Self-care…Why Nurses Need It!
What is Self-Care?
The World Health Organization defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.”1
Why is Self-Care Important for Nurses?
There are many incredible and rewarding moments that come with being a Registered Nurse. From having the opportunity to be a part of a patients journey to healing in their most vulnerable times, to learning something new each and every shift, and having the opportunity to work anywhere in the world (such as the United States), there is much to love about being a Registered Nurse.
However, by providing care to those in their most vulnerable moments or being exposed to challenging and at times, even heartbreaking clinical situations such as with a loss of a patient, it is important that nurses invest in themselves so that they are best able to take care of others.
Self-care is a form of investment that can prevent and mitigate the impact that stressful shifts, physical and emotional demands, and difficult days can have on Registered Nurses, which in turn is important in preventing burnout and improving patient care outcomes.
How are Nurses at High Risk for Burnout?
The World Health Organization defines burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” and can include “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from ones job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”2
Burnout is not specific to the nursing profession and can occur in any occupational setting. However, given that nurses are often exposed to stressful and challenging situations, they are at high risk of developing burnout if preventative measures are not in place. Without the proper self-care, resources, and control over one’s environment, burnout may continue to impact one’s life and work performance and even lead to health related issues such as a lack of energy, fatigue, insomnia, or depression.3 This may further result in higher absenteeism in the workplace and have a negative impact on the quality of care and patient care outcomes.3 The best way to manage burnout is to prevent it from taking place in the first place, in the form of self-care.
How can Nurses Perform Self-Care?
To successfully perform self-care the nurse should separate and invest their energy and time into the following five areas of health which include:
1. Physical Health
2. Mental Health
3. Emotional Health
4. Social Health
Self-Care Strategies
1. Physical Health Promotion Self-Care Strategies
· Ensure you consume adequate nutrition and fluids
· Meal prep to promote a healthy and consistent diet
· Keep your skin hydrated
· Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day (e.g. lift weights, go for a bike ride, run on the treadmill, etc.)
· Maintain a healthy BMI
· Focus on getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night
· Stretch daily
· Go for a walk or take a hike
2. Mental Health Promotion Self-Care Strategies
· Declutter your living space
· Keep your home and vehicle clean
· Practice good hygiene
· Spend time in nature
· Disconnect from technology, especially before bedtime
· Practice self-affirmations
· Reach out to a therapist or councillor if needed
· Debrief after work
· Go on a road trip
· Minimize caffeine intake if you suffer from anxiety
· Read a book, color, paint, or watch a movie
3. Emotional Health Promotion Self-Care Strategies
· Meditate
· Perform Yoga
· Take a bath
· Create a healthy bedtime routine
· Limit caffeine intake after the morning
· Listen to music or a podcast and go for a walk or take a drive
· Journal
· Reflect
· Practice deep breathing
· Set realistic expectations and goals for yourself
· Create a routine and structure for how your days off will look
· Be kind and forgive others
· Get a coffee or tea and spend time at your favorite spot in your town or city
· Don’t feel guilty treating yourself
4. Social Health Promotion Self-Care Strategies
· Reach out to family or friends, even if it’s just over the phone
· Become involved in your community (e.g. join an adult social and sports team, club, community garden, etc.)
· Invest in relationships that bring you happiness and avoid those that bring you stress
· Volunteer
· Join a committee at work
Being a nurse is an incredible profession, with high job security and satisfaction, the ability to help others and make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families and is full of excitement knowing that no two days are the same. In order to best support our patients, families, communities, and those we care about, we must first invest in ourselves in the form of self-care.
References
1. What do we mean by self-care? The World Health Organization. Accessed April 2021. https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/self-care-interventions/definitions/en/
2. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. The World Health Organization. Accessed April 2021. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
3. Mudallal, R. H., Othman, W. M., & Al Hassan, N. F. (2017). Nurses' Burnout: The Influence of Leader Empowering Behaviors, Work Conditions, and Demographic Traits. Inquiry: a journal of medical care organization, provision and financing, 54, 46958017724944. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958017724944
Ready to apply? If you are ready to begin your application to become a US Registered Nurse with Medliant International Healthcare Staffing please reach out to us on our Medliant Website, Facebook (Medliant International Healthcare Staffing), or Instagram (@medliant).
You can also email your resume to nursebrennan@medliant.com to start your application. Let Medliant help you begin making your American Dream come true today!
