Balancing Act: Strategies for Nurses To Improve Their Own Health and Well-being
Given the demanding nature of working as a nurse in the United States, nursing professionals often need to find ways to rest and relax outside of work. Balance and time for self-care are critical for nurses to offer their best self to their patients and avoid feeling burnt out after long days and nights of work. There are many strategies that nurses can employ to find balance outside of work, such as prioritizing their physical well-being, building stronger social connections, and setting boundaries with their work. Keep reading to discover the best ways to find balance during even the most challenging seasons of professional life. Prioritizing Physical Well-being Anyone in the nursing profession knows how important it is to maintain high energy levels. A regular exercise routine can help you build the strength and stamina needed for long work days. You must add balanced meals to your daily routine to give you the sustenance required for ten or twelve-hour shifts. At the end of a long day or night of work, getting enough sleep is essential to allow you to recharge ahead of your following working day. Try to find a wind-down routine that will enable you to switch off and go to bed without overthinking the challenges you’ve faced at work that day. Therapeutic activities, such as yoga, can also be a great way to add relaxation and rest to your weekly routine. Nurturing Mental Health In addition to taking care of physical health, nurses need to find ways to protect their mental health. (May is also Mental Health Month.) Engaging in hobbies and interests outside of work can take your mind off work stress and give you something to look forward to each week. We recommend meditation and mindfulness practices for nurses who struggle to switch their brains off from work mode at home. If you find everything is getting too much for you to handle alone, then remember that professional support is always available. No one should have to deal with so much stress alone, and taking care of your mental health is critical to performing your best at work each day. Building Strong Social Connections Every nurse needs people to share their lives and discuss their problems to survive and thrive. Holding everything inside and isolating yourself can only worsen stress, so spending time with friends and family is a great way to focus on something else. Participating in community activities can help you to connect with new people and expand your social circle. We also highly encourage nursing professionals to communicate with other nurses for support and camaraderie. While your friends and family can no doubt listen to your troubles, they will likely never really understand what it’s like each day at work. You can share stories and advice with those in your industry and learn tips and tricks to help find balance outside the hospital. Exploring Creative Outlets Artistic activities, such as painting, writing, or music, can allow nurses to express themselves and release some steam. Many nurses find crafting and DIY projects the perfect way to unwind after a long day and can help you switch your mind off before bed. Try to find joy in creative endeavors outside of the medical field. Remember, life isn’t just about working, and you’ll soon end up burnt out if you don’t work to add moments of enjoyment to your everyday routine. Embracing Nature and Outdoor Activities Working inside the walls of a healthcare facility each and every day can soon take its toll on your mental health and well-being. Spending time in nature and enjoying the outdoors is one of the best ways to refocus your mind. Hiking, camping, or nature walks are the perfect way to spend time off work. Gardening and spending time in green spaces can benefit your mental health and allow you to reconnect with the world outside of the hospital’s four walls. Nature has many therapeutic benefits, so if you spend too much time inside, schedule an outdoor activity on your next day off. Setting Boundaries and Managing Work-Life Balance Establishing clear boundaries between your work and personal life is one of the most important steps you can take to maintain your physical and mental health. We encourage you to learn about and implement time management techniques to balance work and your personal life well. Learning to say “no” is essential for any nurse who tends to work extra hours and be a “people-pleaser.” Prioritize self-care and realize this self-care is something you need to add to your schedule regularly to look after yourself and perform the best you can at your job. If you turn up to work exhausted each day, then it’s easier to make mistakes, which can be life-threatening in this industry. Final Thoughts Any nursing professional can use these strategies to help find balance and improve overall health. By getting into a healthy routine, nurses will notice a huge improvement in their overall outlook on life and a boost in energy. Propelus is also here to help. Our mission is to ensure healthcare professionals reach their full potential. That includes providing you with education and training, as well as ensuring you’re compliant, safe and healthy to work. Learn more about propelus.com.
