We are now in our third year of this pandemic, coupled with an increased birthrate in some parts of Victoria. We know that it has been relentless and challenging for maternal and child health (MCH) nurses, adapting to constant changes in MCH service delivery, in the context of increasing community demand, and workforce challenges.
ANMF and the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV) are holding online wellbeing sessions to help support MCH nurses through this next phase.
The NMHPV’s trained counsellors (and clinicians), are nurses and midwives. These counsellors can help you catch your breath and start to think about what you can do to respond to feelings of exhaustion, fatigue, anger and frustration at the trauma and uncertainty of working as a MCH nurse throughout these past years.
We hope these sessions will provide practical support, tips and an opportunity to anonymously share your experiences, perhaps even a black-humoured laugh, with other MCH nurses.
Encourage your colleagues and friends to attend
If you, or someone at work you know, is struggling with some of these feelings please come to one of our sessions next week. Come on your own or as a group. If you are a manager*, please encourage your staff to attend. If you are a Job Rep/HSR, please talk about these sessions with your colleagues.
*An additional session will also be scheduled, focusing on the specific needs of MCH Nurse Coordinators and MCH Nurse Team Leaders.
Wellbeing session dates^ (please choose one to register):
These sessions are for all maternal and child health nurses to attend. We know it’s hard, but we hope you can find some time to come and share a safe space where you can be amongst your peers, and learn practical techniques and strategies to support your health and keep you well.
For more information about NMHPV, visit nmhp.org.au.
