Nursing is a challenging and demanding profession that requires a high level of skill, compassion, and dedication. While many nurses thrive in this fast-paced and rewarding field, those new to the field may find the stress and pressure of the job too much to handle.
In other fields that are stressful, one typically has different avenues for support (even if the career is stressful). This may be through the form of supportive colleagues or mentors who can guide them on how to handle the stress and challenges of the profession.
Even though there are experienced nurses who do extend words of reassurance to new ones, there is still a prevalent mentality of “better toughen up fast if you want to survive.”
Nursing may have been an ideal career for some, but due to being unprepared for the lifestyle, they may have chosen other paths. In this article, we will look at some of the ways that new nurses thinking about going back to nursing can be more resilient and handle pressure more effectively.
Upskill Yourself To Increase Competency
One way to make nursing more manageable and enjoyable is by continuing nursing education, upskilling, and pursuing professional development opportunities. Arguably, the most effective way to do this is by obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. An MSN degree will prepare you in many of the areas of a nursing career far more than a BSN would.
It can help you gain advanced clinical skills, leadership abilities, and specialized knowledge in areas such as nursing education, informatics, and healthcare administration. However, it goes without saying that on-the-job experience is going to be the most important factor in improving your competency.
This advanced training can open up new career opportunities and help you become a more valuable and effective member of your healthcare team. But pursuing an MSN isn’t just about career advancement – it’s also about improving your overall job satisfaction and quality of life.
With an MSN, you can gain the skills and knowledge needed to take on more challenging and rewarding roles in nursing, such as clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, or nurse educator.
Yes, nursing education is something worth looking at. If you are still hesitant about returning to being a nurse, you could pursue something like an MSN-Ed, which focuses on education and training new nurses.
According to Grand Canyon University, MSN-Ed graduates can experience roles as clinical or academic educators in both traditional hospital settings and non-traditional avenues.
Find and Create a Good Support System
Forming a support system is going to be one of the key pillars for you. Spend some time networking and find someone experienced to help you. Having mentors or experienced nurses who can offer guidance and advice is invaluable. Mentors can help new nurses navigate complex situations, provide feedback on their work, and offer insights into the field.
If you are going back to a nursing career, it is a good idea to find a mentor (even if it takes time to find the right one) and work with them before fully transitioning back to the field.
You will also want to develop a network of friends who can provide emotional support when things get stressful. Having a close circle of people who can offer empathy and understanding can be one of the most cathartic and healing ways to deal with a high-stress career. As you might have already considered, visiting a therapist is also a good option.
In addition to human support, new nurses should also focus on building resilience through self-care practices such as exercise, mindfulness, and stress management techniques. The importance of taking time to recharge and care for your physical and emotional health to prevent another burnout cannot be overstated.
Identify Poor Lifestyle Habits And Get Disciplined
One of the key factors that have caused many nurses to drop out is an inability to maintain healthy life habits. Until you enter a high-stress field, it is easy to get through life with a number of unhealthy habits.
However, once the pressures of nursing start, you quickly realize how essential it is to get disciplined and create good habits.
For instance, lack of sleep can negatively impact cognitive function, mood, and overall health, all of which can make it more challenging to cope with the demands of nursing.
Getting enough restorative sleep each night can help improve alertness, mood, and overall well-being. You also want to find activities or hobbies that you enjoy and can stick to. This could be as simple as learning a new instrument (a simple one) or developing a routine of karaoke nights with friends every week. Whatever you choose, try to stay consistent.
Good nutrition is also essential for new nurses dealing with the pressures of nursing. Never skip breakfast. Let’s say that again.
Never. Skip. Breakfast.
Food acts as a battery for your body. If you skip out on an important meal like breakfast because you are late or have a lot of work, you are choosing the path that leads to burnout once more. The ever-changing shifts and schedules of a hospital can make it incredibly difficult to maintain good nutrition habits.
Even so, try your best to prioritize your own health as much as possible. Eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. All of these can help improve energy levels, mood, and overall health.
Finally, getting disciplined and establishing good work habits can be highly beneficial for new nurses. Creating a schedule, prioritizing tasks, and staying organized can help reduce stress and improve productivity. Take breaks and practice self-care regularly, read, take walks, and spend as much free time as you get with activities and people that you love.
Conclusion
We hope that following some of the tips mentioned in this article will help if you are considering going back to a career in nursing. With concerns that AI is going to “Take all our jobs,” nursing is definitely one of the more secure careers at the moment.
There is no need to feel awkward about going back to a career you left. By taking some of the advice in this article to heart, you should find yourself feeling more prepared and ready to handle the challenges that a nursing career brings.