Celebrating Student Nurse Day: Honoring the Future of Healthcare
A time to acknowledge and honor our future nurses Student Nurse Day is a perfect opportunity to recognize the dedication of those pursuing a career in nursing. Since registered nurses (RNs) undergo four years of nursing school to obtain their bachelor’s degree, it is meaningful to celebrate student nurses’ hard work and accomplishments. At Propelus, our mission is to power professionals throughout their careers, especially our future nurses. We understand the importance of supporting student nurses as they navigate their education and transition into their careers. In this blog, we’ll provide insights into the life of a student nurse, including their role in the healthcare system, the challenges they may face, their tech-driven learning environments, and ways you can support the student nurses involved with your organization on Student Nurse Day. The Role of Student Nurses in Healthcare Student nurses represent the future workforce. Despite sometimes not receiving as much credit as they deserve, their contributions are essential for improving patient care and advancing the nursing profession. Their dedication and hard work are critical components of the healthcare team, without which the system would struggle to function. Let’s take a closer look into some of the responsibilities of student nurses: Patient assignments Administering medications Performing a head-to-toe assessments Obtaining vital signs Bathing and dressing patients Feeding patients Charting all patient’s medical records Assisting with procedures Communicating with patients and family members Challenges Faced by Student Nurses Nursing school presents unique challenges due to the demanding nature of the nursing profession. According to the National League for Nursing, 20% of nursing students drop out, highlighting the program’s intensity. Unlike many other fields of study, student nurses face the rigorous challenges of clinical trials and real-life scenarios before graduating. They face a lot of pressure and expectations to perform at a high level. From juggling their academic load to the challenges of clinical rotations, all while dealing with financial burdens, it’s no wonder that student nurses experience a lot of stress. While these challenges can sometimes feel overbearing, they help prepare student nurses for their responsibilities when they become nurses. Let’s explore the three main areas where student nurses face these challenges in more detail. 1. Academic Challenges Academic challenges are a huge aspect of the student nursing journey. Employers expect student nurses to retain significant information within a short period. Their work requires a keen attention to detail, given its hands-on nature. From mastering procedures like starting an IV and inserting a catheter to conducting accurate patient assessments, they expect to excel in numerous areas simultaneously. Additionally, they must comprehend complex subjects like anatomy, physiology, clinical mathematics, and various medications’ names, actions, and side effects. Balancing each of these learning objectives, along with the curriculum and exams, creates a hefty workload on student nurses. 2. Clinical Challenges Nursing education blends intensive theoretical instruction in the classroom with extensive practical training in clinical settings. Unlike traditional classroom learning, clinical training offers nursing students opportunities for hands-on learning through exposure and application. The knowledge and principles learned early in nursing school are implemented to develop the mental, psychological, and psychomotor skills required for patient care (Jamshidi, Molazem, Sharif, Torabizadeh, and Kalyani). This dynamic learning environment is heavily focused on practical experience and comes with great stress and pressure. Frequently, students feel overwhelmed when demonstrating new responsibilities in front of their nursing instructors and peers during clinical rotations. The demands of these rotations can physically and mentally wear down students, causing many to drop out. 3. Financial Challenges Nursing school is costly for several reasons. For starters, tuition fees vary widely, ranging from approximately $7,000 for those pursuing an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to over $300,000 for students pursuing advanced graduate nursing degrees. The demanding nature of nursing programs, which includes attending rotating clinical placements and keeping up with the coursework, leaves little time for most nursing students to have a separate job. When living expenses are factored in, the financial burden can be substantial, adding to the stress experienced by students. Balancing these financial obligations along with academic and clinical responsibilities is extremely challenging and a big contributor to student stress. Celebrating and Supporting Student Nurses Student Nurse Day is an annual observance held on May 8th, coinciding with National Nurses Week. Its origins trace back to Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health in 1953 when she proposed for the U.S. to have a day dedicated to recognizing nurses. Although Sutherland’s initial proposal for a Nurse Day didn’t come to fruition, it spurred the recognition of National Nurse Week the following year. Sutherland played a pivotal role in bringing attention to the idea. Eventually, in 1998, the American Nurses Association established National Student Nurse Day to recognize student nurses’ diligence. In honor of Student Nurse Day, consider sharing stories and posts on your organizations’ social media platforms to highlight and acknowledge student nurses, sharing thank you notes with the students