Work Related Stress

McKinney (2011) writes in "Withstanding the Pressure of the Profession" (Published in the March/April 2011 Journal for Nurses in Staff Development) that the nursing profession is a particularly stressful occupation.  The author goes on to write "It is evident that nurses cannot wait for administrators, middle managers, or other others to address their stress levels" (p. 71).  The proverbial "they" will not fix this problem either.  There are a multitude of self help books out there, all listing great resources and actions one can take to reduce stress.  YOU have to read them.  YOU have to take action.  No one else will or can fix your stress level.  

Nurses could be accused of "analysis paralysis", in that the situation is defined, analyzed, identified, recognized, named, listed, related to death. It is the action portion of the equation, that is often lacking or missing entirely.  We know that stress ruins our health, burns us out, makes us bullies, and tarnishes our reputation.  How many studies do we need before we take action to reduce the stress our work adds to our lives?  The solutions are there.  The evidence is there.  Are we in a cycle of using excuses rather than mustering a change? 

As an example, the literature is full of evidence that 8 hour shifts are better for us than the 12 hour shifts. They are also better for patients as less mistakes are made when nurses are NOT tired.

The literature identifies poor communication as a stressor, yet, how many of us take the time to learn and practice effective communication techniques and USE them at work.  What excuse do you use to just "shut up" and get through the shift?

McKinney (2011) searched the literature and found criticism, elevated responsibility, low levels of support, and sense of security at work as common stressors among physicians, nurses, and laboratory workers. As a profession, nurses, have a level of responsibility that equates to high vigilance.  Meaning, you are always on alert for subtle cues, adverse events, because patient care situations are extremely complex.  However, you can NOT stay on high alert for hours and hours without a break to re-charge. 

To build a healthy work environment takes commitment and ACTION. Necessary skills include reviewing the Nursing Standards of Practice and Professional Performance. Your work environment needs to be a place where nurses can practice ethically, with support from all for having moral courage.  It needs to be a place where there is ongoing collective, commitment to ongoing education, use of evidence based practice and research to inform practice, that practice must be of quality.  Nurses need to communicate with all persons effectively.  Nurses, no matter the title, must be leaders. Leadership is what is needed to initiate and sustain healing an unhealthy work environment.  All persons on the workforce must collaborate to ensure patients receive the best possible care. Nurses need to regularly evaluate their own practice, measuring themselves against standards of practice, identifying gaps in knowledge, skills, and ability...then formulate an ACTION that fills in those gaps.  Nurses need to use resources responsibly and be aware of the impact on the work environment ... the fiscal health of the work environment is everyone's concern.  
Do not be satisfied with the old saying...this is always how it has been...nothing we can do about it...you can make a difference...and the outcome will be a healthier YOU!