MEDIA RELEASE 25 October, 2023 Leading Australian healthcare and executive recruitment agency Talent Quarter Group has appointed experienced hospital CEO David Swan as its new chair. David brings a wealth of experience in private and health services to the role, including 30 years as a CEO of major hospitals around the country. His appointment caps off an incredible year for Talent Quarter Group (TQG), which has increased its revenue by 116 per cent, grown its team by 60 per cent, and added new service lines including a clinical services division. “Our team is very excited to welcome David, who has such incredible experience in the healthcare sector,” TQG Managing Director Sue Healy said. “David has held Chief Executive roles in hospitals and healthcare services where he’s overseen large workforces, so he has that real-life experience in the organisations we place people into. “His expertise and knowledge will really shape our business as we build upon the impact, we’re having on Australia’s healthcare system by connecting the best talent with the best opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives.” David most recently served as CEO of St Vincent’s Private Hospitals, a large private healthcare company spanning Victoria, NSW and Queensland. He has also led public, not-for-profit and private health services in South Australia, Tasmania and NSW, and ran the South Australian public health system for six years. He’s excited about stepping into the chair role at Talent Quarter Group (TQG), which has three core divisions: Healthcare recruitment provider Talent Quarter; search, advisory and coaching firm Executive Quarter; and Disability Service Provision and Specialist Support Coordination provider TQ Care. “There’s no doubt Talent Quarter Group is purpose-led, which is what attracted me to the role,” he said. “I’m very impressed with both the leadership and the culture of the organisation – it’s very positive and making an incredible contribution to meet resource needs right across Australia’s healthcare system.” David said he appreciated the value of Talent Quarter as specialists in placing healthcare and social care staff, particularly in regional and remote areas. “Having spent nearly a decade in rural health, I really see the benefit Talent Quarter can bring to those communities by connecting organisations with the right talent who can deliver healthcare locally,” he said. “I love that they have a strong focus on rural and remote communities. I know, from experience, that these communities struggle to get the health clinicians and the expertise required to have much-needed health services available locally.” ENDS More information: Melissa Grant at Bespoken, melissa.grant@bespokenagency.com.au / 0402 717 107.

Workers in remote locations can be at greater risk of mental, and sometimes even physical, harm. While these workers play such a valuable role in their communities, the reality is they are often working away from home in unfamiliar settings where help is not always nearby. Therefore, safety needs to stay front of mind to reduce the risk of injury, illness and death. It’s something that is not lost on us at Talent Quarter as we place nurses, allied health workers and social workers in jobs at remote locations across the country, from Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to Cape York in Far North Queensland. While we have checks and balances in place, it’s crucial that workers being placed in remote and rural areas have a good sense of their own safety from the get-go. Understanding the risks Communities in remote areas can sometimes have high levels of unemployment, mental health issues and crime. It is important to understand the specific issues that apply in the area you are moving to, as well as the support available to you. Before starting a job in a remote location, you should consider questions including: What kind of community are you going into? Where are the closest emergency services? If you’re feeling isolated, who can you call for support? What are you going to do if you find yourself working with equipment you aren’t confident operating? Are you equipped to deal with challenging work scenarios? It’s also important to research the community you’re relocating to ensure you are aware of the culture, people and challenges you will encounter. When you arrive at your new location, safe accommodation with lockable doors and windows is a must. Gayle’s Law Health workers should never work on their own. In South Australia and Queensland legislation referred to as ‘Gayle’s Law’ requires remote health workers to be accompanied when going on unscheduled or after-hours callouts. The law is named after Gayle Woodford who was raped and beaten to death in 2016 while she was the on-call nurse in the remote town of Fregon on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in South Australia. She was lured out of her house by a man who claimed there was a medical emergency. It’s a tragedy that highlights the need to take extra precautions when working in remote communities. Fatigue and workplace hazards It’s second nature for health workers to want to help people. Even if they’re taking a well-earned break following a 12-hour shift, they won’t hesitate to care for a patient in need. Fatigue can increase the risk of injury in the workplace, so it’s important for health workers to take the necessary breaks and only work the amount of overtime they’re legally allowed to do. Those from metropolitan areas may also find themselves working with equipment they aren’t familiar with, which can pose an injury risk. Hoists in regional hospitals, for example, may be older than those they are used to working with. Checks and balances It’s important for employers and recruitment agencies to stay connected to people they place into jobs in remote areas. Workers need to know there is someone they can call anytime, anywhere for help. That includes in the wee hours. Recently I took a call from a nurse at 5.45am as she was experiencing issues with a connecting flight to a remote area. At Talent Quarter, we also make regular safety calls to see how a worker is going, to ensure they feel happy and safe. Working remotely is tough – you’re away from your loved ones, operating in an isolated environment and, in some cases, under really challenging circumstances. We ensure our placements, like our internal employees, have access to employee assistance programs (EAPs) that provide free, professional and counselling services. A final word on safety  My team would never place anyone in a situation where we wouldn’t place our mothers, fathers, sisters or brothers. My husband works in a high-risk role, so workplace safety is something I’m really passionate about. “Everybody has the right to leave home for work and return home safely.” Jan Bannerman Managing Director, Talent Quarter