nurses involved with your organization, or providing a small token of appreciation. Resources for Student Nurses It’s common for student nurses to face burnout during their nursing education. A Swedish survey revealed burnout rates of 29.7% among first-year nursing students and 36.9% among second-year students. With burnout rates higher than most other academic paths, it is incredibly important for student nurses to seek out resources. Mentorship and peer support networks offer valuable insight into the field, providing advice and a listening ear when times get too overwhelming. It’s a great way to learn from others in the same position. Financial support through scholarship programs, grants, and financial aid is another avenue for students to explore. This assistance can significantly alleviate financial burdens in the long term. Here are some recommended organizations and programs offering resources for student nurses: American Nurses Association (ANA) community: Student Subscriber Program National Student Nurses Association, Inc. (NSNA): Prospective Nursing Student Resource Guide American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Student Membership Health Occupations Students Association (HOSA): Student Membership The
Celebrating Nurses Month: Honoring Extraordinary Compassion and Dedication
May is Nurses Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of nurses around the world. At Propelus, we are proud to join hands with The DAISY Foundation to honor the compassion, dedication, and positive impact within the nursing profession. A bit of background The DAISY Foundation stands as a testament to the enduring impact of nursing excellence. Established in 1999, this foundation was born out of a deeply personal journey. J. Patrick Barnes, a young man with a vibrant spirit, tragically lost his life to complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP). Throughout his illness, Patrick’s family witnessed firsthand the remarkable care and compassion provided by nurses. Moved by the profound impact of these nursing professionals, Patrick’s family sought to honor his memory in a meaningful way. They founded The DAISY Foundation, naming it in honor of Patrick’s nickname, “DAISY” (an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The foundation’s mission was clear: to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of nurses who provide compassionate and exceptional care. The cornerstone of The DAISY Foundation’s efforts is the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This prestigious award serves as a beacon of recognition for nurses who go above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating unwavering compassion, skill, and dedication in their care for patients and families. Since its inception, the DAISY Award has been presented to over 200,000 nurses worldwide, shining a spotlight on their remarkable achievements and inspiring others in the nursing community. Recognizing nurses In the United States alone, more than 5.2 million nurses play a pivotal role in promoting community well-being and resilience. These dedicated professionals often sacrifice precious time with loved ones, working tirelessly to provide comfort and care during life’s most challenging moments. And yet, despite the vital role they play in healthcare, the work of nurses is sometimes underappreciated. Here are Propelus (just like at The DAISY Foundation) we are committed to shining a spotlight on the compassion and positive impact within the nursing profession in the month of May and throughout the rest of the year. As part of our mission to power professionals, Propelus is committed to celebrating nursing excellence through our partnership with The DAISY Foundation. We believe that nurses are the unsung heroes of healthcare, providing comfort, support, and care across the continuum of care. As we celebrate Nurses Month, we want to take the time to recognize the recent winners of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award, honored at the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) conference. Natassia Singh, BSN, RN, CCRN, Karee Nicholson, RN, MSN, CENP, and Ashley Burris, RN, are shining examples of compassionate leadership and dedication to patient care. Their stories of going above and beyond to support their teams and improve patient outcomes are truly inspiring. We invite you to read more about Natassia, Karee, and Ashley, and their remarkable contributions to healthcare on The DAISY Foundation’s website. Throughout the month of May, Propelus will also be sharing content that recognizes and supports nurses. Keep an eye on our Propelus LinkedIn page for more updates! The wrap up Let May be a poignant reminder of the countless lives touched, hearts healed, and differences made by nurses around the world. These compassionate caregivers embody the essence of selflessness, dedicating themselves to the well-being of others with unwavering compassion and skill. Take this moment to come together and celebrate the nurses who bring comfort, healing, and hope to patients and families in their care. They are the unsung heroes of healthcare, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the best possible outcomes for those in need. To all nurses, we extend our deepest gratitude for your tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence. Your compassion, kindness, and skill make a world of difference, shaping the future of healthcare and touching lives in ways that words cannot fully express. Thank you for being the heart and soul of healthcare, for your compassion that knows no bounds, and for your unwavering commitment to healing and caring for others. This Nurses Month, and every day, we honor and celebrate you.