Mental Health and Wellness Programs for Healthcare Workers

Mental Health and Wellness Programs for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare professionals work tirelessly to provide care and support for their patients, often at the expense of their physical and mental well-being. It’s no secret that healthcare workers face high levels of stress, long hours, and emotionally charged situations daily. However, healthcare organizations must prioritize their employees’ mental health and wellness, not only for their well-being but also for the quality of care they provide to their patients.

Implementing mental health and wellness programs within healthcare organizations can go a long way in supporting the well-being of healthcare workers and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. Below, we explore some programs and benefits that healthcare organizations can implement to help improve employee mental health and wellness.

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide confidential counseling and support services to healthcare workers dealing with personal or work-related challenges affecting their mental health. They cover stress management, substance abuse, and financial wellness. EAPs boost healthcare workers’ mental health and well-being, enabling them to manage stress, prevent burnout, and provide high-quality patient care.

However, promoting EAPs to reduce stigma and ensure accessibility can be challenging. EAPs are crucial for healthcare workers’ mental health and wellness programs, providing confidential counseling and support services to help them manage work-related challenges and improve their overall well-being.

Mindfulness and Meditation Programs

Mindfulness and meditation programs promote mental health and wellness among healthcare workers. These programs can take many forms, such as guided meditation sessions, and help healthcare workers manage stress and reduce anxiety. Developing mindfulness skills improves productivity and communication, and it reduces burnout risk.

Tailoring programs to meet the different needs of healthcare workers is a challenge. Mindfulness and meditation programs are essential for healthcare mental health and wellness programs. They improve healthcare workers’ stress management, productivity, and patient outcomes while reducing burnout risk.

Resilience Training

Resilience training is crucial for healthcare workers to manage stress and adapt to change. These programs can take many forms, such as workshops and online modules, and cover topics like stress management and mindfulness. Resilience training improves healthcare workers’ ability to handle stress, adapt to changing circumstances, and communicate better. This ultimately facilitates better workplace culture and patient outcomes.

A challenge is ensuring accessibility and relevance to all healthcare workers. Resilience training is essential to mental health and wellness programs for healthcare workers, enabling them to manage stress better, prevent burnout, and improve patient outcomes.

Peer Support Programs

Peer support programs offer a safe and confidential space for healthcare workers to discuss their challenges. These programs can take many forms, from informal networks to formalized support groups led by mental health professionals, and help address issues like burnout and compassion fatigue.

Peer support programs can reduce feelings of isolation, promote a compassionate workplace culture, and reduce stigma around mental health issues. One challenge is ensuring participants feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Providing training to support leaders and ensuring confidentiality can help.

Overall, peer support programs are essential to mental health and wellness programs for healthcare workers. They provide a supportive and confidential space for healthcare workers to connect with their peers, reduce feelings of isolation, and improve overall well-being.

Counseling and Therapy Services

Counseling and therapy services are crucial to healthcare workers’ mental health  and wellness programs. They provide a confidential space for healthcare workers to address mental health challenges such as stress and burnout. These programs can be delivered in person or remotely, including one-on-one or group therapy sessions.

The benefits of counseling and therapy services include better stress management, burnout prevention, and improved mental health and well-being. They can also help reduce mental health issues’ stigma and promote a more supportive workplace culture.

However, one challenge is ensuring healthcare workers feel safe and comfortable seeking these services. Promoting the services and training supervisors and managers on supporting employees struggling with mental health challenges can help. Healthcare organizations can improve healthcare workers’ well-being and ultimately enhance patient outcomes by providing access to counseling and therapy services.

Quality of Life Programs

Quality-of-life programs are becoming increasingly popular among healthcare organizations to support their employees’ well-being. One such program is providing shuttles for healthcare workers, which can help to reduce the stress and time associated with getting to and from work.

Commuting can be hugely stressful for healthcare workers, particularly those working long shifts or navigating busy city streets. Providing a shuttle service can alleviate this stress and improve employees’ overall quality of life.