When we think about workplace safety, the first thing that tends to come to mind is the risk of injury from physical hazards. However, an employee’s mental well-being is just as critical, even if not visible to the naked eye. That’s why it’s crucial workers are ‘mentally fit’ or, in other words, have a good ability to think clearly and make good decisions. Fatigue and burnout Mental health is in the spotlight more than ever as organisations have grown to understand the importance of psychological health and safety in the workplace and the causal link which can lead to psychological or physical harm. And when it comes to adverse impacts, fatigue and burnout must be considered. Working extremely long hours, particularly across a prolonged period of time, can affect your cognitive function, putting you – and your colleagues and clients – at risk of psychological and physical injury. At Talent Quarter, we have systems and checks in place to identify risks to both our internal employees and on-hired workforce that include nurses, aged care workers, disability and youth workers and allied health professionals. Conducting site visits, undertaking risk assessments, and having strong systems in place to manage work hours and overtime are essential to eliminate psychosocial risks or minimise them so far as is reasonably practicable. Talent Quarter’s on-hired workforce are required to be on high alert, aware of their environment, and play a crucial role in identifying hazards and providing feedback for review. At times, for a variety of reasons, there can be pressure to work long hours, so we make a point of having respectful conversations with our clients to ensure our workforce gets their necessary breaks, minimising the risk of fatigue and burnout. Engaging in proactive conversations to manage fatigue is important because the individuals we place, such as nurses or disability workers, are naturally inclined to want to be there for their patients and are therefore willing to work long hours. All organisations need to manage fatigue carefully to ensure their risk is reduced. Being mentally prepared for the job Having a poor understanding of your role – potentially through lack of communication around requirements or responsibilities – can have a detrimental effect on your mental capacity to perform it. For example, you might be brought on to do a certain task, but when you arrive, you’re told to do something else and don’t know what you’re in for. These situations can result in a staff member becoming disengaged, which means their head is not in the right space. That’s not to mention the risk of physical harm if the task involves operating equipment they are unfamiliar with. Not having a solid understanding of how to use a certain type of machinery can lead to a physical injury. Organisations must understand their duty of care and be mindful when placing people in roles where they’re unfamiliar with the work environment – be it a residential home, facility or hospital – and/or the personnel. Ensuring a proper induction is provided by an authorised representative at the host site forms the foundation for this process – providing an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue around safety measures and response procedures. Check in with yourself Workers have a responsibility to help safeguard their own mental wellbeing and safety. It’s crucial to check in with yourself on a regular basis. Taking a few minutes to ask yourself questions like: ‘Do I need support?’ ‘Do I have a good work-life balance?’ ‘Do I have a balanced diet?’ ‘Do I need to rest a bit more?’ ‘Am I OK to drive?’ The last question, in particular, is really important in light of concerning road safety statistics. You don’t want to put yourself – or individuals under your care – at risk on the road. At Talent Quarter, we have an EAP (employee assistant program) called Uprise that offers counselling and wellbeing support services to both our internal employees and on-hired workforce. They can self-check in, receive a mental health score and compare it with previous scores to get a good sense of how they are travelling. See the signs In widening the focus of mental wellbeing beyond self-care to look out for others, it can be challenging to see when someone else is struggling with their mental health. Common indicators can include changes in behaviour, social disengagement and even physical symptoms. If you see someone struggling, respectfully ask them if they are OK. There are various avenues for support, and often taking the first step and letting someone know you are struggling is the most difficult. “Let’s look out for ourselves and one another to keep our workplaces safe.” By James Francis Risk and Governance Lead at Talent Quarter

Recruiting people living with a disability can be a tricky topic, but it is one that needs to be discussed if we are to achieve true inclusivity in the workforce. The truth is, there is still a lot of apprehension around hiring people with disabilities, and much of it is still rooted in misunderstanding. A lot of it comes from not knowing. If you haven’t been around people with disabilities there can be many unknowns, and often it’s in our nature to shy away from the unfamiliar. So unfortunately, when someone discloses during the recruitment process that they are living with a disability, they’re often pushed down the shortlist – sometimes without recruiters or hiring managers even knowing it. Some employers worry they could be accused of discrimination if they need to make a big business decision and let go of someone living with a disability. Or they aren’t sure how to meet their accessibility needs in the workplace. Sadly, it’s these types of thought patterns that can prevent people with disability from even making it to the interview stage. What’s needed is a