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Celebrating Self-Care Day: Tips From NPD Practitioners
July 21, 2023 — Percy Ittickathra, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC
Stephanie Zidek, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC
Naomi Fox, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN
Mary Smith, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NC-BC, AMB-BC, C-EFM, CCE
National Self-Care Day is July 24, a day recognized by the World Health Organization. Although this topic is one health care professionals are very familiar with, having a day set aside to evaluate current self-care practices and implement new ones is a perfect way to jumpstart a new habit.
In this article, members of ANPD’s Editorial Task Force share a few ways they implement self-care regularly, as well as new ideas they’ve recently discovered.
Tips for NPDs on Self-Care Day
1. Get outdoors, and read for a few minutes.
Percy Ittickathra, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC
2. Dedicate time for reflection and journaling.
Stephanie Zidek, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC
3. Find your passion. For Mary, passions include plants and coffee!
Mary Smith, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NC-BC, AMB-BC, C-EFM, CCE
4. Go for a run, and focus on an attitude of gratitude.
Naomi Fox, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN
This Self-Care Day, prioritize your well-being by doing something special or embracing a new habit. Consider trying one of the practices these NPDs ordered, or create your personalized self-care routine. Remember, even a small step can make a big difference in nurturing your overall well-being. You deserve some ‘you’ time and attention today.
Need a way to destress this Self-Care Day? ANPD’s Self-Care Bundle features three webinar recordings and a field guide designed around reducing stress. Just $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers, this bundle also provides three contact hours for viewers. Get your bundle today.
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Percy Ittickathra, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC
System Nursing Professional Development Specialist, Advocate Aurora HealthCare
Percy Ittickathra, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC, is a system nursing professional development specialist for Advocate Aurora HealthCare. She has a master's in nursing education from Grand Canyon University. She is a member of ANPD, her local ANPD affiliate, the ANPD Editorial Taskforce, and this year’s ANPD Leadership Academy Cohort. In her current role, she is the leader of the Return on Investment (ROI) subcommittee. The ROI subcommittee has been a driver of change and innovation that highlights and demonstrates the value of the NPD role. Percy has led three successful educational initiatives to promote understanding of ROI, led a team that developed two new and innovative ROI tools for the Advocate Health organization, and presented on ROI as both the ANPD convention and her local affiliate. Percy is passionate about ROI and helping NPD practitioners understand the economic impact of their work and how to demonstrate that to their organizational leadership.
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Stephanie Zidek, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC
Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development, Advocate Aurora HealthCare
Stephanie Zidek serves as a director of nursing education and professional development at Advocate Health for the Midwest region. Previously, she has held nursing leadership roles at the site, region, and system levels. Stephanie is pursuing her PhD studies at Indiana University, focusing on the effects of nurse well-being. She is certified in nursing professional development (NPD-BC), nursing executive advanced (NEA-BC), and as an adult gerontological clinical nurse specialist (AGCNS-BC). She was recently honored with the Belinda E. Peutz Award from the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) for exemplary leadership, identified as one of the “40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders” in Illinois, and selected as a member of the Young Professional Voices – Class of 2021 by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
Earlier this year, she was re-elected to the ANPD Board of Directors for a second term. She believes every nurse is a leader, from the bedside to the boardroom, and uses her platform to ensure nurses continue to shape practice, accelerate influence, and optimize outcomes. Outside of her professional role, you can find Stephanie chasing around her energetic toddler and spending quality time with her family.
Naomi Fox, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN
Director of Education, ANPD
Naomi Fox received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Thomas Edison State University. She is certified in critical care and nursing professional development. She has been a nurse for 14 years with a clinical background in critical care working for both a large teaching hospital and a community hospital.
Mary Smith, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NC-BC, AMB-BC, C-EFM, CCE
NPD Education Program Manager, ANPD
Mary Smith is ANPD’s NPD Education Program Manager. Leveraging 25 years of experience as a registered nurse and a graduate education in nursing, Mary is committed to serving the needs of the ANPD community. Mary is a published author and a national nursing publication peer reviewer, fostering the support of continued professional development and growth of nurses. She has experience spanning inpatient and outpatient work in obstetrical nursing, regulatory and nursing leadership, and as a nurse coach, which have provided a broad foundation for her continued work in nursing professional development with ANPD.