Just a Nurse

Send us Fan MailHow often do we hear "put the patient first", or as mothers, we often naturally put our children first. But is putting ourselves first how we actually care best for others?Clare and Rachel return to explore these questions using their own experiences. Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the complex motivations behind choosing a career in nursing. Is it purely about helping others, or does it also stem from a desire to heal parts of ourselves? Sharing our own reflections, we reflect on how nursing can be shaped by both conscious compassion and unconscious wounds.Together, we’ll unpack the concept of the 'wounded healer,' the balance between giving and receiving, and why prioritizing your own well-being is essential to truly care for others.Support the show

Send us Fan MailIn this heartfelt and humorous episode of Just a Nurse, as an ex-nurse and a returning nurse we share personal experiences of navigating stress as both a healthcare professional and a parent. We unpack the Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale, exploring how even positive events (like a new house or Christmas festivities) can add to your stress load.We dive into the Window of Tolerance, explaining how recognizing when you’re outside this zone can help you avoid burnout. This isn’t about toxic positivity or “just soldiering on”—it’s about taking stuff off your plate, not piling more on.We also reflect on the cycles of nature: how everything powers down for winter while humans seem to power up, rushing through the stress of Christmas and endless to-do lists. And yes, there’s some humour too—like how boxes of After Eight mints somehow become both a coping mechanism and a source of joy.Join us for a relatable discussion about finding balance, reducing stress, and learning to live in sync with your limits (and maybe even the seasons).Also, if you'd like to support us so we can afford some proper editing and more after eight mints, click the link:https://buymeacoffee.com/rachelannSupport the show

Send us Fan MailIn this episode Clare and Rachel discuss stigma in relation to mental illness, with a focus on stigma for nurses. Rachel uses her own experience of stigma - her own thoughts as an A&E nurse looking after patients with a mental illness, then her own experience attending A&E as a patient following a traumatic bereavement. If you'd like to learn more about trauma informed care there is an educational page on the Royal College of Nursing website:Trauma informed care | Clinical topics | Royal College of NursingPoem:Girl with the brown paper bagGirl with the brown paper bagHow selfish can’t she seeThere are people who are dyingShe’s really not in needGirl with the brown paper bagWhat’s the big dealIt’s all in her headIs she being for realGirl with the brown paper bagNow I feel like I’m dyingNot sure what’s happeningCan’t think although I’m tryingGirl with the brown paper bagStruggling to breathA throat that's squeezingIs this how it feelsGirl with the brown paper bagI know how you feltTo feel so scaredJust wanting some helpGirl with the brown paper bagI know how life changes in an instantTo feel so aloneBut we’re no longer so distantGirl with the brown paper bagI’m so sorry I didn’t seeThe trauma you carriedSo now I pleaGirl with the brown paper bagAlthough you’re long goneI’m here to tell youYou did nothing wrongGirl with the brown paper bagI never got to hear your storySo I’m here sharing mineTo restore your glorySupport the show

Send us Fan MailThis week we discuss whether parenting is more stressful than nursing. We also touch on intrusive thoughts and talk about the need for there to be more awareness for mothers, particularly pre-natal.Don't follow us.Support the show

Send us Fan MailA long awaited part two about manifesting and the law of attraction. An update about what we have learnt, the good, the bad and our best tips.Don't follow us.Support the show

Send us Fan MailThis week we discuss the podcast series we both listened to - The witch trials of JK Rowling and admitting being wrong. Also recent comments from a certain person about sick note culture and mental illness and our thoughts on that. Don't follow us.Support the show

Send us Fan MailShort talk about everything menstrual. Period cycles and learning about them late, also a bit on peri-menopause, with a smidge of ADHD.Don't follow us.Support the show

Send us Fan MailFirst topic of season two is 'women's work', divided into emotional labour, cognitive labour and domestic labour. A brief chat and our thoughts on it.Don't follow us.Outro Poem:Spilt MilkIt's not about the spilt milk.It's never been about the spilt milk.It's not even about the mess.It's about our mess overflowing.It's about the milk having no container.It's about dealing with the mess alone.It's about needing containers.It's about needing help. But crying over spilt milk.Has never been about the milk.Support the show

Send us Fan MailQuick intro to season two with Clare and Rachel. Talking about everything and nothing and a half human cat. Don't follow us.Support the show