Nurses use a lot words to describe their profession, but there’s one you’ll never hear: Easy. There’s no denying the load placed on nurses and other healthcare professionals is intensely stressful. Even when you’ve worked in the field for years, sometimes it can get to be too much. Here are some great stress management tips to help you handle the pressure.
Find a Better Work-Life Balance
Every time you clock in, you deal with issues people outside of nursing rarely face – if ever. Sometimes, the only solution to the stress is to take a step back. This doesn’t have to mean working less, although that may be an excellent option for some. Finding a healthy work-life balance can mean making better use of your time off. Is there something that truly helps you unwind, that you enjoy doing and that makes you happy when you are less busy? Making yourself a priority during your time off can help you deal with your stress.
Trust Your Co-Workers and Ask Them for Advice
In a high-stress environment, sometimes it’s difficult to connect with your co-workers, but this shouldn’t be the case. Your fellow nurses can do more than just help you with your work load; they can be a valuable source of guidance and emotional support. Talk to your co-workers about your job. Ask what stress-management strategies they use. You’ll be surprised how big of a difference it makes to have a trusted friend by your side.
Catch Up on Sleep
Many RNs work irregular hours, perhaps even switching between night and day shifts. Even when you have a fairly predictable schedule, it can be hard to unwind after a busy, 12-hour shift (especially when you have to be back for another one in the morning). This is why it’s so important that you not leave your sleep schedule to chance. Rather than resigning yourself to be miserable on your days on, train yourself to get to sleep on-time, no matter what.
Recognize When You Need a Change
Nursing is a field with many open doors; sometimes we realize too late that we walked through the wrong one. If you find that your current position doesn’t make you happy, don’t stubbornly plug along hoping that a switch will flip in your head. There are many exciting RN positions out there for you – all you need to do is look.
If you’re ready for a change, Expert Staffing can help!
We specialize in matching talented, driven nurses and healthcare professionals to the facilities that can keep them happy and thriving. We staff facilities throughout Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, so we’re confident we can find the right job for you. Contact us today to learn more about our part-time, full-time, or temporary RN positions.
