Spiritual Self-Care Management for Nursing Professionals: A Holistic Approach.

Among all the groups and occupations that have been affected by the global pandemic, nursing professionals stand out as having been particularly hard-pressed due to the dramatic increase in the need for their services. Given the rising tide of coronavirus disease 2019 patients who require specialized medical treatment as well as the millions of others that are lining up for vaccinations, it can be assumed that many nursing professionals have had to endure such things as longer working hours, tighter schedules, and the intensity of a work environment in which failure of care and multiple deaths are the daily fare. This article proposes that nurses can avoid such severe consequences by taking up a regime of enhanced self-care management that enables them to achieve psychophysical balance and wellness. Three practices are highlighted in this regard: prayer, meditative walking, and the mindfulness practice of body scanning. Our suggestion is that these coping strategies will be both beneficial and healthful for nursing professionals in terms of enhancing their spiritual/existential resilience and meeting their own need for consolation as they navigate in an extremely difficult and demanding work environment.

Holistic Supports for Street Nurses and Front-line Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Street nurses who serve people experiencing homelessness and substance abuse are at risk of vicarious trauma and long-term mental health challenges. These risks have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a concomitant spike in opioid overdoses and deaths in Canada, fewer available support services and worsening social challenges. This article describes innovative interdisciplinary and participatory research currently being undertaken to develop and evaluate a multifaceted support program to promote the holistic well-being of street nurses and their front-line colleagues.

Osteomyelitis, diabetic foot ulcers and the role of the community nurse.

Community nurses face numerous challenges in both diagnosing and effectively treating their patients. The diabetic patient has complex needs requiring a holistic approach. With a reported increase in diabetic patients, and a possible decline in some routine screening following Covid-19 pandemic, complications in diabetic patients are likely to rise. It is estimated that 25% of diabetic patients will develop a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), with a reported 43% of DFU already infected at first presentation to a health professional. NICE categorise the level of infection in DFU based on standardised assessments such as SINBAD. A high categorised DFU has the possibility of osteomyelitis. It is imperative that osteomyelitis is treated immediately to achieve positive outcomes, benefitting the patients' health and wellbeing in addition to reducing the financial implications to the NHS.

Preventing Social Isolation: A Holistic Approach to Nursing Interventions.

The current need for social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to social isolation in the older adult population. Social isolation contributes to multiple health problems for older adults residing in the community and residential care facilities. Mitigating the effects of social isolation requires a holistic approach, focusing interventions on the physical, psychological, and psychosocial needs of older adults. Nurses possess a unique expertise in developing holistic interventions and using creativity to counteract the negative health sequelae resulting from social isolation. The nursing role in holistic care serves to protect the older adult's ego integrity, improve quality of life, and maintain wellness during this time of mandated social distancing. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(7), 11-13.].