concerted effort to focus on what candidates can do rather than what they can’t do, and it requires a conscious thought to change. Quite simply, we need to break down the barriers so those doing the hiring understand that just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t make them different to any other candidate. Everyone is employed for their capacity to do a job and perform, and that’s what candidates should be judged on. The truth is, people living with a disability often work harder to prove themselves and show they are more than capable. They absolutely shouldn’t have to, but they do, because all too often they’re underestimated. It may sound cliché, but many employers are failing to see the ability in disability. While the dial has shifted, it hasn’t moved enough. Many of us are not considering the talent pool, experience and capabilities of those living with disability. Sure, there are organisations out there advocating and putting these talented individuals at the forefront of their consideration, but they are still a small minority. At Talent Quarter, we are passionate about providing inclusive workplaces for all. We have team members living with a disability and practice an all-inclusive approach to recruitment for our clients. Our Managing Director, Sue Healy, is a board member of The Field, a website that welcomes job seekers with visible and non-visible disability, mental ill-health, neurodiversity, chronic illness, intellectual disability or with any workplace accessibility requirements. The Field was created to help people with a disability who want to work with organisations that hire more inclusively. Led and driven by people with a disability, it’s an incredible platform that helps companies get more diverse talent. There is also a host of helpful information on the site, including tips about how to make your workplace more disability inclusive. Ensuring you have an inclusive workplace where people with a disability can thrive is one step. Another is to communicate that this is the case, particularly when you advertise a position. Jobs posted on The Field, for example, have a list of accessibility features, which can go a long way in encouraging someone with a disability to apply. I think, as an industry, we could all learn a lot from the steps undertaken by The Field and make a collective effort to change the way we advertise jobs, interview and consider our shortlists. Lives are defined by opportunities. Unfortunately, getting them can be difficult when you are living with a disability. We all have an important role to play in opening the door to opportunity so those candidates with a disability come knocking, rather than having to continually knock down barriers. Kate Healy-Smith Chief Operating Officer, Talent Quarter Group

Talent Quarter Group (TQG) has appointed one of Australia’s most highly regarded clinical workforce solutions professionals to head up its new business division. Corrine Taylor will lead TQG’s Clinical Services division, which provides top-level search for highly specialised and hard-to-fill roles within the clinical space across Australia and New Zealand. The Clinical Services team will partner extensively with the other divisions within Talent Quarter and the Executive Quarter (EQ) business to maximise health sector opportunities for the broader business group, which is experiencing significant growth. With a career that spans more than 20 years and has seen her place thousands of medical practitioners and health professionals into roles throughout the Trans-Tasman, Singapore and the Middle East, Corrine brings an incredible wealth of experience to TQG. “We’re very excited to welcome Corrine, who is one of Australia’s top workforce solution specialists in healthcare, to the business,” TQG Managing Director Sue Healy said. “Corrine has held various senior executive and director roles and owned and run medical, nursing, aged care, and social and community locum and permanent recruitment businesses. “She has also collaborated with public health facilities throughout Australia on key health workforce challenges, which have seen her involved in numerous meetings with federal and state health ministers and shadow ministers to obtain funding for specific projects and campaigns. “We are excited about Corrine leading our new Clinical Services division, which will really build on the impact we’re having on our healthcare system by connecting senior level clinical candidates domestically and internationally with opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives.” Corrine is the Chair of the Association of Medical Recruiters Australia & New Zealand and holds an appointment on the Association of Nursing Recruitment Agencies council. She recently completed a four-year term as the Health and Medical Director on the Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association (RCSA) board, and holds roles with the Australian Medical Council and Queensland Health. Corrine is excited about heading a division that will source candidates not actively in the job market who have incredible skillsets to make an impact in healthcare settings across Australia and New Zealand. She is working alongside Elena Ryan, who specialises in research and targeted search, with extensive experience across a range of industries and functions including global executive searches and talent mapping. “The Clinical Services division will deliver long-term health solutions in the clinical space, largely in communities that lack highly specialised health practitioners,” Corrine said. “It is something I am incredibly proud to be doing, given the positive impact it will have on healthcare systems in Australia and New Zealand. “Throughout my career, I have travelled extensively and developed relationships with health professionals and hospitals throughout the world. “I have personally and professionally lived and breathed in this sector for a long time. I have deep networks in healthcare and a strong understanding of federal and state statutory and stakeholder processes and requirements, which I’m excited to bring to Talent Quarter Group (TQG).”  Corrine’s appointment caps off an incredible 12 months for TQG, which has increased its revenue by 116 per cent, grown its team by 60 per cent, and added the Clinical Services division and other new service lines.

