Elite Nursing Magazine - Issue 1

Don’t forget your flu vaccine The flu vaccine is available every year and comes in slightly different strains to fight the adapting cold and flu conditions. Keep yourself healthy so you can get the vaccine. Nurses usually tell patients to get the flu shot by the end of October, so keep that timeline in mind for yourself as well. Drink plenty of water to fight the cold and flu If you feel yourself starting to come down with a slight cold or cough, remember to take time to treat it. Even a minor cold can develop into more serious upper-respiratory symptoms, so don’t neglect your symptoms. Drinking plenty of water is an excellent prevention tool and a smart treatment after you get a cold. Many people are not drinking the correct amount of water they should be per day, so you may be under-hydrated and not realize it. As many as 75% of Americans are chronically dehydratedY ou should be getting at least eight glasses of water a day if not more.

Get regular checkups and eat a healthy diet Keeping up with your own regular doc - tor’s checkups are just as crucial for you as they are for your patients. Make sure your blood tests and hormone levels are regular and make sure you get a balanced, healthy diet. These are all beneficial ways to keep the immune system and other body systems healthy. You want to make sure that you are in good condition to keep up with the demanding task of being a nurse. If your immune system is compromised, you won’t be able to care for patients efficiently, and you will be more prone to catching a cold.

THE EVERYDAY NURSE

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