Prioritizing the Mental Health and Well-Being of your Nurses
Causes of Mental Health Deterioration for Nurses
Multiple issues have impacted the overall well-being and mental health of nurses. On top of their priorities and working one of the most mentally demanding jobs, here are the most common causes of mental health issues in nursing staff:
- High turnover rates
- Lack of staff resources
- An excessive amount of patients
- Emotional strain
- Limited time with nurse executives
Some Tips to Improve Mental Health.
Create open communication
Make sure your team knows that you are always available to sit down and speak with them. Facilities including monthly meetings where you check in with your staff on their mental health and let them know you can talk to them whenever they need you should be given. Make sure you provide them with the resources to find someone to speak to if they need assistance with their mental health.
Rest and Work balance.
A large number of work nurses need to complete daily can cause them overwhelming stress. Healthcare facilities should provide their nurses with the supplies to ensure nurses are well-rested, well-fed, and have some downtime. Breakout zones and cafeterias are perfect for nurses to decompress and relax during high-stress days.
Continuous Positive reinforcement
Appreciate the effort of nurses. They should feel as though they are part of the team and are a quality member of the nursing staff. It is essential to say often "thank you" to your team and encourage them to appreciate one another.
Nurse leaders oversee patient care across the country and should have open conversations on how to take care of their staff better. Acknowledging the potential of mental health disorders among nursing staff is vital for your staff to feel more secure regarding their mental hardships.