Stress is an unavoidable factor in the life of a nurse. Nurses and their patients are at risk for high-stress levels, negatively impacting their health. In addition, nurses’ psychological distress raises the chance of medical mistakes and contributes to staff burnout and retention difficulties.
When stress is not dealt with, it can result in physical problems such as high blood pressure or sleeplessness and psychological health problems such as depression or anxiety. Fortunately, nurses may reduce stress to boost their general health and maintain energy in their jobs by using various methods. In addition, nurse leaders and instructors can also help decrease stress among nurses.
Often, nurses find themselves under pressure when they don’t know how to ask for help. Leaders can model good communication by openly asking for input, clarifying expectations, and giving feedback. They can also give nurses time for breaks and offer flexible work schedules. It will also help if you plan to continue your education online instead of going to physical classes. For example, if you are in Missouri, there are several good nursing schools in Missouri that offer an online program. It can help you manage your time better and not be caught up with work-related things the whole day (which is often the biggest reason for stress!)
What Causes Stress in Nurses?
Nurses are likely to confront external pressures on the job due to their environment, psychological or social circumstances. The following elements have all been found to be directly linked to nursing stress, according to recent research:
Workplace Conflicts: Often, nurses are caught in the middle of workplace conflicts between physicians and staff, physicians and patients, or nurses and patients.
Patient Care: The physical and emotional demands of providing care for patients can be taxing.
Time Pressure: The feeling that there is never enough time to do everything can be stressful.
Unpredictability: The ever-changing needs of patients and the fast-paced environment can be unpredictable and challenging.
Role Ambiguity: Nurses can feel stressed when they are unsure of their roles, or their positions are unclear.
Biological Clock Disorders: Nurses who work rotating or night shifts can often experience disruptions in their biological clocks, leading to fatigue and stress.
Bullying and Harassment: Coworkers, patients and their families, and even supervisors can engage in bullying and harassing behavior, which can be highly stressful.
Stress Management Tips for Nurses:
While stress is unavoidable at times, it may be controlled and is vital for a healthy and happy life. The suggestions and intervention techniques listed below may assist you in coping with and reducing stress.
Take Breaks Often:
It’s not an easy job attending to patients, answering calls, managing medication, and completing paperwork. To avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed, take a break every hour. Get up and walk around, drink some water, or eat a snack. Taking a walk or stretching every hour can help reduce stress too. When we give our minds a break from constant focus, it allows us to come back refreshed and better able to handle tasks.
Avoid Taking Work Home with You:
It’s justified to feel overly responsible for our patients and to want to make sure all our work is done perfectly. Still, if we don’t take a break from work, it will eventually affect our home life. Trying to do too much will lead to more stress and less quality time with our loved ones. So leave work at work and enjoy your time off. Spend time with family and friends, do things you enjoy, and get a good night’s sleep.
Talk to Your Manager:
If you are feeling stressed out, talk to your manager. Don’t try to deal with the stress on your own. Discussing the situation and finding a solution with your supervisor can help lighten the load. They may be able to reduce your shift hours, give you more help, or assign you less work. Always keep in mind that you make an integral part of the team. So, it would help if you didn’t hesitate to bring up your concerns with your colleagues either.
Join a Support Group:
Talking about our problems and feelings with people who understand is very helpful, especially if we feel stressed. Joining a support group can provide nurses with that outlet. Groups are available both in-person and online, making it easy to find one that meets your needs. Connecting with people and learning more about their experiences can make our problems feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
Practice Relaxation Techniques:
Everyone has different preferences for relaxation, but some popular techniques include yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. When practiced regularly, these activities can help us feel more calm and relaxed and can help manage stress. You can also try coloring, listening to music, spending time with your pet, or writing in a journal. The important thing is to find what works for you and to make time for it every day.
Use Positive Self-Talk:
We all have negative thoughts from time to time, but it’s essential to try and replace them with positive self-talk. For example, when we feel stressed, our thoughts can become pessimistic. Telling yourself things like “I can handle this” or “I have done this before, and I will do it again” can help to boost your confidence and morale. Repeating positive affirmations can help change how you think and feel, leading to a stress-free day!
Bottom Line:
Nurses are some of the busiest people we know. They are constantly pulled in different directions and juggle many tasks. So for their mental and physical health, it’s crucial to find ways to manage stress. A nurse’s well-being is directly proportional to the quality of care. If it helps, remember, your patients put their faith in you, so take care of yourself first so you can attend to their needs. If coping strategies and techniques are not working and you feel overworked, anxious, or stressed, you should get extra help. There are prescription medications that can help with anxiety and depression. In addition, your employer should be aware of this if you need time off work.
