Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers out there, but it’s also one of the most stressful. Long shifts, high-pressure environments, and the emotional toll of patient care can leave even the most dedicated nurses feeling drained. And when you're constantly putting others first, it's easy to let your own well-being slide. That’s where self-care for nurses comes in.
Taking care of yourself isn't just about feeling better—it's essential to maintain your mental health, stay engaged in your work, and provide the best care for your patients. A stressed nurse struggling with exhaustion or burnout won’t be able to perform at their best, and over time, that can lead to serious consequences for both personal well-being and professional performance.
Thankfully, the conversation around self-care in nursing is growing. More hospitals and medical facilities are recognizing the importance of work-life balance as a nurse, and there’s increasing awareness of just how much stress in nursing impacts both individuals and the healthcare system.
Why self-care is critical for nurses
Between long shifts, back-to-back patient needs, and life-or-death situations, stress in nursing is almost unavoidable. A 2023 study found that an alarming 91.1% of nurses reported experiencing high levels of burnout—significantly higher than the 79.9% reported by other healthcare workers.
Nurses juggle high-pressure decisions, emotionally charged patient interactions, and the never-ending challenge of balancing medical protocols with human compassion. Add in chronic understaffing, unpredictable schedules, and exposure to trauma, and it's no surprise that being a stressed nurse feels like the norm.
Consequences of ignoring self-care
While nursing self-care is essential, it's often pushed to the bottom of the priority list. Many nurses feel guilty stepping away, even for a quick break, because the work never stops. But ignoring self-care not only does a disservice to yourself—it can lead to serious consequences.
A nurse running on empty struggles to provide the same level of care, leading to mistakes, frustration, and an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. Over time, this cycle can decrease job satisfaction, increase turnover rates, and even put patient safety at risk.
Beyond the workplace, neglecting self-care can have a long-term impact on your physical and mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress contributes to high blood pressure, immune disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Key signs of burnout and stress in nurses
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, but recognizing the warning signs early can make a huge difference. Some key symptoms of a stressed nurse or nurse burnout include:
- Constant exhaustion: Feeling physically and mentally drained, even after a full night’s sleep
- Emotional detachment: Struggling to connect with patients or feeling emotionally numb
- Reduced empathy: Feeling indifferent or irritated by patients or coworkers
- Decreased job satisfaction: Dreading work, feeling unappreciated, or questioning your career choice
If any of these sound familiar, it's time to prioritize self-care. Taking small steps to support your well-being isn’t selfish—it’s vital!
How self-care benefits nurses and their patients
Practicing self-care techniques—whether it’s taking breaks, setting boundaries, or prioritizing mental well-being—helps nurses stay emotionally resilient. “I think the biggest impact would be role-modeling healthy behaviors and increasing compassion, patience, and communication,” says nurse Sara Grieshop, MHI, BSN, RN, Practice Excellence Supervisor at the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). “Nurses are the most trusted profession, and our patients look to us to help guide them. If we aren’t taking care of ourselves, it will show up in how we show up for them.”
When nurses prioritize self-care, they bring more energy and focus to their work, which allows them to provide more attentive and effective patient care. Taking time to recharge helps nurses stay sharp, communicate clearly, and make sound decisions—leading to better outcomes and a safer healthcare environment for everyone.
The work-life balance of nurses is another priority—one that leaders and administrators can encourage. Work-life balance allows nurses to bring their best selves to both their patients and their personal lives. By setting healthy boundaries, engaging in activities that bring joy, and leaning on a support system, nurses can maintain their well-being while staying passionate about their work.
Key self-care tips for nurses
By incorporating small but meaningful self-care habits into daily routines, you can improve your health, manage stress, and create a better nursing work-life balance. Here are some practical ways to make self-care a consistent part of your life.
1. Prioritize physical health
Caring for others starts with simple habits like staying hydrated, eating nutrient-rich snacks, and getting enough rest. “Some of the things that helped me the most to prevent burnout when I was at the bedside was making sure—no matter what—that I prioritized brief breaks for food and water replenishment,” Grieshop says. “I tend to get grumpy if I go long stretches of time without a quick snack.”
You can use an app like Waterllama or Waterminder to track hydration, or use your phone’s timer to set reminders for short breaks. Long shifts can take a toll on the body, so incorporating stretches and gentle movement during breaks can relieve tension and prevent injuries.
Small adjustments—like wearing supportive footwear and having good posture—can also help nurses feel better physically and stay energized throughout their shifts.
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2. Set emotional and mental health boundaries
With the emotional demands of nursing, it’s essential to set limits and make space for personal well-being. Try mindfulness, journaling, or therapy to help process your emotions and manage stress. “We have to take time to talk about the tough shifts because bottling it up will only hurt ourselves and those around us,” Grieshop says.
