Hypnotherapy, Healing, & One Nurse Entrepreneur's Journey By Sharon M. O'Connor, RN, CHt. Published in “Confident Voices” 7/2011 Have you ever stopped to think about how many wonderful options are available to those of us in the field of nursing? Years ago while working as an "agency" nurse, it occurred to me that I never need to feel burned out. I could work as an ER nurse, occupational health nurse, school nurse and maybe even work for an insurance company. As health care in the US evolves, many of us will have an opportunity to help people in ways we might not have considered in the past. Almost 10 years ago, I decided I was ready for a change. I loved working nights in the ER but knew the lifestyle was less than perfect. I worked 12 hour nights and slept an average of 4 hours before going back to work the next night. I loved spending days with my husband, children and grandkids much more than sleeping. Besides, I felt I was meant to play a very different role in healing. In the ER, there was little time to give people emotional support. Yes, I did a good job of educating and supporting but the ER environment didn't allow for much hand holding. My friend Mary, also an RN was practicing hypnotherapy at the time and suggested I consider doing the same. I liked her suggestion. It has always been important to me to make a difference in people's lives. Practicing hypnotherapy could be the answer. A private practice would allow me make my own schedule and spend whatever time was needed with each patient and still have time for family and friends. Smoking cessation and changing habits (things we first think of) both play a big role in leading healthier lives. I studied to become a Certified Hypnotherapist and started seeing clients. I was delighted that my education and practice as an RN gave me a depth and breadth of experience that prepared me for hypnotherapy certification and key opportunities for its application. Even though I had always believed that the mind played a big role in our health, the changes I saw in my clients were truly amazing. Chip, a guy about 50 years old, came to see me because he was going to have a hip replacement. He was really fearful about any medical procedure and was an anxious guy anyway. We did two private sessions together. He had his surgery, healed quickly and had no postoperative pain. "The morning after my surgery, the nurse got me out of bed to walk. I had a tear in my eye. She said 'I know it hurts'.' No, you don't understand.' I said. This is the first time I've been pain free in years!'" The psoriasis he'd had for 20 years was also gone. Al, a healthy 35 year old, came to me because his broken arm hadn't healed after 9 months. His doctor wanted to do surgery. "I'm a hypochondriac. When I broke my arm, I knew it would it wouldn't heal and it hasn't. I know you can help me." I didn't share his confidence but I made 2 appointments to see him. The first time, we envisioned healing; the second time, I prepared him for surgery. His armed healed and he didn't have surgery then. About 5 years late he had another injury which did require surgery. "All your words came right back to me. 'Sit back, relax and let the professionals do what they do best'. I did really well." I've also reviewed many studies and learned that what I was seeing was very common. Blue Shield of California gave 941 women about to have surgery a Hypnotherapy CD. They saved an average of $2,000 per surgery as a result of quicker recovery, shorter hospital stays, and less pain. In fact, way back in 1958, there was enough evidence for the AMA to approve hypnotherapy as a medical practice. Right now, I'm doing some work with a Leighton, a wise CPA, MBA, who had an interesting observation. "We're seeing a paradigm shift in healthcare. Doctors who had in the past thought they were in control are learning that the patient plays a huge role in their own healing." Moving into the 21st century with these things in mind, my mission is to promote wellness and, when necessary, help people heal more quickly so they can lead healthier, happier and more productive lives. Parenthetically, this will reduce health care costs. I'm currently working on a new project called, the "Sound Mind Sound Body Corporate Wellness Plan". Sound Mind is an on demand download service providing my Guided Imagery and Hypnotherapy recordings. If you’d like to know more about this service/product, please contact me. Contact information: Sharon M. O'Connor, RN, CHt. Atlantic Complementary Medical Solutions, PO Box 668, Hampton, NH 03842 603-926-3332 Sharon@acmswellness.com www.acmswellness.com www.acmswellness.com/soundmind/ Please take time to Login as a member/guest to Sound Mind Sound Body Corporate Wellness Plan User Name nurses password newsletter

Hypnotherapy, Healing, &

One Nurse Entrepreneur's Journey

By Sharon M. O'Connor, RN, CHt.

