Emotional Hazards of Nurses' Work

Abstract

Stress in nurses is multifocal, pervasive, and persistent. They practice in a contemporary heath care environment characterized by rapid change, the ongoing integration of novel technologies, and interpersonal challenges. Relationships with patients and families pose unique dilemmas related to witnessing anguish and trauma over time. Interventions are needed to counter the affective demands of nurse caregiving. To this end, national initiatives have been proposed to outline general work setting enhancements promoting well-being. Stressor-specific interventions have also been identified. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the macro (organizational) recommendations for change and a micro (practice setting) blueprint of potential interventions to promote nurse well-being.

Nurses' Perceptions of Infusion Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Just as important as developing clinical policies and procedures, a plan to address the emotional well-being of nurses during crisis or pandemic events should be considered. Vital to developing a plan to address nurse well-being is collaboration among staff nurses, managers, and leaders and plans to continually assess to improve interventions 20…”

“…Vital to developing a plan to address nurse well-being is collaboration among staff nurses, managers, and leaders and plans to continually assess to improve interventions. 20…”

Advocating for Nurse Well-Being

“…Over the last few years, nurses have experienced staffing shortages, an inability to provide quality care, high stress levels, and much patient suffering. Many nurses desire to make a difference, and when unable to do so, they develop symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout 6,8. As these stressors continue, the ongoing need to advocate for ourselves and our colleagues also continues.…”

“…We connected with one another through more lived experiences, learned about one another's challenges with live polling questions, validated challenges with well-being from published research, and discussed ways to reduce risk of compassion fatigue and burnout. The March/April 2021 Journal of Infusion Nursing published another resource, Emotional Hazards of Nurses' Work , an article that provided an overview of organizational recommendations for change and potential individual interventions to promote nurse well-being 8. In November 2022, INS presented a webinar titled “Beyond Burnout: Trauma-Informed Mind-Body Skills for Healing Together.” We provided this webinar to share mind-body medicine and the use of mind-body skills as an evidence-based approach to support individuals experiencing trauma in addition to burnout.…”

“…Many nurses desire to make a difference, and when unable to do so, they develop symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout. 6,8 As these stressors continue, the ongoing need to advocate for ourselves and our colleagues also continues. To support this effort, in June 2020, INS presented and recorded a webinar, "The Psychological Crisis of Covid-19 That Too Few Are Talking About: Clinicians at Risk," aimed to provide support for our entire healthcare community.…”