Dear Fellow Nurse,

If you are a younger nurse, this may be surprising, but in 1982 when I first started working as a nurse at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, some nurses actually smoked during report. That’s right. It’s hard to image that people were allowed to smoke in hospitals, let alone nurses!

Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since those days. We can be proud that as nurses, we play a pivotal role in spreading wellness. In a recent survey, nurses reported that they significantly influence patients’ health decisions, behaviors and treatment compliance.

The wellness team at Spectrum LifeWorks wants to help you connect to us and others to share experiences. This month, we are launching a Facebook page so that we can reach out to you and offer a place to pass on your wellness strategies, ask questions and continue to support one another.

We’ve also started a Twitter account to keep you informed about the latest health-related research and wellness strategies. Take a moment now to visit our Facebook page and sign up to follow us on Twitter. Talk to you online!

Be well,

Janet Fontana, RN, MA

Eggs Got a Bad Rap

“Many of my clients assume that eggs are bad for them,” says Jen Fournier, RD. According to Jen, eggs have gotten a bad name from the riff raff on the plate – butter, cheese, bacon, sausage and more cheese.

Eggs provide a grounding energy to the start of your day and only have 70 calories. Poach it, boil it or fry it with some olive oil. Enjoy with whole grain bread and a piece of fruit!

For more great food tips, check out Jen’s nursing CE webinar, “Creating Meals for Lasting Satisfaction and Energy.”

Wellness Research

Now that Fall is upon us, it’s virtually impossible for most of us to get enough vitamin D from the sun. Numerous studies indicate that high levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of obesity, autoimmune diseases, depression, metabolic syndrome and breast cancer.

A Nurses Health Study found a 23 percent lower risk for breast cancer with higher vitamin D levels and the Women’s Health Study found a 35 percent lower risk. A study published in the August 2010 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that high levels of vitamin D may help prevent breast cancer recurrence.

Have you had your vitamin D level checked?

Need a good laugh?

Research shows that children up to pre-school age laugh about 300 times a day; adults only laugh about 15 times a day. As humorist Rosemary Verri says, “Laughter is a feel good exercise – no one is too old or too young to benefit.”

Laughter boosts immunity, relieves pain, lowers stress and can help protect against heart disease.

How many times have you laughed today? In her funny, upbeat webinar “Laugh for the Health of It,” Rosemary will help you make room for laughter.

Wellness study needs you

Thanks to over 230,000 female nurses who have participated in the Nurses’ Health Studies, we’ve learned a lot about how foods, exercise, and medications can affect a woman’s risk of developing cancer & other serious health conditions.

Now the Nurses Health Study is seeking female nurses, between 22 and 45 years old to join their new study.

Free Nursing CE Webinar

Have you taken advantage of our complimentary CE webinar offer yet? The offer expires on November 15th. Reserve your free program now. You’ll have up to 30 days to finish viewing the presentation.

Enter coupon code: FreeCE at checkout. Feel free to share this opportunity with your friends. The more, the merrier!