Discovering and embracing one’s purpose is crucial for healthcare professionals, providing direction, clarity, and motivation in their daily roles. The pursuit of purpose not only influences personal satisfaction but also enhances the ability to make meaningful contributions to patient care and leave a lasting impact on the healthcare system. Understanding Goals and Purpose In the healthcare field, a sense of purpose is paramount for setting meaningful goals aligned with one’s values. Goals act as specific targets or outcomes that healthcare professionals strive for, providing direction, motivation, and a profound sense of purpose. Whether focusing on personal development, career aspirations, patient care, or organizational objectives, goals guide efforts and actions towards accomplishing something meaningful. Short-term or long-term, these goals are set with clear, measurable criteria to track progress and ensure success. Psychological Perspective on Purpose Psychologists define purpose as the intention to achieve a long-term, personally meaningful goal that positively impacts the world. As you journey through the various stages of life—navigating identity, adulthood, and retirement—your sense of purpose is bound to evolve. Rather than being a fixed destination, purpose is a continuous journey and practice, accessible at any age when you delve into what truly matters to you, and take actions to embody that essence. By revisiting and revitalizing your sense of purpose during significant milestones and transitions, this opens the door to a more gratifying and meaningful life. Nurturing Purpose: A Guide Cultivating purpose involves integrating four crucial elements: Dedicated Commitment Personal Meaningfulness Goal-Directedness Vision (larger than oneself) This journey often entails blending experiences with an exploration of values, skills, and aspirations for a better world. Here are some purpose-finding exercises: Envision with Impact: Reflect on your surroundings—the home, community, and the broader world. Imagine possessing a magic wand with the power to change anything. Delve into why you made specific choices and brainstorm practical steps to bring the world closer to your envisioned ideal. Future Vision Exercise: Picture yourself a decade or two ahead, envisioning an optimal life scenario. Consider your activities, priorities, and what truly matters to you. Reflect on why these aspects are significant. Embracing an ideal self in this exercise can amplify optimism, a factor strongly linked to a sense of purpose, according to researchers. Define Your Core Values: If pinpointing your top priorities proves challenging, reinforcing your values can provide clarity. Uncover Your Strengths: Reach out to those familiar with you—teachers, friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. Inquire about your strengths, passions, and potential contributions to the world. External perspectives often offer valuable insights to help identify and leverage your strengths effectively. Engage in Volunteering: Discovering purpose is enhanced through diverse, meaningful experiences that guide you. Volunteering broadens your knowledge, enhances well-being, and contributes positively to the world. Additionally, volunteering connects you with like-minded individuals who may offer inspiration and reveal unforeseen opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Nurture Positive Feelings: Cultivating positive emotions expands our perspective, fuels our energy for altruistic actions, and aids in discovering purpose. Specifically, practicing gratitude and experiencing awe fosters care for others, strengthens relationships, and instills a sense of connection to something beyond ourselves. Creating a One-Year Vision Plan In healthcare, goals and purpose differ, with goals serving as specific accomplishments contributing to one’s ultimate purpose. Authentic healthcare goals, satisfying personal needs and delivering emotional benefits, lead to a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Developing a one-year vision plan involves reflecting on the past, defining success, and envisioning an ideal future in healthcare. Distinguishing Goals and Purpose: Goals and purpose differ fundamentally. Goals, specific and finite accomplishments, serve your overarching purpose, like meaningful contributions to patient care and the healthcare system. Authentic goals, intrinsically fulfilling, prove more achievable than those driven by financial gain or external expectations. As Sonja Lyubomirsky notes, authentic goals fulfill your needs, offering emotional rewards such as accomplishment, pride, and happiness. These achievements range from ambitious endeavors like organizing community campaigns to simple acts like teaching your child to conserve energy by turning off lights. Ask Yourself: Reflect on your calling within healthcare and identify authentic goals that can be accomplished in the next year, aligning with your purpose. Consider specific details and timelines to guide your actions. Your One-Year Vision: Imagine your ideal day one year from today. Picture your anticipated way of life—your surroundings, activities, and the people you’re with. Your one-year vision sets the foundation for achieving goals that contribute to your overarching purpose. Your one-year vision is set and you have a new purpose in life! Wishing you a 2024 filled with good health, happiness and much prosperity.

