our nurse practitioners say...

It's so hard for women to balance all that goes into a busy day with the time and special care we need for our own well-being. How do you encourage your patients to do this and what's one way you do this, yourself?

The old saying if “Mom ain’t happy, no one is,” is very true. Women are such caregivers that they forget about themselves. Find a hobby, be it reading, writing, knitting, sewing, exercise, tennis, golf or just going out to lunch/dinner with a friend. We need to make time for ourselves; to restore our energy levels so that we can care for others. This needs to be a priority. We need to be a little selfish and let someone else take over so that we may have that time for us. Myself, I find sewing and quilting to be very satisfying, and of course, hitting a golf ball around on a nice day.

Carol Tibbals, Board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Virginia Women’s Center’s Henrico Doctors’ office.

As a women’s health nurse practitioner, I have had the pleasure of following many women through the various stages of life.  Because of these experiences, it’s very clear to me that how well we women do in managing the many stages and stressors of life – as mothers, wives, working women (including stay-at-home working moms), daughters and sisters – depends completely on taking care of ourselves.  I encourage patients to stress manage daily through exercise, healthy eating and, just as important, “down time” or “me time.”

I never used to do well with this and still struggle at times.  I do take time daily to read, at least 15 minutes a day, and to be active outdoors with my children and animals.  I’m confident that our taking care of ourselves translates directly into our good health.
 
Kelly Yeong, Board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Virginia Women’s Center’s St. Mary’s office.

As a mother of two girls and a full-time nurse practitioner, I am the last person to take time for myself! As women, we are naturally caretakers of everyone else, whether child, pet or friend. I encourage my patients to find an outlet and some time to do something they are passionate about. In taking my own advice, I have found the hobbies of photography and scrap-booking. Once a month, I get a babysitter and take time for my hobbies with friends. It helps to reduce my stress and hopefully be a more patient mother.

Elizabeth Compton, Board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Virginia Women’s Center’s St. Mary’s office.

What is a common question you get from your patients and how do you answer it?

I commonly am asked why I became a nurse practitioner. I went to school for pre-med, completed requirements for med school and although I sometimes appear like a doctor, I made the choice to be a nurse practitioner, because for me it is the best combination of nursing and medicine.

I chose the women’s health field because women are the caregivers of the world – what better population to preserve and uphold!

Nurse practitioners treat not just diseases but patients. Infused into disease and ailments are pain, worry, anxiety and discomfort. Appreciating the mind-body connection and anticipating potential complications of ailments is what I like to do best – that is, treating the soul/patient first. That’s nursing. Additionally, I like to have more flexibility in my time with patients to address those concerns and look for ways to preserve wellness, not just cure illness.

Catherine “Cat” Douglas, Board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Virginia Women’s Center’s St. Mary’s office.