According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is one of the highest-paid and sought-after careers in the US healthcare industry. Nursing is a rewarding profession both financially and morally, but it is also a very stressful job.
Most of the time, nurses are primary caregivers; they have to pay an equal amount of attention to many patients. Not only that, but they also have to show compassion, be patient with patients, deal with medical emergencies, and log in long exhausting hours. All of this stress can lead to burnout and quickly throw off the work-life balance. However, listed below are a few tips that can help nurses manage their professional responsibilities without affecting their personal lives too much. So, if you're a nurse looking for advice on how to strike the perfect balance between work and life, continue reading.
Manage your time properly
As a nurse, your passion for serving humanity may often take up more time from your life than you expected. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious and compassionate. Still, if you aren't managing your working hours properly, then you can't escape burnout. And a burnt-out nurse is no good for anyone. Therefore, make it a priority to practice good time management as a step towards achieving a healthy work-life balance.
It is challenging for nurses to say no to a patient's demand even when the working hours are over. However, if you keep doing overtime, how will you make time for self-care or other endeavors such as continuing education? So, draft a healthy schedule that has slots for breaks and dinner dates, and time for upskilling your practice with higher education. If you're pursuing a terminal degree in nursing, you might want to make good use of time-management tools and apps to keep yourself on track. Getting a DNP is no joke!
Give importance to self-care
Taking care of yourself and listening to your body is extremely important. Although many professional factors can stress you out, you don't need to add the stress of a tired body. Therefore, invest a good chunk of your time into taking care of yourself. Practice more medication and prioritize your "beauty sleep." You cannot enjoy taking care of patients if your body is always exhausted.
One of the most important things to look out for in self-care is your mental well-being. You should identify the job parts that cause stress and work out coping strategies for a healthier workplace experience. If you feel that the stress requires professional help, do not hesitate to see a mental health counselor.
Use technology to your advantage
Technology can help you to manage your work more efficiently. As a nurse, you must keep tabs on all of your patients' needs. This can become a challenging task to fulfill if you are not tech-savvy. You might be working overtime making files and taking notes which ultimately leads to exhaustion. Try to make your workspace work for you by cutting downtime with the help of technology. For instance, why not use healthcare record management apps and systems instead of stacking manual records?
Similarly, you can use different nursing apps to eliminate time-consuming tasks from your routine. Pedi Stat is an app that lets you access patients' information instantly from online databases. Or you can use the Pill Identifier app to quickly search for medications based on their color, drug name, and imprint.
Always take your breaks
Skipping breaks can become frequent while working in a fast-paced workplace such as a healthcare facility. However, it is necessary to take a breather now and then if you want to provide quality care to patients and maintain proper balance in your routine. Invest in creating your escape and your downtime by relaxing in ways you prefer. If catching a break seems challenging to manage, try simple breathing and stretching exercises between your rounds on the floor.
However, if you do have time for structured breaks, take full advantage of them and slip away from work. You can enjoy that time in solitude by listening to music, taking a power nap, or you can go out with colleagues for a meal or catch up with friends. Sometimes, one of the best ways to find work-life balance is to take a day or two off and indulge in a recreational activity.
Pay close attention to your diet
It is almost impossible to keep up a balanced diet as a nurse when there are long hours and irregular shift patterns. However, bad eating habits can lead to a decline in your physical and mental health. This will eventually lead to exhausting and messing up professional tasks and a personal routine.
Your body must remain energized both inside and outside of work. So, instead of living off of the vending machine, try to stick to a diet that doesn't leave you feeling malnourished and lethargic. Focus on nutritious meals so that you can break out of the "work, eat, sleep" cycle and make some time for your personal life. Prepare meals in advance if you have a busy week ahead, and ensure to include as many food groups in your meals as possible. That way, you'll always be energized.
Conclusion
Achieving a healthy work-life balance as a nurse takes time. It is important to discover what strategies and tips work for you and stick with them. Don't run after perfection and let yourself slowly transition to a life where work is not everything. Try clearing your mind of work once you hit home, and avoid getting updates on the phone unless it's an emergency. Ensure you are getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet. Take out time for personal commitments by eliminating unnecessary tasks at work. Last but not least, seek the support of friends and family if things get chaotic.