Australia’s regional towns offer an incredible lifestyle that combines career opportunities with a strong sense of community, affordability, and a connection to nature. As more healthcare professionals seek a balanced way of living, regional Australia is becoming an increasingly attractive option for those looking to escape the hustle of the major cities. So why should you consider living and working in regional Australia? First and foremost, for many, compared to capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne, regional Australia offers more affordable housing, lower living costs, and a better quality of life. Whether you’re renting or buying, you’ll often get more space for less money, making it ideal for families and professionals looking to establish long-term roots. Contrary to common misconceptions, regional areas are home to thriving industries such as agriculture, mining, tourism, education, and renewable energy and of course have expanding healthcare needs. With government incentives and regional job programs, skilled professionals can find rewarding career paths in growing sectors. Many organisations and facilities in regional towns are actively seeking talent, offering competitive salaries and work-life balance. One of the biggest perks of regional living is the slower pace of life. Forget long commutes—living in a regional town often means you can get to work in minutes rather than hours. With more time to enjoy nature, connect with the local community, and participate in outdoor activities, life feels less stressful and more fulfilling. ‘Australia is an extraordinarily beautiful place, and we should be, and can be, very proud of it.’ And regional Australia is known for its strong sense of community. Whether you’re moving as a single person, couple, or family, you’ll find welcoming locals and opportunities to engage in community events, sports clubs, and local initiatives. Unlike city life, where people can feel anonymous, regional living fosters meaningful connections. Now, while the benefits are numerous, there are challenges to consider if you’re considering relocating on either a temporary or permanent basis. Some regional areas may fewer entertainment options or a smaller social scene compared to major cities. So, what are our tips for a successful move to regional Australia Research the Area: Look into housing, schools, and lifestyle options before making a decision. Leverage Incentives: The Australian government offers regional relocation incentives and visa pathways for skilled workers. Build a Support Network: Engage with the community through local events, social groups, and networking opportunities. Living and working in regional Australia offers a fulfilling alternative to city life, with affordable housing, career opportunities, a strong sense of community, and a better work-life balance.  Whether you’re looking for a fresh start, career growth, or a change in lifestyle, regional Australia has something unique to offer.

Hospitals and other health care facilities hire agency nurses as a flexible, efficient, and cost-effective staffing solution. Whether filling short-term gaps or providing long-term support, agency nurses help hospitals maintain high-quality patient care while managing workforce challenges. Healthcare facilities most often are required to operate 24/7 and need consistent staffing to maintain patient care. Agency nurses are readily available to fill shifts caused by: Staff shortages due to illness, leave, or vacancies; To cover roles whilst the facility is recruiting for permanent staff; To manage scheduled absences, like for example, planned parental leave; Sudden increases in patient admission rates; and/or Unexpected emergencies or crisis situations. Healthcare facilities face constant challenges in maintaining adequate staffing levels while ensuring high-quality patient care. In our most recent Healthcare Job Index Survey, more than three-quarters of the healthcare hiring professionals we spoke with, reported staff shortages, increasing to 91% of public hospitals across Australia reporting staff shortages in the same survey. One effective solution is employing agency nurses. Whether covering staff shortages, seasonal fluctuations, or unexpected absences, agency nurses offer numerous benefits to hospitals, aged care facilities, and clinics. Here are some of the reasons why hiring an agency nurse could be the right decision for your healthcare facility. Immediate availability & flexibility One of the biggest advantages of agency nurses is their immediate availability. Healthcare needs can be unpredictable, and having access to a pool of qualified professionals ensures that shifts are covered quickly. This flexibility allows facilities to maintain optimal patient care without overburdening permanent staff. Reduced Staff Burnout Overworked and understaffed healthcare teams face higher levels of stress and burnout. By employing agency nurses, facilities can distribute workloads more evenly, reducing fatigue, stress, and turnover rates among permanent staff. A well-balanced team leads to better morale and improved patient outcomes. Access to unique skills Agency nurses bring a diverse range of skills and experiences from working across different healthcare settings. Their adaptability allows them to integrate quickly into new environments, bringing fresh perspectives and best practices to improve patient care and team efficiency. Cost-Effective Staffing Solutions Hiring permanent staff involves