These programs are also essential for healthcare organizations to attract and retain top talent. These programs, designed to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of healthcare workers, lead to improved job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and better patient outcomes.

Such programs include flexible scheduling, on-site childcare, and continuing education opportunities. Implementing these programs requires time and resources, but the benefits are significant. By supporting the well-being of healthcare workers, organizations can improve employee satisfaction, reduce turnover and absenteeism, and ultimately provide better patient care.

How Nursing Students Can Deal with Test Anxiety

How Nursing Students Can Deal with Test Anxiety

For nursing students, taking tests is a typical path to becoming an RN. For many students, though, studying and taking rigorous tests (like the NCLEX) can be an overly intense experience, causing nurses to feel test anxiety and fear over their grades.

So what is this feeling nurses get when they’re overwhelmed before a test? According to a 2023 study , test anxiety refers to the emotions we feel whenever we think about the possible downfalls of failing an exam. However, test anxiety is common for many nurses and even highlights how much we place importance on our futures.

If you struggle with test anxiety, you’re not alone. Read on to learn what test anxiety looks like for you and what strategies can help you handle this.

What Can Test Anxiety Look Like?

Test anxiety, or exam stress, is different and can range in intensity for everyone— so not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Besides feeling anxiety, this can look like becoming distracted and unable to recall information while taking a test and engaging in negative self-talk. Some physical symptoms include sweating, nausea, heart palpitations, and headaches. Procrastination is usually common, so we might wait until the last minute because of how severe exam stress feels.

Why Nurses Struggle with Test Anxiety

Test anxiety usually comes from nurses feeling a high pressure to ace their exams and stay on top of the intense workload that comes with their program, according to psychiatric mental health nurse Aneesah Coates, BSN, RN. 

“The material they are learning is critical for patient care and can be overwhelming to absorb and retain,” she says. “The competitive nature of nursing programs also adds to the stress and creates a fear of failure.”

Exam stress can also be from other common causes, such as thinking of grades as a measure of validation, feeling helpless over how you’ll perform, or giving into the guilt that not preparing the “right” way for a test means you’ll fail.

Taking exams in a nursing program isn’t easy, so recognizing that you’ve taken steps to stop and realize your anxiety over an exam is one step to feeling more at ease.

How to Prepare Before and After an Exam 

Here are a few ways you can manage your test anxiety better. Try one or more methods to see if they work; if they do, tweak them to suit your needs.

Plan a study schedule. Decide how you want to prioritize and plan what you want to study. When do you want to start studying before an exam, and for how long? Asking yourself questions like these will help you look for moments to start writing down notes and getting into a study mindset.

Find studying habits that fit you. Coates suggests combining studying methods to see what works for you. For her, using different colored pens while taking notes worked by how she could visually see and retain what she was learning.

Other studying tips you can try include:

  • Writing down “memory bullets” with trigger words and acronyms to help you identify key points during test-taking
  • Recording yourself reading notes and listening to them while doing other tasks
  • Utilizing a quiet study space where you can concentrate
  • Finding study guides or other exam prep material relevant to your field

Take care of your body. This one might sound obvious, but ensure you get enough sleep and feel rested the day of your test. For example, the NCLEX takes five hours to complete, so bring snacks and water with you so you have enough energy and don’t get dehydrated.

Understand the material; don’t just memorize. As a future nurse, you want to be ready for any unexpected situation, so it’s essential to understand what you’re learning long-term. This is also helpful for taking the NCLEX since the exam tests how you would apply the knowledge you learned in real-life situations. Try testing your knowledge of the material with practice quizzes to determine what areas you need to improve.

Discover what motivates you. Coming back to why you enrolled in a nursing program might be the push you need to overcome exam stress.

“Preparing for the NCLEX or any other test can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that you have already come so far and have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed,” says Coates.

Your classmates can also support you when you need a study partner. It’s also helpful to know that other students struggle with exam stress, so focusing on your progress and trusting in your abilities is a great way to let your test anxiety go.

