Challenges of the Nursing Profession
Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. They are the first line of defense for patients and their families. They can be found in every setting from hospitals to home visits, clinics, long-term care facilities, schools, and more.
Nurses face many challenges in their field such as nurse burnout and lack of resources. There is also a shortage of qualified nurses which means that nurses are often overworked. Corporate wellness nurse jobs are hard to find. The nursing profession is going through a lot of changes which can make it difficult for nurses to find satisfaction in the work they do.
Physical and Mental Health of Nurses
Nurses and health care workers work long, strenuous hours, often without taking a break. It is difficult to promoting health and wellness in nursing and manage a work life balance. Nurses are often faced with the challenges of prioritizing tasks, managing time and delegating work. They also have to deal with the emotional stressors of their profession.
Nursing is a profession that requires empathy, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility. Nurses have to be able to think on their feet and make quick decisions when needed.
Physical Health
Busy nurses are neglecting exercise, with less than 50 percent meeting the recommended number of muscle-building exercises. However, working the long hours they do makes it very difficult to fit everything in.; they are pulled in so many directions and are often required to do more than one task at the same time. Nurses are the most common profession to have a high risk of physical health problems.
Physical injuries can happen as part of their job, and they often work long shifts in hostile environments that can lead to illness. Nurses are also at risk for developing mental health issues due to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Nurses who experience chronic pain or sleep disturbances may be struggling with an injury or illness that has not yet been diagnosed.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that employers screen and assess current health habits of employees for musculoskeletal disorders and other occupational illnesses on a regular basis.
Mental Health
Nurses are at risk for developing mental health problems. Nurses work in a demanding environment and they have to deal with many difficult situations involving patient care that can lead to burnout, stress, depression, and anxiety.
This affects their emotional Wellbeing and may make it difficult for them to focus on their important role as nurses.
Nurses and healthcare professionals should be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent them. They should speak up about their mental health issues, seek help from their coworkers or supervisors if needed, and take time off for themselves if needed.
The Wellness of Nurses
Nurses do not always think about their own well being because they are focused on their patients.
There are many benefits to making it a priority to incorporate some sort of wellness programs that focus on nurses well being. Wellness programs for nurses will help reduce stress levels, prevent burnout, decrease the chance for chronic diseases, and help improve sleep.
Making an effort to include nurse wellness activities can help alleviate some of the stress nurses experience, as well reduce health risks and impact a nurses overall Wellbeing.
Nursing staff are in a unique position to provide patient care and support to others, but they often do not take the time for themselves. Nurses need to work on their own wellness so that they can be better caregivers for their patients.
Research shows that nurses who engaged in wellness activities were more likely to have better quality of life, mental Wellbeing, less burnout, and higher job satisfaction.
Wellness Activities for Registered Nurses and Healthcare Workers
Some companies have started implementing wellness programs for their employees because it is cheaper than paying out money when an employee leaves due to poor health or burnout.
The key is for nurses to find a balance between working hard and taking care of themselves. Nurses should be encouraged to practice self-care by following these steps:
- Recognize the warning signs that they are not taking good enough care of themselves
- Find ways to relax and de-stress
- Exercise regularly
- Take time off when they need it
How to Start a Workplace Wellness Program
A workplace wellness program does not require an identified corporate wellness nurse. Corporate wellness is a great start to making a difference in the lives of nurses and to promote healthy living. Nurses feel burnout and need ways to participate in self care. Having the option to do this at their own workplace will make it easier for them to focus on their well being.
Workplace wellness programs are a great way to promote employee happiness and productivity. These programs can also be a cost-effective way for employers to invest in their employees.
Some workplace wellness programs provide financial incentives to employees who participate in them. For example, some companies offer discounts on health insurance premiums or on gym membership fees. Other companies offer free health screenings, such as cholesterol tests, blood pressure checks, or glucose tests.
There are many different types of workplace wellness programs that employers can implement in their company.
Some of the most popular ones include providing healthy food choices at work; providing workout facilities at work; providing incentives for people who participate in these programs; and providing access to an online education platform about healthy living and lifestyle choices.
Celebrating Nurses Week 2022 with Creative Health Care Management
Creative Health Care Management is an equal opportunity employer. We offer nurses week inspirational presentations, small group dialogues, and virtual sessions that will reenergize your team.
We bring reality-based joy and healing that can be delivered in manners ranging from relaxing to humorous—whatever your team needs. Sessions can be delivered multiple times a day to support and honor more of your staff and boost morale.
History of Nursing
The history of nursing is a long and complex one. It has been a profession that has been around for centuries. With the first mention of nursing being in the Bible, it is clear that there was some form of professional nursing before hospitals were even invented.
National Nurses Week 2022
National Nurses Week 2022 begins Friday May 6 and ends Thursday May 12. The dates for national nurse week are always May 6 – 12, because May 12 was Florence Nightingale’s birthday. The first national nurses’ week occurred October 11-16, 1954 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission in the Crimea War.
Activities for Nurses Week
There are many ways to celebrate nurses week that encourage nurses to participate. Some activities for nurses week include hosting a nurses night, a nurse bingo game, nurse Olympics, a community-oriented event, a special recognition program, free food during a lunch break, and having a bulletin board with cards to show nurses love.
Nurse Facts
Nurses are responsible for a variety of tasks, and they play a critical role in: Providing medical care and emotional support to patients, preparing equipment for procedures, administering medications, taking vital signs, assessing wounds, injuries, or illnesses and educating patients about their condition.