but trying to give 100% at work. It’s a difficult time.” – a midwife

The video message to nurses and midwives, is that while you’ve been doing an important job caring for people impacted by COVID-19, you’re only human. The stress of working and living in the COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing for months and the long-term stresses can have serious impacts on your physical and mental health.

Seeking out support and developing a self-care plan before you hit crisis point is a practical approach to living and working within a health pandemic. It only takes a few minutes to complete our self-care survey and develop your own self-care plan to monitor and focus on your health and wellbeing. 

Develop Your Self-Care Plan
This self-care plan has been developed by the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) to support your health and well-being.
View the self-care plan
 

Resource Toolkit
Access a wide range of resources that may assist you in improving and maintaining your health and wellbeing.

» DOWNLOAD THE RESOURCE TOOLKIT

Tips for nurses and midwives on how to make health, wellbeing and self-care a priority with a bonus mindfulness activity.



As nurses and midwives, we understand the importance of health and wellbeing to those we care for. But sometimes, we put our own health and wellbeing last. No matter what stressors we face in life, we need to nurture our own emotional, physical and spiritual health. What techniques can we build into our day so that we don’t just cope, but thrive?

In this podcast, Mark Aitken talks to Carolyn McDonald, a Registered Nurse and Senior Clinician with NMHPV, and an Iyengar yoga teacher who is passionate about supporting nurses, midwives and students.

Carolyn reminds us that our self-care is important, as nurses and midwives often put the needs of others before our own. We need to remember to nurture the nurturer, put our own oxygen mask on first, celebrate being resilient nurses and midwives and ensure all the care you give to others you give back to YOU.

We discuss the importance of students, graduates, early career nurses and midwives making their health, wellbeing and self-care a priority, and provide advice and tips for how to do this. This will enable you to establish your self-care as a routine so it becomes part of your nursing/midwifery toolkit. Knowing your red flags, intervening early and getting support sooner rather than later is key to restoring health and wellbeing.

We even have a treat for you at the end of the podcast. As Carolyn reminds us that one of the benefits of yoga is to still the fluctuations of the mind, Carolyn leads us into a mindfulness activity that is designed to refresh and restore you.

Podcast: https://www.nmhp.org.au/podcast-e3.html 

Have you ever wondered what we do?

In this 60-minute panel discussion, we will answer your questions and share practical strategies to overcome these barriers. It’s our aim to give you an understanding of the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) including: how it works, how it can help you or a colleague, and to reinforce the message that not being OK is perfectly OK, and there’s many approaches to getting help.

Host: Mark Aitken | Panellists: Glenn Taylor, Carolyn McDonald, Kayanne Breinstampf  | Duration: 56:43

WATCH NOW  If you have ever wondered what we do or have just heard about us, this webinar will answer your questions

Host: Mark Aitken | Panelists: Glenn Taylor, Carolyn McDonald, Kayanne Breinstampf  | Duration: 56:43