PBS NewsHour Explores What Makes Nurses Vulnerable to Burnout

PBS NewsHour Explores What Makes Nurses Vulnerable to Burnout

A federal study shows that nearly half of healthcare workers reported feeling burned out last year. Research suggests nurses are especially vulnerable to burnout, which can impact their care.

In collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center and with support from the Pulitzer Center, Stephanie Sy reports from Columbus, Ohio, for a PBS NewsHour series, Critical Care: The Future of Nursing.

The segment profiles four nurses at different places in their nursing careers and the impact of nurse burnout.

-Sarah Kincaid, a family nurse practitioner in Columbus, Ohio

Bernadette Melnyk, chief wellness officer at Ohio State University, and co-author of the books:

-Taylor Schwein is a psychiatric nurse practitioner in training. She teaches a cognitive skills building program for fellow Ohio State University students called Mindstrong.

-Yang Du, a nursing student at Ohio State University.

See the full segment about nurse burnout below:

Nurse Burnout and Technology: Finding the Balance

Nurse Burnout and Technology: Finding the Balance

Burnout impacts approximately 38% of nurses each year . Burnout isn’t a small issue, either. It can lead to a lack of empathy, a sense of dread as they head into work, and extra stress that could impact their physical and mental well-being.

Countless factors contribute to nurse burnout, from a busy schedule to difficult patients and demanding daily tasks. But technology has quickly been added to that list in recent years. It’s growing rapidly in the healthcare industry, and while it offers efficiency and innovation, it can also contribute to increased stress and fatigue among nursing professionals.

Technology isn’t going anywhere. The last thing you want to do as a nurse is let the stressful side of tech keep you from effectively utilizing it for its benefits. So, what can you do to strike a balance? How can you leverage technology to alleviate burnout rather than exacerbate it?

Understanding Emerging Technologies

Advancing technologies in the healthcare industry are designed to help professionals and patients alike. They are supposed to make your job easier, but that can only happen when you take the time to stay ahead of the latest advancements. With that in mind, some of the most popular emerging innovations in healthcare technology include:

  • Telehealth
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Healthcare wearables

These advancements can make treating and monitoring patients easier without necessarily having them come into your practice. You can connect with them digitally, monitor their progress through cloud-based services, and offer support without necessarily scheduling appointments.

That can take a lot of stress off of you and your patients. But it can also take things too far in the other direction. Telehealth is excellent for patients who have questions but can be abused. You might feel like you’re glued to a computer or tablet all day just trying to keep up with questions or requests. The same goes for wearable technology. Patients might have tech issues with their devices or wonder what specific data means. When you have to play the role of IT guru, it adds extra stress.

Virtual connected care is a great way to stay close to your patients and to provide greater one-on-one care. But don’t let it tie you down to technology so much that it causes you to feel overwhelmed by your other daily duties.

The Challenges of New Technology

Many healthcare facilities nationwide still rely on legacy technology — tech that utilizes outdated and antiquated hardware and software systems. But, because healthcare technology is advancing so quickly, practices are starting to understand the importance of switching to newer systems.

Unfortunately, when you’re used to working with a specific type of technology, changing to new technology can cause a lot of stress and confusion. You’ll have to get trained on new systems, learn about security and compliance, and might experience disturbances in workflow as everyone gets used to the new programs in place. Your practice can help to stop those disturbances and reduce stress by:

  • Creating a schedule that allows you to work with new systems before they go live;
  • Relying on experts for installation;
  • Providing open communication about upcoming changes;
  • Setting aside time for proper training.

New technology is beneficial in many ways. It can keep things organized, improve workflow (once everyone understands it), and provide better connections for each staff member and every patient. But keeping up with it isn’t always easy. Express your needs, take the time to train, and ensure you aren’t entirely relying on these new tech types to get the job done. There’s still something to be said for pen and paper!

Practice Self-Care

With technology in the picture or not, one of the best things you can do to prevent burnout and manage your stress is to take care of yourself. You spend countless hours each week caring for others, but it’s easy to forget about prioritizing your well-being.

