Finals Are Approaching....

But Don't Forget to Breathe.

As finals are approaching, it's important to still think about how to take care of yourself during this stressful time, and take a moment to breathe!

Below are some breathing exercises courtesy of health.harvard.edu:

Relaxation techniques: Mini-relaxations

Mini-relaxations can help allay fear and reduce pain while you sit in the dentist’s chair or lie on an examining table. They’re equally helpful in thwarting stress before an important meeting, while stuck in traffic, or when faced with people or situations that annoy you. Here are a few quick relaxation techniques to try.

When you’ve got 1 minute

Place your hand just beneath your navel so you can feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly as you breathe. Breathe in slowly. Pause for a count of three. Breathe out. Pause for a count of three. Continue to breathe deeply for one minute, pausing for a count of three after each inhalation and exhalation.

Or alternatively, while sitting comfortably, take a few slow deep breaths and quietly repeat to yourself “I am” as you breathe in and “at peace” as you breathe out. Repeat slowly two or three times. Then feel your entire body relax into the support of the chair.

When you’ve got 2 minutes

Count down slowly from 10 to zero. With each number, take one complete breath, inhaling and exhaling. For example, breathe in deeply saying “10” to yourself. Breathe out slowly. On your next breath, say “nine,” and so on. If you feel lightheaded, count down more slowly to space your breaths further apart. When you reach zero, you should feel more relaxed. If not, go through the exercise again.

When you’ve got 3 minutes

While sitting down, take a break from whatever you’re doing and check your body for tension. Relax your facial muscles and allow your jaw to fall open slightly. Let your shoulders drop. Let your arms fall to your sides. Allow your hands to loosen so that there are spaces between your fingers. Uncross your legs or ankles. Feel your thighs sink into your chair, letting your legs fall comfortably apart. Feel your shins and calves become heavier and your feet grow roots into the floor. Now breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly. Each time you breathe out, try to relax even more.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Womens_Health_Watch/2008/July/relaxation_techniques_breath_focus

Final Peer Advising Event Next Week!

Calling all Peer Advisors & Advisees!

Be sure to attend our FINAL peer advising event for the semester next week.

Thursday, April 17th
5:30pm
Atrium Conference Room
726 Broadway, 10th floor

We plan on making cards for veterans as part of a social activity, and dinner will be provided! So please come with your advisor/advisee and join us for this fun end-of-semester event.

We hope to see you there! 

NYUCN Simulation Learning

Why do we use simulation in nursing?

The use of simulation has been found to increase student self confidence, enhance critical thinking, promote teamwork, and improve hands on technical skills. Undergraduate classes focus on the management and intervention of patients with coordination of care. Graduate nursing classes focus on performing a physical exam, diagnosing common health conditions, and developing a treatment plan using a live standardized patient.

Improves Patient Safety

Simulation is a safe environment where mistakes can be made and students learn from those mistakes. On-campus simulation provides nursing students an opportunity for exposure, assessment and implementation of care of simulated patients. Simulation also allows the nursing student practice prioritization and development of critical thinking skills.

Enhances Communication Skills

The simulation learning scenarios provide opportunities for students to practice communication with the nurse educator, clinical nurse manager, health care provider, respiratory therapist, lab personnel, and pharmacy. Opportunities to use communication skill sets such as reporting a patient’s condition and providing patient education are integrated into each simulation experience.

Promotes Practice of Clinical Skills

The old saying “Practice makes perfect” applies to simulation. Students have the ability to practice nursing skills such as medication administration and wound care. Simulation allows students to practice and perfect their skills on a manikin before working with an actual patient.

What do our current students say they like about simulation?

“I like the teamwork, the support, and the hands-on practice.”

“It let me experience patient care without the stress of real patients”

“The simulations seemed like real patient care”