long-term commitments, training costs, and on costs. In contrast, agency nurses provide a cost-effective solution by filling immediate gaps without the expenses of recruitment and onboarding. Facilities only pay for the time and expertise they need, making it an efficient use of resources. Enhances Patient Care & Safety When understaffing occurs, patient care can suffer. Employing agency nurses ensures that nurse-to-patient ratios remain balanced, leading to safer, higher-quality care. With their extensive experience in various settings, agency nurses are skilled at quickly assessing situations and adapting to facility protocols. Support During Peak Periods Hospitals and aged care facilities often experience seasonal surges, such as flu season or increased patient admissions. Instead of overburdening existing staff, agency nurses provide essential support during these busy periods, ensuring continuous, high-quality care. Trial Before Permanent Hiring For facilities considering long-term staffing solutions, employing agency nurses allows them to assess a candidate’s fit before offering a permanent role. This reduces hiring risks and ensures the right professionals are selected for long-term positions. Compliance & Accreditation Reputable nursing agencies, like Talent Quarter, thoroughly vet and credential their nurses, ensuring they meet industry standards and regulations. This saves healthcare facilities valuable time and effort while guaranteeing compliance with accreditation requirements. Talent Quarter goes so far as to pulse the AHPRA database every day, to ensure that there have been no changes to a nurse’s registration whilst they are working with a client. Final Thoughts Employing agency nurses is a practical, flexible, and cost-effective solution for healthcare facilities looking to maintain excellent patient care while managing workforce challenges. If you’re considering hiring an agency nurse, you’d be in good company as just under 50% of hiring professionals who responded to our Healthcare Job Index survey are also planning to hire new staff, with 17% expecting to rely on agency support to fill vacancies.  From reducing burnout to ensuring seamless operations during peak times, agency nurses will always play a vital role in supporting the healthcare industry.

Support Work is deeply rewarding, but it can also be emotionally and physically demanding. Care workers often face high-pressure situations, emotional challenges, and long hours, all of which can contribute to both high levels of stress and anxiety. Managing your well-being is crucial, not just for yourself, but also for the individuals you care for. Here are some suggested strategies which you might find useful, to help you maintain balance and resilience in your role. Recognise the signs of stress and anxiety You can’t manage your stress if you don’t realise your stressed, so it’s essential to recognise the symptoms. Common signs of stress may include: Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained Having difficulty sleeping or having constant fatigue Irritability or mood swings Headaches or muscle tension Loss of motivation or job satisfaction By identifying these symptoms early, you can try to take proactive steps to address them before they escalate. Set healthy boundaries Support work often involves forming close relationships with clients but setting emotional and physical boundaries is key to preventing burnout. Learn to define clear work and personal time and say no, when necessary, without feeling guilty. If you can, avoid overextending yourself with extra shifts or responsibilities. Prioritise your own care Taking care of yourself enables you to care for others effectively, so try to make time for: Regular exercise to relieve stress and boost energy Healthy eating habits to fuel your body and mind Adequate sleep to recharge and improve concentration Hobbies and leisure activities (or other things that you enjoy) to maintain a fulfilling personal life Develop coping strategies If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed or your stress is building, having practical techniques to handle stress in the moment is crucial. Try one or more of the following and see what works for you: Breathing exercises to calm the nervous system Mindfulness and meditation to stay present and reduce anxiety Journaling to process emotions and reflect on positive experiences Look for support from your friends, family or colleagues You don’t have to handle stress alone. Build a support network by talking to friends, family or colleagues, the latter will instantly understand your challenges. Seek guidance from supervisors or mentors if you’re comfortable doing so and of course, you can always access professional counselling or employee assistance programs. Focus on the Positive Impact of Your Work While support care can be challenging, it’s also incredibly fulfilling. Remind yourself: Of the difference you’re making in people’s lives Of the moments when client’s express their gratitude That small acts of kindness can have a significant impact Stress and anxiety are natural in any demanding profession, but they don’t have to take over your well-being. By implementing these strategies, you can maintain a healthier balance, protect your mental health, and continue providing exceptional care.  If you’re struggling with stress, don’t hesitate to seek professional support—it’s a sign of strength, not weakness. Remember, caring for yourself is just as important as caring for others.