Published in “Confident Voices” 7/2011

ave you ever stopped to think about how many wonderful options are available to those of us in the field of nursing? Years ago while working as an "agency" nurse, it occurred to me that I never need to feel burned out. I could work as an ER nurse, occupational health nurse, school nurse and maybe even work for an insurance company. As health care in the US evolves, many of us will have an opportunity to help people in ways we might not have considered in the past.

Almost 10 years ago, I decided I was ready for a change. I loved working nights in the ER but knew the lifestyle was less than perfect. I worked 12 hour nights and slept an average of 4 hours before going back to work the next night. I loved spending days with my husband, children and grandkids much more than sleeping. Besides, I felt I was meant to play a very different role in healing. In the ER, there was little time to give people emotional support. Yes, I did a good job of educating and supporting but the ER environment didn't allow for much hand holding.

My friend Mary, also an RN was practicing hypnotherapy at the time and suggested I consider doing the same.

I liked her suggestion. It has always been important to me to make a difference in people's lives. Practicing hypnotherapy could be the answer. A private practice would allow me make my own schedule and spend whatever time was needed with each patient and still have time for family and friends. Smoking cessation and changing habits (things we first think of) both play a big role in leading healthier lives. I studied to become a Certified Hypnotherapist and started seeing clients. I was delighted that my education and practice as an RN gave me a depth and breadth of experience that prepared me for hypnotherapy certification and key opportunities for its application.

Even though I had always believed that the mind played a big role in our health, the changes I saw in my clients were truly amazing.

Chip, a guy about 50 years old, came to see me because he was going to have a hip replacement. He was really fearful about any medical procedure and was an anxious guy anyway. We did two private sessions together. He had his surgery, healed quickly and had no postoperative pain. "The morning after my surgery, the nurse got me out of bed to walk. I had a tear in my eye. She said 'I know it hurts'.' No, you don't understand.' I said. This is the first time I've been pain free in years!'" The psoriasis he'd had for 20 years was also gone.

Al, a healthy 35 year old, came to me because his broken arm hadn't healed after 9 months. His doctor wanted to do surgery. "I'm a hypochondriac. When I broke my arm, I knew it would it wouldn't heal and it hasn't. I know you can help me." I didn't share his confidence but I made 2 appointments to see him. The first time, we envisioned healing; the second time, I prepared him for surgery. His armed healed and he didn't have surgery then. About 5 years late he had another injury which did require surgery. "All your words came right back to me. 'Sit back, relax and let the professionals do what they do best'. I did really well."

I've also reviewed many studies and learned that what I was seeing was very common. Blue Shield of California gave 941 women about to have surgery a Hypnotherapy CD. They saved an average of $2,000 per surgery as a result of quicker recovery, shorter hospital stays, and less pain. In fact, way back in 1958, there was enough evidence for the AMA to approve hypnotherapy as a medical practice.

Right now, I'm doing some work with a Leighton, a wise CPA, MBA, who had an interesting observation. "We're seeing a paradigm shift in healthcare. Doctors who had in the past thought they were in control are learning that the patient plays a huge role in their own healing."

Moving into the 21st century with these things in mind, my mission is to promote wellness and, when necessary, help people heal more quickly so they can lead healthier, happier and more productive lives. Parenthetically, this will reduce health care costs.

I'm currently working on a new project called, the "Sound Mind Sound Body Corporate Wellness Plan". Sound Mind is an on demand download service providing my Guided Imagery and Hypnotherapy recordings. If you’d like to know more about this service/product, please contact me.

Contact information:

Sharon M. O'Connor, RN, CHt.

Atlantic Complementary Medical Solutions, PO Box 668, Hampton, NH 03842

603-926-3332

Sharon@acmswellness.com

www.acmswellness.com www.acmswellness.com/soundmind/

Please take time to Login as a member/guest to Sound Mind Sound Body Corporate Wellness Plan

User Name nurses password newsletter