Nursing is a rewarding profession, but it can also be a stressful one. There are several factors that contribute to stress in the nursing profession, such as long shifts, maintaining a work-life balance and being called to help with unexpected medical emergencies. Each of these unique facets of a nurse’s job has the potential to contribute towards stress and nurse burnout.
What is Nurse Burnout?
Nurse burnout is physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. In a recent survey, 15.6% of nurses reported feelings of burnout. While burnout is not confined to nurses alone, it does have the potential to impact patients as well. Because burnout results in a lack of motivation, nurses experiencing burnout may not be as focused. This can become an issue towards the patients’ health and lead towards a lower patient satisfaction as well.
Taking proactive steps ahead of time is key when it comes to combatting stress. Getting ahead of your to-do list will help set you up for a win. When you find a balance to manage the stress in your life, you are more apt to live a happier and healthier life and prevent burnout. Fortunately, there are several things nurses can do to ease stress including the following:
5 Stress Management Tips
Taking proactive steps ahead of time is key when its comes to combatting stress. Getting ahead of your to-do list will help set you up for a win. When you are able to find a balance to manage the stress in your life, you are more apt to living a happier and healthier life and prevent burnout.
Being Organized.
Maintaining an organized lifestyle sets you up for success. Adding a sense of organization to your day-to-day contributes to a more motivated lifestyle. When you are able to set healthy limits, prioritize tasks and learn how to eliminate unnecessary items from your list, you can take steps towards managing your stress.
Use Nursing Resources.
There are several resources out there for nurses online. An example of one of these resources is Nursing World, a resource that covers a wide range of nursing specialties. However, there are resources that focus on specific settings such as schools and hospitals as well. Aside from online resources, nurses typically have access to other staff members that may work alongside them such as school counselors and social workers.
Let Things Go.
Being compassionate and empathetic often comes easily to nurses. It can be emotionally difficult to deal with some of the situations you may have, such as a student’s abuse, addiction, or even death. But you have to find ways to let the stress go.
Maintain a Good Work Life Balance.
Work is an important part of your life, but it’s essential not to let it become your entire life. Find a way to maintain a balance between your job and home life. Make time for friends, family, and hobbies. Maintaining balance helps you keep things in perspective, which may decrease stress.
Practice Good Health Habits.
It’s impossible to alleviate all stress, but practicing good health habits can help you cope better. Exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating well helps you recharge. When you’re feeling healthy, you are better prepared to deal with stress.
Hopefully, with the tips above, you can decrease your stress on and off the job. Which stress reduction techniques have worked for you?
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