Nurses deal with medical emergencies and endure long working hours daily. Sometimes, it takes a toll on their health and productivity. Working under pressure means you don’t give the job your utmost concentration. To prevent burnout, nurses are advised to create a work-life balance. This means a harmonious way of integrating your professional and personal life such that none suffers. If you work in a dynamic organization, it is crucial to strike a balance because you will feel unfulfilled if you don’t.
These five strategies can help nursing professionals maintain a healthy work-life balance:
Invest in self-care
While nursing is a profitable and satisfying venture, nurses hardly get enough sleep, exercise or eat well. It’s mostly about catering to the needs of their patients. Yes, giving your job your best is fantastic, but preserve your essence while at it. According to the National Sleep Foundation, an adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep daily. You need to adjust your schedule if you are not getting enough sleep. Also, eating healthy helps you stay healthy and alert while working. Exercise, too, boosts your energy levels and activates dormant muscles. There are many ways to care for yourself while working your regular shift.
Ask for help
The saying that ‘no man is an island’ plays out here. If you find your responsibilities overwhelming, ask your colleagues for help. Better still, inform your superior to lessen the workload. Coming back home after an overloaded day makes you less productive. You are so tired that nothing else matters more than a long sleep. You do not have sufficient time to attend to pressing issues, like your kids, spouse or online courses. Feel free to express yourself in the workplace whenever you’re burdened with work. It’s not fair to place your work above your health and well-being.
Create a realistic schedule
Is your current shift perfect for you? Does it give you ample time to plan your life? Does it make you more efficient? Some nurses work better during morning shifts, but others prefer the night. Many hospitals allow nurses to choose the best shift for them, considering their current situation. For instance, a nursing mother may not be assigned to work all night since she has a child to cater to. Study your organization to see how easy it is for staff to change their shift. Most importantly, your choice depends on your energy level and the number of hours you can work.
Define your purpose
Do you know you can be a nurse and achieve other goals? While dedicating your life to vulnerable people, you can carve out some time to become an excellent author, mother, basketballer, etc. Embracing the calling is sometimes overwhelming but starts with a determined mind. Defining your greater purpose helps you create a niche for yourself. That’s why, when completing their studies, nurses are given the tools and knowledge to prepare for their career. The UIndy accelerated nursing program, for example, provides real-world experience through in-person clinical placements. Students are also part of a diverse community where they interact with experts in the nursing field. The best part of enrolling is that it combines soft and hard skills for nurses to survive and have a fulfilling career in the industry.
Guard your emotional health
Nurses are caregivers, parents, siblings and professionals. They wear several garbs, depending on the situation. They are often so caught up in the web of caring for others that they do not care for themselves. Your emotional health is as important as that of your patients. It takes an emotionally healthy nurse to talk a patient out of depression. When you dedicate time to caring for your mental health, you’ll realize you emit so much energy that your patients can feel it from a distance. You don’t need to interact with them for them to feel your love and care toward them. One way to live an emotionally healthy life is by surrounding yourself with positive people. People who spur you to greatness should be your Number One friends, and those with negative thoughts must be avoided at all costs. Paying attention to all aspects of your life makes you understand yourself better. When you face difficult situations at work, please speak to a superior about it or seek expert advice.
If you’ve had a series of stressful days at work and are already going bonkers, relax. It is because you’ve not thought about a way out of it. These tips will help you live a productive life in and outside the workplace. Ensure you implement them and share them with your friends facing the same issue.
