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January 17, 2025
for clinicians
By focusing on a holistic version of self care, nurses are able to take proactive steps to care for themselves in a comprehensive way.
“Self Care” has become such a common phrase in today’s world that is tossed around, monetized, and prescribed frequently. What is self care, and why is self care for nurses so important?
Nursing is a noble and demanding profession, but the physical, emotional, and mental toll it takes on healthcare workers can be overwhelming. While the term “self care” can often be used to refer to things like bubble baths or foot massagers, true self-care for nurses requires a holistic approach—one that addresses not only physical health but also emotional well-being, mental resilience, and the cultivation of a supportive work environment. Self care for nurses can help maintain health, compassion, and long-term career sustainability, impacting patients' lives on an even larger scale. Self care is ideally done preventatively, in order to lessen the impact of a burnout-prone role. The most important thing to remember is that self care is extremely individualized, and no two nurses will require the same self care strategies.
Nurses frequently encounter high-stress situations, emotionally charged environments, and heartbreaking moments. This constant exposure to trauma and distress can lead to burnout and compassion fatigue. Cultivating mental and emotional resilience is often one of the most neglected aspects of self care for nurses, but it’s as critical as physical health in such a high-stress field. Over time, poor mental health can lead to depression, anxiety and burnout if left unaddressed.
Tangible Strategies:
Set Boundaries - Setting boundaries with patients and families where appropriate doesn’t mean being cold and distant, instead it means protecting your emotional space to avoid overextending yourself.
Seek Support - Talking to colleagues, friends, or a therapist about the emotional challenges of the nursing role can make a world of difference. Doing so can help you feel as though you are not carrying those burdens alone.
Engage in Hobbies or Interests Outside of Work: Nurses so often find their identities wrapped up in their roles, but engaging in activities outside of work is essential to mental well-being. Whether it’s painting, hiking, writing, volunteering, or otherwise, finding time for personal passions helps provide a sense of fulfillment and connection outside the healthcare environment.
Physical self care for nurses is often the first thing that comes to mind upon hearing “self care,” but it is also one of the first things to be overlooked when the job’s demands become heavy. Taking care of yourself physically not only ensures you're well-prepared to handle the demands of your role but also to manage the responsibilities and activities in your life outside of work.
Tangible Strategies:
Exercise as Prevention and Healing - Exercise is a key tool in keeping the body strong and resilient to a demanding job. Not only that, exercise can help manage stress levels and improve mental well-being.
Prioritizing Posture and Ergonomics - Nurses work long shifts, lifting, bending, and moving patients, which can be particularly injury-inducing, especially when manual patient transfer methods are used. Investing in ergonomic equipment and proper patient handling equipment is critical. It’s also essential to take breaks to stretch and reset throughout a shift.
Rest and Recover - Nurses often work demanding, sometimes irregular hours, that can make quality sleep scarce. Prioritizing rest and creating a sleep routine that supports deep sleep can make a huge difference. Sleep aids like blackout curtains, white noise machines, or relaxation techniques promote sleep quality when necessary.
The environment in which nurses work plays a huge role in nurses ability to practice self-care. A supportive workplace can help mitigate stress and promote wellbeing. To a certain extent, a workplace culture is determined by management, but nurses have the power to influence and shape that culture by supporting one another and advocating for positive changes.
Tangible Strategies:
Advocate for Safe Staffing - One of the most significant contributors to nursing burnout is understaffing. Advocating for safe staffing means supporting appropriate nurse-patient ratios and manageable workloads. When staffing levels are sufficient, nurses are able to provide better care and feel less overwhelmed.
Foster a Healthy Work Culture - When nurses feel appreciated, heard, and supported by their colleagues and supervisors, they are less likely to experience burnout. Encouraging open communication, regular feedback, and team-building activities can help create an environment of mutual care and respect.
Utilize Employee Assistance Programs: Many healthcare organizations offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that include counseling, stress management workshops, and other resources. Taking advantage of these strategies can help nurses support their mental and emotional health.
Self care for nurses isn’t an all-at-once, band-aid solution, and it can take years to create a routine and discover resources that work best for you. By focusing on a holistic version of self care, nurses are able to take proactive steps to care for themselves in a comprehensive way. Self care isn’t selfish, instead, it’s a vital tool that allows nurses to be there for their patients, friends and family, while maintaining their own health and happiness.
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