Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers available, but it’s also one of the most challenging. Although most professional nurses report high job satisfaction and a strong sense of purpose and accomplishment, they will also at times speak about how stressful their role is and the risks of depression, exhaustion, or burnout.
Everyone that goes into nursing knows that the job is highly demanding, both physically and emotionally. Nurses need to have a sense of vocation that will see them through long hours, hard work, and often difficult situations. But besides cultivating a natural resilience, nurses and potential nurses should be aware of the most common challenges they will face, as well as the tools and practices that are available for overcoming them.
Staff shortages
Because nurses are in such high demand, there are often not enough of them to go around. Due to numerous causes, including an aging population, there are sometimes not enough nurses in a particular hospital or institution to cover sick leave, holidays, or periods when there are more patients than usual requiring care.
While agency staff are often brought in to help, those nurses that are available will generally be required to work extra shifts, often at short notice. In addition, they may find that their workload during their shift has increased, as they effectively have to do the job of two people instead of one.
In these situations, nurses will need excellent time-management skills and will need to prioritize tasks, making sure that the most urgent or vital are dealt with first. Most importantly, however, the nursing staff must work as a team, looking out for each other and making sure that everything is done efficiently.
Overlong or changing shifts
Long shifts are par for the course in nursing but having to work two shifts back-to-back can be draining, even for experienced practitioners. In addition, nurses may also find that their schedules frequently change, with shifts being canceled or moved at the last minute. Changing shifts can affect your sleep patterns, leading to exhaustion, poor mental health, and the risk of making mistakes at work.
If you feel that too much is being asked of you, don’t suffer in silence. Speak to your supervisor or line manager about your concerns. Hospitals have to comply with regulations regarding hours worked, nurse-to-patient ratios, and general health and safety. Flagging concerns will contribute to a healthy, efficient environment where best practice is followed at all times.
You should also tell your colleagues that you are struggling so that they can help. Overlong shifts can mean the quality of your work can suffer, as well as your own health. Make sure you use your breaks for rest and relaxation, rather than for catching up on other chores, such as admin. Be aware of any support you’re entitled to and take full advantage of it.
Stress and burnout
Unfortunately, high-stress levels, depression, and emotional burnout are the leading causes of nurses quitting the profession. Long hours and hard work in a demanding role with a lot of responsibility and pressure can easily take its toll. Not every patient pulls through, despite the best efforts of nurses, and sometimes it’s hard not to become emotionally attached.
Plenty of sleep, exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and practices, such as mindfulness and meditation, can all help, as can seeing a professional counselor if it all feels like too much. Many nurses also find that continuing their professional development through further education is a great way to manage stress and the challenges of the job. Focusing on becoming a better nurse keeps you engaged and makes you feel more capable and confident, with greater knowledge and fresh perspectives on your work.
You can study for a Master of Science in nursing — a family nurse practitioner degree — while you work, via a course like the Texas Woman’s University online MSN-FNP program. If you’re not currently employed, you’ll be helped to secure a top-quality clinical placement. Becoming better qualified will broaden your field of expertise, increase your employability and improve your knowledge, leading to less stress and the ability to feel more in control of your working life.
Difficult patients
As a nurse, you’ll often deal with people in extreme circumstances, who may be frightened, angry, and anxious. Patients dealing with pain, discomfort, and sometimes life-changing injuries are not always at their best, and nurses may unfairly bear the brunt of their upset or resentment. Medication can also have side effects, including confusion and anxiety, and you may have to deal with patients who have psychiatric problems or issues with drugs or alcohol.
The important thing is to not take any of this personally and to remain calm at all times. Try to maintain empathy with the patient and to understand why they feel this way, even if they are expressing their feelings badly. At the same time, you should make it clear that verbal or physical abuse won’t be tolerated, and you may need to step away if they continue to behave aggressively.
Make sure your colleagues are aware if you have a difficult patient so that they can support you. While your focus should be on doing your job effectively, it’s OK to take a break if you feel it’s best for both you and the patient.
Changing technology
Medicine is a particularly technology-driven sector, and while advances usually make life easier for medical professionals, staying abreast of new technology, and the new practices that come with it, can be a major challenge. Many nurses cite keeping electronic medical records (EMRs) up-to-date as one of their most onerous and stressful tasks, largely because this admin chore takes them away from patient care.
Make a point of keeping up-to-date with new innovations, by reading professional magazines or online sources. Continue to study and gain new qualifications so that you can adapt to a changing workplace and seize opportunities to learn new skills. Make sure you understand why technology is being introduced and what its purpose is, so that you can explain it, if necessary, to patients and their families.
Despite all of these challenges, it bears repeating that most nurses would not swap their professions for any other. Good coping strategies, an excellent support network, continued learning and the help of your colleagues should see you through all the ups and downs of your nursing career.