Self-care isn’t selfish. You can’t pour from an empty cup and adequately care for patients when you’re exhausted, stressed, or even resentful of your job.

You can utilize technology to practice self-care each day. The same wearable health devices you recommend to patients can help you monitor your heart rate, track your sleep, and record your physical activity. You can also use technology to set daily reminders to take breaks. Sometimes, you might even need to remind yourself to eat a snack or break for lunch so you don’t feel sluggish and cranky by the end of your shift.

Nurse burnout is very real and a factor in the nationwide nursing shortage. Technology can help with that shortage and can help to reduce burnout, but only when it’s utilized the right way. Find a personal balance and a balance within your practice to take advantage of healthcare tech without letting it completely take over your job description.

Recharge and Reconnect: Nature’s Influence on Nurse Mental Health

Recharge and Reconnect: Nature’s Influence on Nurse Mental Health

A recent paper in Science Advances reveals  the value of nature experience for mental health. Nurses are no strangers to long shifts and hectic work environments where the stakes can often be life or death. High stress levels can drain nurses’ energy, impede attention and critical thinking, and ultimately lead to declining patient care and outcomes. But here’s the good news: by spending more time in nature, nurses can rejuvenate their energy levels, improve their mood and concentration, and commit themselves to delivering high standards of patient care. Even something as simple as indoor plants has been proven to have a positive impact on mood and energy levels.

Stress and Burnout on the Rise

Mental health issues among nurses are increasingly common. In one recent survey, nurses ranked their current mental health and well-being at an average of 5.8 out of ten (one being poor and ten being excellent). In the survey, nurses also said the pandemic was responsible for exacerbating issues like stress, fatigue, insomnia, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Additionally, a lack of exposure to nature may also be contributing to increasing levels of stress and depression in nurses. Nurses usually spend the entirety of their shift — anywhere between eight to sixteen hours — indoors, not even catching a glimpse of the outside. Notably, inadequate exposure to nature has been found to increase levels of stress and depression and decrease social engagement in women (women account for around 88% of all nurses globally).

Healing Power of Nature for Nurses

In addition to decreasing mental health and well-being, stress also inhibits energy levels and work efficiency, which ultimately negatively affects patient care. Fortunately, here’s where nature can help nurses. How? Simply put, nature makes people happy. According to the American Psychological Association, spending time in nature has been proven to lower stress, boost mood, enhance attention, and reduce the risk of psychiatric disorders. It can even increase cooperation and empathy — which can help nurses better understand patient needs and put patients at ease. Since exposure to nature can provide nurses with a vital sense of peace and inner calm, they’ll be better able to deal with the inevitable challenges encountered during their shifts. Nature can, therefore, help nurses strengthen their resilience — which can be defined as the ability to overcome stressful or unexpected situations, adapt positively, maintain a sense of control, and deliver excellent standards of patient care. As a result, mental health and well-being are naturally maintained more easily. In fact, in a recent study published in BMC Nursing, resilience in nurses was found to reduce nurse burnout significantly.

Moreover, a six-week study into nurse burnout compared the psychological state of nurses working at a level-one trauma center in Portland, Oregon. One group of nurses took their breaks in hospital gardens, while another group of nurses took their breaks indoors. The results were clear: the nurses who took their breaks in a nature-based setting experienced a significant improvement in emotional exhaustion and were, therefore, at a lower risk of burnout. And when nurses are happy, energized, and emotionally stable, standards of patient care go up as a result.

Simple Ways Nurses Can Connect with Nature

Connecting with nature during a shift is easier than you may think. Indoor plants, for example, can effectively lower levels of stress and anxiety in nurses. Being in the presence of plants for just five to ten minutes has been found to increase feelings of peace, happiness, and satisfaction. Indoor plants also add color, beauty, and visual interest, therefore making any healthcare facility a nicer, more uplifting environment to work in. When possible, nurses can also spend their breaks or lunch hours outdoors. Being outside for just twenty minutes daily boosts vitality levels, allowing nurses to rejuvenate and recharge before returning to their shift with a clear head.

