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5 Self-Care Strategies for Nurses
As you advance in your nursing career, be sure to make time for yourself.
As a nurse, you earn the trust of patients and their families every single day, often in incredibly high-pressure situations. So, it’s no surprise that 92% of nurses in one study said their stress levels were moderate to very high.1 But here’s the good news: That same study also found that using healthy coping techniques can make a real difference in managing stress.
Self-care is essential in a profession built around helping others. Think of the classic airline safety reminder: Put on your oxygen mask before assisting those around you. You can apply the same principle to your nursing career. When you take care of yourself first, you’re in a better position to care for your patients.
In an article about self-care practices on Nurse.org, board-certified nurse coach Keith Carlson encourages you to apply familiar clinical practices to your own self-care. Start with assessing your current state of well-being and then create a plan you can monitor and adjust over time. Here are five strategies the author recommends:2
- Assess
“The nursing process begins with assessment, so one of your first actions is conducting an assessment of how you care for yourself,” he writes. One way to start is with a mindful body scan. Tune in to how each part of your body feels and consciously release tension. Take this approach beyond the physical. How are you doing emotionally, mentally, and spiritually? Take inventory of your current needs. - Diagnose
What’s missing from your routine? What needs to change? This step is all about identifying the areas where your self-care is falling short. Being honest with yourself, without judgment, helps lay the groundwork for real change. - Plan
Once you’ve identified the gaps, it’s time to make a plan. Lean into the skills you’ve developed as a nurse: set goals, prioritize, and personalize. Your plan doesn’t have to be elaborate. Go for a walk with a friend, or with your dog. Relax into a good book. Nurses also say they relieve stress by talking with friends and family, listening to music, watching TV, praying or meditating, and enjoying favorite foods.1 - Implement
Now put your plan into motion. Break your goals down into manageable steps so they’re easier to accomplish. Track your progress. Action leads to momentum and momentum leads to change. - Evaluate
Just like in nursing, evaluation closes the loop. How did you do? Check in regularly to see what’s working and what isn’t. Adjust your self-care plan as needed. This step ensures your self-care evolves with you and stays effective over time. Take time to celebrate your successes and remember: When it comes to self-care, there’s no time for guilt.
Help Yourself, Learn to Help Others
Learning how to manage your own stress is a powerful step. But by earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, you can gain advanced knowledge and skills you can use to support other nurses in managing stress and prioritizing their well-being. The best online MSN degree programs offer specializations like Nursing Education, which provides the foundation for RNs who want to teach and train nurses.
“Being a nurse educator allows one to provide the information needed to deal with nursing stress,” says Dr. Mary A. Bemker, an adjunct faculty member in Walden University’s College of Nursing. “A webinar in mindfulness, creating a journal club … are some solid ways that nurse educators can promote health and well-being among nurses.”
Walden’s MSN online degree program gives you the chance to focus your learning on one of nine specializations:
Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care
Specialty Practice
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Education
- Nurse Executive
- Public Health Nursing
Walden offers other online programs for nursing. There’s the CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) online degree program, and for nurses who have already earned an MSN, there are two doctoral programs: a Doctor of Nursing (DNP) and a PhD in Nursing. Walden also offers an innovative Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) dual degree program.
As a leader in distance education for more than 50 years, Walden understands that working professionals need flexibility to achieve their education goals. All of Walden’s online nursing programs let you earn a degree while staying active in your nursing career and personal life.
Visit Walden online to learn more or call an Enrollment Specialist at (855) 646-5286. Learn how earning your MSN from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. may help you achieve your career goals.
Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering online degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as online certificate programs. Advance your education and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.hindawi.com/journals/nrp/2016/5843256/
2Source: https://nurse.org/articles/5-steps-to-nursing-wellness
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).