5 Issues Nurses Face and How To Combat it

Nursing is a rewarding and a good money-making career. It does, however, come with many challenges. Nursing is a career that is infamous for experiencing burnout. Nurses face difficult situations day in and day out that can be physically and mentally exhausting. Not to mention actually dangerous at times.

I have been a nurse for over 30 years and have gained some insight on overcoming these obstacles without having to walk away from your years of experience and love for caregiving.

Let’s look at some of the biggest issues the nurse faces.

1. Long hours/swing shifts/mandatory overtime

From 8 to 12-hour shifts, going from day shift to afternoon or night shift every couple weeks to mandatory overtime, sometimes a nurse’s body and brain just cannot go on doing it any more.

2. Emotional attachments to patients

This is most common with long term care and private duty. Nurses spend endless hours with a client. Then the end comes. The nurse is often left with genuine heart break and sadness. This can wear on any person and lead to burnout or depression.

3. Physical demands

Lifting & rolling patients, bending & leaning, and walking an average of 8000 steps per shift speaks for itself. Nurses are exhausted after a long shift. And sometimes injured.

4. Exposure to illness

Even when following safety guidelines, nurses are still at risk of being exposed to illnesses on a regular basis. Respiratory illness and exposure to diseases from accidental needle sticks are always a very real risk.

5. Shortage of nurses

Shortages in nursing staff leads to errors, work/home life imbalance and all of the problems listed above. And then some.

Pretty much every nurse experiences these things and the reality is that preventing burnout and overcoming these issues is not easy but here are some tips:

• Have a consistent sleep schedule

This is not always easy to do ESPECIALLY if you work swing shifts but try to get a consistent amount of sleep per night and a regular bedtime when possible.

• Eat well

We know. Eat a well-balanced diet. We are nurses. Of course we know. Not always easy to do when you are on your feet all day and just too tired to get creative or missing lunch because your short staffed. Best bet is to try and pack low carb, high protein snacks/lunch for at work and meal prep on your days off.

• Delegate at home more/Ask for help

Hire help when you can. Get family involved in chores and picking up the kids. Make a chore chart. Do whatever it takes to get the load off at home.

• Make time to relax

It doesn’t matter if laundry needs put away. Pay a teen neighbor to do it or leave it. Either way, you must relax some. Hot baths, movie nights, a good book… whatever that looks like to the individual, take an actual break!

• Set boundaries

Just say no. No to extra shifts, no to the school bake sale, no to a friend for coffee. Of course we have responsibilities and have to do these things but it is OK to say no sometimes. Decline being involved with something just once per month and use that time for yourself or your family.

• Have someone to talk to

Find someone to talk to that is not judgmental or negative. A counselor, sister, spouse or mother can be that person as long as they are a good listener. Sometimes they can even help you come up with ideas to “downsize” your responsibilities!

• Reduce external stressors

Avoid toxic relationships and situations when possible. Cut out the negative from your life. Focus on positive things around you.

• Change to a less stressful position (usually pays less)

This is a hard one. Money is important but so is your sanity and physical health. Sometimes a less paying, but far less stressful job is worth it.

• Become a nurse business owner

Most nurses do not know the vast amount of business opportunities available that are a great fit for a nurse. Some even require zero start up costs! There are some great and unique (not done to death) business opportunities out there. To sign up for a list of 23 Not Done To Death Nurse Business Ideas, go HERE!

Being a nurse is so rewarding and the pay is good. However, sometimes, burn out in inevitable and you have to change things up. The greatest part is that there are so many opportunities for the nurse! You are not stuck!!

For more business ideas, sales tips and more, check out Senior Living Academy on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. To learn about starting a senior living advisor service, visit www.seniorliving.academy.

 DeAnna Naumann

Author, Nurse, Owner of Patriarch Placement & Alpha Air Quality, Founder of Senior Living Academy