Moreover, some hospitals have even installed living walls in their foyers. Living walls — vertical gardens — are essentially walls covered in greenery growing in soil or a similar substrate. Past research has shown green walls aid relaxation and improve mental health in people who live indoors, making them another effective way to expose nurses to nature while also adding a beautiful architectural element to the healthcare facility.

Nature has the power to improve the mental health and well-being of nurses. By boosting mood and decreasing levels of depression and anxiety, regular exposure to nature can help nurses manage the stressors of their busy schedules so they can be the very best they can be and continue to uphold high standards of patient care.

Yes, Nurses Can Take Naps on Their Break – Here’s How

Yes, Nurses Can Take Naps on Their Break – Here’s How

Naps are known to be restorative for anyone who takes them, but this proves to be true for nurses. A 2021 study  reports that nurses who took short naps during their 12-hour shifts produced better quality care, had less fatigue, and felt more energized.

Although many nurses work 12-hour shifts, extended work hours can lead to excessive drowsiness, increased patient errors, and occupational injuries for those who may be more suited to a daytime schedule instead.

Knowing when to take naps during work can be difficult, depending on a nurse’s workplace policies and personal work style. However, for those who want to try, there are ways to do so without oversleeping.

How Do Workplaces Feel About Naps During Breaks? 

Many workplaces have different views on when and how nurses can sleep during their breaks or if they can nap at all.

Chris McDermott, MSN, APRN-IP, a certified life care planner at Intercoastal Consulting & Life Care Planning, says that some hospitals and healthcare facilities acknowledge the benefits of short power naps for those working long or night shifts and may have designated rest areas or nap rooms to accommodate them. However, more traditional workplaces may view naps as something other than beneficial.

“Workplaces might discourage or even prohibit napping over concerns related to professionalism, the potential for longer-than-intended naps, or the fear of impaired performance post-nap,” says McDermott.

These fears are valid since ER wards and other critical care units require alertness at all times. Nancy Mitchell, RN, a contributing writer for the Assisted Living Center, mentions that some workplaces avoid naps because of the fear that nurses won’t be able to control their sleep.

“If you’re especially worn out, it may be challenging to prevent yourself from transitioning from a short nap into a deep sleep—even with an alarm,” says Mitchell. “Administration isn’t always willing to risk being short-handed because of a “bedtime” incident.”

Workplaces usually take these views due to the cultural, administrative, and policy perspectives of each institution. In this case, it’s important to ask your supervisor or anyone in administration what their policies are on napping so that you can avoid breaking the rules.

How Can Nurses with Long Shifts Take Naps?

If you can take naps off-duty, McDermott suggests the following strategies for quick rest:

  • Plan Ahead: Know the length of your break and set an alarm to ensure you wake up in time to resume your duties on your floor.
  • Find a Quiet Spot: This could be a designated nap room, an unused office, or a break room. Make sure it’s a safe and relatively quiet place.
  • Make Yourself Comfortable: Bring items like an eye mask, earplugs, or a small pillow to help you relax faster. You can also play white noise or calming music using earbuds.

It’s helpful to note that power naps up to 20 or 30 minutes are shown to be more effective in getting the energy you need to continue your shift without grogginess.

For slow shifts, consider napping tag team style with another nurse, with one nurse taking their turn to rest while the other is working. According to Mitchell, this is one of the most practical techniques you can take since you’ll have someone to keep you accountable and ensure you wake up on time. Plus, it encourages teamwork and collaboration.

Napping as an Effective Strategy

Taking naps during work is an underrated strategy that should be used more to improve nurses’ mood and quality of care. Nurse managers and hospital administrators should consider adopting power naps into nurses’ scheduled breaks so that patients and nurses can get the best experience in healthcare.

“The bottom line is that not everyone gets the chance to sleep 7 to 9 hours when they’re back home during the day,” says Mitchell. “The brief opportunities to sleep in during our shifts can make a world of difference in our energy levels and focus during those late hours.”