Self-Care for Nurses Because YOU Make a Difference

Nurses work tirelessly to improve patient outcomes, support the medical community and advocate for their patients. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 4.7 million registered nurses work nationwide, making nurses the largest component of the healthcare workforce.  

The importance of nurses cannot be overstated, as nurses make a difference in the lives of countless people, often in ways that go unnoticed. Therefore, nurses must take care of themselves to avoid burnout so they can continue to enhance the well-being and lives of others. Healthcare leaders, policymakers and nurses must prioritize self-care for nurses to help address today’s nursing shortage, battle burnout and improve job satisfaction for healthcare workers.  

In this blog, we will discuss nurses' importance, how they make a difference and the critical need for self-care in nursing.  

The Importance of Nurses and How You Make a Difference 

Nurses play a critical role in the healthcare industry. Nurses are responsible for the direct care of patients, administering medications and monitoring vital signs. They also help educate patients on better managing their health conditions and assist them through preventive interventions and consistent monitoring. In addition, nurses are the first point of contact for patients and their families, aiding in establishing trust and building relationships.

Moreover, nursing professionals improve care by ensuring patients receive the highest quality of care possible. They collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop care plans and implement treatment strategies. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), most healthcare services require care and involvement by nurses.

The AACN recognizes the true importance of a nurse, highlighting that registered nurses are increasingly needed in both acute care and community environments, including:

• Private practices 
• Health maintenance organizations 
• Public health agencies 
• Primary care clinics 
• Home health care 
• Nursing homes 
• Nursing school-operated clinics 
• Schools 
• Mental health agencies 
• Hospices 
• The military 
• Nursing education
• Healthcare research

Nurses also support patients and their families emotionally, ensuring they feel comfortable and well-cared for. They act as the voice of the patient, advocating for their rights and ensuring their wishes are respected. If you are pursuing a career in nursing or currently working as a nurse, it’s crucial to realize the positive impact you make in bettering the lives of others - you make a difference.

The Urgent Need for Self-Care in Nursing

According to a survey published by the American Nurses Foundation,  56% of nurses currently report feeling the effects of burnout, with 40% of nurses surveyed reporting to finding their workload overwhelming them. In addition, nearly two thirds of those who reported feeling this mental exhaustion also reported to not seeking out proper mental health support to assist. This demonstrates that, despite nurses' integral role in the healthcare industry, they often neglect their own self-care.  

The long hours, high stress and emotional demands of the job can take a toll on nurses, leading to burnout and other adverse health outcomes. As reported by Zippia,  95 percent of nurses reported feeling burnt out between 2020 and 2023. The same study found that nearly 30 percent of all nurses working in the United States quit their jobs in 2021. 

The correlation between burnout and retention challenges is undeniable, especially considering such a large fraction of the nurse workforce quit following a demanding and exhausting pandemic. As a result, nurses must prioritize their own self-care, and, equally as important, healthcare leaders and policymakers must take action to protect the physical and mental health of nurses, providing proper support and resources to ensure the opportunity for proper self care for nurses 

Recognizing and Preventing Nurse Burnout

Nurse burnout is often a result of the nursing occupation's long hours, high stress and emotional demands, leading to physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Nurse exhaustion can have serious consequences, including decreased job satisfaction, increased absenteeism and reduced patient outcomes. In fact, the leading reason nurses quit their jobs is because they feel overworked. Another concerning statistic found that 40 percent of burnt-out nurses experienced “compassion fatigue” in the last three years, which occurs when exhaustion makes it difficult for nurses to empathize with their patients.

Healthcare leaders must monitor their workers for signs of burnout and take action to intervene before it’s too late. Common symptoms of burnout include:

• Lack of enthusiasm and confidence from nursing staff
• Irritability and lack of empathy toward patients
• A decline in physical health and recurring illnesses among staff
• Reports from staff that they feel overworked or underappreciated
• General signs of exhaustion, such as chronic tiredness, impaired decision-making, moodiness or slow reflexes

How Nurses Can Help Each Other Prevent Burnout

Nurses can support one another and leverage interpersonal relationships and group counseling to prevent burnout. They can share their experiences and offer advice on how to manage stress. Nurses can also take breaks together and engage in stress-reducing activities as a group. By supporting each other, nurses can make a difference in the lives of other healthcare workers and prevent burnout and continue providing their patients with the best possible care. 

Make a Difference and Pursue a Nursing Degree at Cleveland State University 

Nurses are critical to the healthcare industry, and it is paramount that they take care of themselves to continue to promote their health, job satisfaction and patient care. By recognizing burnout, finding relief and supporting each other, nurses can continue to make a difference in the lives of their patients. Remember, self-care for nurses is not selfish–it is necessary to continue to provide excellent care.

Obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree can help nurses alleviate burnout by giving them more autonomy and the ability to enter leadership roles. With an MSN, nurses can take on more responsibility and have greater control over their work, which can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and increase job satisfaction. Additionally, leadership roles can provide opportunities for nurses to effect change within their workplace and improve the overall quality of patient care.

If you are looking for online education to attain your MSN degree, Cleveland State University offers several program options, each with 500 practicum hours of hands-on learning experience:

• The MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader program prepares students to become effective leaders in clinical settings and ensures patients benefit from the latest innovations in care delivery across the continuum.
• The MSN - Forensic Nursing program advocates for truth and justice in a professional nursing role. This program allows students to leverage nursing skills with forensic science to promote recovery, health and justice in a caring and compassionate way.
• The MSN - Nursing Education program readies students to work as skilled educators and leaders in academia or professional development. This program also encourages students to influence new generations of nurses through effective teaching methods.
• The MSN - Specialized Populations program prepares population-focused nurses to concentrate their careers on the health needs of a defined population and use best practices and evidence-based research to improve outcomes.
• The MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner program prepares students to practice as advanced practice registered nurses specializing in primary care for patients of all ages.
• The MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program prepares students to excel as advanced practice registered nurses, allowing them to deliver care in community mental health agencies, interdisciplinary group practice facilities and a variety of mental health care settings 

CSU also offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, allowing you to leverage your existing degree in ANY field in order to earn your BSN. This degree will prepare you to work as a bedside nurse, caring for patients in various healthcare settings, and can be completed in little as four semesters/16 months (full-time). Learn how you can take the first steps today.