By Marli Naidoo

Nursing staff normally work under severe pressure and have to face challenges on a daily basis. However, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic this pressure has increased, and every nurse has even more than usual on her plate. Working hours are longer and medical staff have their hands full with this new viral disease.

Family and friends are not always sure how to give the necessary support to the nurses in their midst.

Nursing staff do not have time during their working day to process events and crises. This is where you as a family member come in. Be prepared to listen. Let her discuss her day with you and lend her a sympathetic ear.

Let her get enough rest. Take turns to cook and cook for more than one day at a time so that she does not have to think about preparing meals as well after work. Also, make sure the meals are healthy and high in nutritional value.

Give the children a bath and make sure they have been fed. See to it that their homework has been done and deal with communication with the school.

Don’t let the nurse return to chaos at home after work. Tidy up and clean the house so it will be an oasis after a long and exhausting day.

Ask her what she needs. Perhaps she just wants peace and quiet or perhaps a lovely hot bath.

Give her legs and feet a massage.

Make sure she knows that you appreciate her and that you are proud of her.

Help her not to feel that she is missing out on her family members’ lives. Tell her what is happening every day, what the children are up to and how everyone is doing.

Get the help of family members. Grandma and Grandpa can look after the children when she needs peace.

Ask her to make a list of things that need to be done and try to finalise as many of those things on the list as possible.

The nurse in your life needs to know that she does not have to hide her feelings. Give her a safe space to express her emotions.

Carry her in prayer and also pray with her before she goes to work.

Sources:

US News: https://health.usnews.com/conditions/articles/how-to-support-a-loved-one-who-is-a-nurse

Theraex Staffing Solutions: https://theraexstaffing.com/blog/how-to-support-your-nurse-spouse

Heal the Careers: https://www.healthecareers.com/article/career/make-your-nurse-spouse-happy