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Nursing Stress and Burnout

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Joshua Keller
Nursing Stress and Burnout

Nursing stress and burnout does not need much introduction from me! I have yet to find a nurse who has never felt stressed at some point at work. I am sure you have all seen the effects of nursing, stress and burnout amongst colleagues and possibly yourselves.

Paradoxically, as nurses, we often have a role to play in educating patients about managing stress. But how many of us "walk the talk"? Do we really do what we preach? Nursing stress and burnout can be minimized by taking our own advice!

I have known many nurses who are their own "worst enemies". They continually leave work late, do not take proper breaks (even when they can!), take on extra projects or tasks which are not essential. Yes, these nurses are dedicated and are doing a brilliant job. But at what cost to their health and work/life balance?

The thing is, I also know excellent nurses who do go home on time (well, most of the time!) do take regular breaks and know when to say no to extra work. These nurses are no less dedicated and are also doing a brilliant job.

Which one are you?

Learning to minimise and manage our own stress is a major part of our personal development. How you deal with stress makes a difference. Maybe you need just change workplace? If you think so, turn to new grad nursing resume service and get professional resume.

What is Stress?
There are many definitions for stress. The one that I like best was given by Hans Selye M.D back in 1936 as:

Sabre toothed tigers and stress!

Stress was originally a survival tool. Back in cave man days, having a substantial stress response meant you survived! When that big sabre toothed tiger you intended to kill for your supper, turned around and decided to hunt you instead what happened? Your stress response was activated and you ran as fast as you could – the other way!

Nursing stress and burnout

Today, nursing does not have sabre toothed tigers (well not where I work!). What nurses do have are staff shortages, unpredictable workloads, dying patients, anxious relatives and emergency situations to name but a few.

Nurses also have the many other everyday demands of life – caring for young or elderly family members, extra studying to keep up to date, shopping, housework, DIY and I am sure you can add the rest!

Good Stress

It is easy to think of stress as bad. Stress also has advantages! It can arouse our senses and can make us feel energised. Stress makes us feel challenged and helps us to perform at our best. “Good” stress is sometimes called "eustress" (McVicar, 2003). What would life be like without any stress at all – we would never feel excitement or exhilaration. All those theme parks would have a hard time selling tickets!

Stress is subjective, what is one person’s excitement and challenge is another persons nightmare!

The problem comes when stress starts to negatively affect our lives.

Stages of Stress
According to the work of Hans Selye (1978), stress has 3 stages:

The Alarm Phase
This occurs when we perceive a threat (real or imagined). We all know that feeling! Our adrenal glands spring into action releasing adrenaline and noradrenaline and cortisol.

The body is prepared for action! We are ready for fight or flight.The effects we notice include: increased heart and breathing rates, sweating, muscles tense, the digestive system slows down (butterflies), pupils dilate.

The Adaptive/Resistant Phase
If the source of stress continues, further stress hormones are released to help us to cope. If this phase continues without periods of relaxation, our energy stores start to become depleted. This may show as anxiety, irritation over small things, sleep patterns changes, feeling tired, susceptibility to acute illness such as colds and flu, increase use of alcohol or smoking.

The Exhaustion Phase
Chronic stress leading to burnout. The body has run out of energy and the immune system is depleted. This eventually leads to mental and physical exhaustion and illness (hypertension, heart disorders, mental health problems).

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Joshua Keller
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