Wellness symposium to aid healthcare workers
Healthcare workers are being invited for a day of self-care and wellness for the second annual “Nurses Promoting Wellness and Self-Care Symposium.”
The one-day workshop, presented by the Arizona Nurses Association Rio Colorado Yuma Chapter #7 and Yuma Regional Medical Center, will take place Saturday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YRMC Administration Building’s Yuma Conference Room, 2400 S. Avenue A.
“As healthcare providers, it is our nature to put the needs of others first. This is why we are caregivers and love what we do,” said Leslie Dalton, RN, Director of Clinical Education for YRMC in a statement. “At the Arizona Nurses Association Rio Colorado Yuma Chapter #7, we recognize this and wanted to offer health care providers in the Yuma-area a day of reflection and education. We hope this wellness symposium offers local caregivers the knowledge needed to make their wellness a priority and provides the tools needed to care for their own well-being too.”
Speakers will discuss various aspects of wellness such as finding peace, meditation and breathing, acupuncture, compassion fatigue and the power of shame during the workshop.
Last year was the inaugural year for the Nurses Promoting Self-Care & Wellness Symposium, which attracted 43 health care workers, according to Jason Bradley, President of the local Arizona Nurses Association chapter. This year, the association and YRMC are hoping to attract 50 or more to the symposium.
“This is an important event because health care professionals spend their lives giving themselves and their energy in service of others with compassion, caring and empathy,” Bradley told the Yuma Sun in an email. “It is vital that we all have awareness and the tools to promote our own personal wellness via self-care activities. Additionally, this event will help participants understand the health needs of the Yuma communities.
“All healthcare professionals or others who believe this event will promote their own self-care and wellness are welcome to register and attend,” he added.
Bradley noted that 15-minute chair massages, provided by the Arizona Western College Massage Therapy program, will be available for purchase during the workshop.
Along with relaxation and self care, Bradley said he hopes attendees of the workshop will take away an idea of the Yuma community health needs, ways to impact the findings as a healthcare professional as well as insights and self-awareness about aspects of life and work that can lead to burn out, fatigue, shame and other negative psychosocial outcomes.
The admission to the event is $30, which includes lunch and 5.5 CEU’s (continuing education units).
To register, visit https://form. jotform.us/JBradley17/2017-YumaWellness-SelfCareSymposium
For more information, email ldalton@yumaregional.org; jason.bradley@nau.edu; elizabeth.rossell@nau.edu or sperry176@q.com.