Recognizing emotional limits also means knowing when to say “no.” Nurses are naturally inclined to help, but overextending can lead to burnout. Prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary for sustaining a long, fulfilling career.
3. Develop a personalized and structured routine
A well-structured routine can make demanding nursing shifts feel more manageable. Having a system in place for tracking patient information, and organizing tasks, can help reduce stress and improve efficiency. Grieshop shares that keeping a simple sheet of paper for notes—such as lab results and scheduled patient travel—helped her stay organized and recall details easily during shift reports.
4. Know when to delegate and ask for support
Nurses often work under tight pressure, and while it’s natural to want to handle everything, knowing when to ask for help is key to maintaining your well-being and ensuring patient care remains top-notch.
“Many healthcare administrators see resource nurses, or a nurse without a patient assignment, as an extra incurred cost for the day, but having them available to help may mean that you can step away for a mindful moment,” Grieshop says.
A short break can give you the mental space to focus and return to your duties refreshed. Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks or ask for assistance from nursing assistants, charge nurses, and the management team, she says. By sharing the load, you prevent feeling overwhelmed and ensure that patient care is a team effort.
Should medical facilities and hospitals encourage nurses to self-care?
Hospitals and healthcare institutions have a vital role in creating a culture of well-being for their nursing staff. A study published in the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC) highlights that preventing burnout can't be done by individual efforts alone—it requires collaboration between healthcare professionals and their institutions.
Self-care is one of the provisions stated in the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. The document says: “The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to promote health and safety, preserve wholeness of character and integrity, maintain competence, and continue personal and professional growth.”
When medical facilities actively promote self-care, they help reduce burnout, boost job satisfaction, and, in turn, improve the quality of patient care. Simple yet meaningful initiatives can make a significant difference in a nurse’s daily experience, allowing them to recharge and manage stress effectively.
One hospital initiative that made an impact for Grieshop was “tea for the soul” afternoons and evenings. “The lights were lowered, calming spa music would play, and we could make a cup of tea to enjoy,” she says. “It was often just five to 10 minutes, but it was the pause we needed and it would refresh us.”
Best practices for supportive work environments
Other strategies, such as flexible scheduling, access to mental health resources, and dedicated wellness programs can also help. Offering pet therapy, for example, is another simple but effective way to support staff.
“We had therapy dogs who would come into our conference room and we could spend time with them,” Grieshop says. “It was started by one of the nurses I worked with and spread into a full hospital initiative to help relieve stress among healthcare clinicians.”
Beyond wellness programs, fostering a truly healthy work environment requires clear communication and collaboration at every level. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has developed Healthy Work Environment (HWE) standards, which provide guidance for hospitals looking to better support their nurses. “The HWE Assessment Tool is a free resource from AACN that can be used on each unit to assess and measure progress in establishing a truly healthy work environment,” Grieshop says. When leadership prioritizes these principles, both nurses and patients benefit.
When self-care isn’t enough
Even with self-care, there are times when stress and burnout can become too overwhelming to handle alone. “We can’t do everything on our own and it’s so easy to push negative feelings down until symptoms keep coming up that we can’t ignore anymore,” Grieshop says.
If these feelings persist or worsen, seek external support, whether through therapy, counseling, or other professional help.
FAQs
How do I know if I’m experiencing nurse burnout?
Burnout can manifest as physical exhaustion, emotional detachment, and a decrease in empathy or job satisfaction. Nurses may feel overwhelmed, detached from their work, and lack the energy to engage with patients. If these feelings persist, it may be time to seek professional support or speak with a supervisor about adjusting workloads.
How can I balance self-care with the demands of nursing?
Finding a balance between work and personal life requires setting boundaries and developing a personalized self-care routine. This may involve incorporating short breaks, using apps and other tools to stay organized, and leaning on support networks. Prioritizing small, manageable tasks and taking moments throughout the day to recharge can significantly reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
What should I do if self-care doesn’t seem to be helping?
If self-care techniques aren’t providing relief, it may be a sign that more professional help is needed. Consulting with a therapist or counselor can provide additional support. Nurses are encouraged to be proactive in seeking mental health services and to communicate openly with their employers about stress levels and any need for accommodations.
How can I talk to my employer about the need for self-care support?
It’s important to approach the conversation with a clear understanding of how self-care initiatives can benefit not just individual nurses, but the overall healthcare team. Highlighting the positive impacts on patient care, job satisfaction, and long-term career sustainability can help make a compelling case for introducing or expanding self-care programs within the workplace.