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For nurses, professional fulfillment and personal happiness go hand in hand. While patient care often defines the role, nurse wellbeing is equally crucial for sustaining energy, maintaining work-life balance, and preventing burnout.
Time away from clinical responsibilities allows nurses to recharge, nurture relationships, and invest in self-care practices that ultimately enhance patient care.
The importance of rest, recovery, rejuvenation, and mindful leisure cannot be overstated, as healthcare demands continue to challenge mental and physical health.
Here’s how to do just that.
1. Embracing rest and setting boundaries
Rest is the cornerstone of nurse wellness. According to the American Nurses Association, over 60% of U.S. nurses experience symptoms of burnout. Without proper rest, nurses risk compromising both their mental health and clinical effectiveness.
To achieve this, maintaining boundaries is crucial. Successful nurses intentionally plan their days off, block time for rest, and set clear limits on work-related tasks. Prioritizing sleep hygiene—consistent schedules and a quiet environment—supports recovery, while "digital detoxes" (reducing screen time from hospital apps and emails) allow for mental clarity.
Practical strategies to protect your downtime include:
- Setting specific times to check emails rather than being "always on"
- Using planners to allocate strict family or relaxation time
- Engaging in unstructured downtime, like reading a favorite book or taking short naps
2. Cultivating active wellness and personal passions
Structured wellness routines and personal hobbies amplify relaxation and generate fresh energy. Popular routines include exercise (yoga, walking, fitness classes) and meal prepping nutrient-rich foods to ensure consistent energy levels.
Beyond physical health, nurses should rediscover personal passions to boost self-esteem and disconnect from workplace stress. Learning new skills—like photography, cooking, or language classes—stimulates the brain and offers a sense of accomplishment.
Fresh ideas for active downtime include:
- Creative pursuits: Painting, music, or creative writing workshops
- Nature: Dedicating a Sunday to a hiking adventure or gardening
- Community: Hosting a small event or attending a local meet-up
3. Nurturing connections and mental resilience
A vital component of self-care is nurturing relationships and building emotional resilience. Family time strengthens bonds and provides the social support critical to preventing burnout. Simple gestures like shared meals, weekend outings, or storytelling sessions with children can be restorative.
Sustaining mental health also requires intentional daily rituals. Peer support systems, mentorship, and connecting with supportive colleagues offer shared accountability.
Small habits to build resilience include:
- Mindfulness: Practicing deep breathing, gratitude journaling, or morning reflection
- Micro-moments: Enjoying a cup of herbal tea in solitude or a warm bath
- Community: Volunteering or joining neighborhood projects to find purpose outside healthcare settings
4. Supporting nurse wellbeing through continuing education
Getting your continuing education units (CEUs) every license renewal period may seem like one more task on your to-do list, adding to your mental load.
But wait.
What if your continuing education can actually contribute to your physical and mental wellbeing?
Nightingale College, for example, offers a comprehensive Wellness Pursuit Program comprising 8 courses. Each of these courses offers 6 contact hours (0.6 CEUs) of structured, asynchronous instructional content. Nurses receive a badge for each course they complete.
- Physical Wellness: Focuses on developing healthy habits, including maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in regular exercise, and accessing appropriate healthcare
- Intellectual Wellness: Fosters a positive and constructive approach to lifelong learning, encouraging the practical application of acquired knowledge
- Emotional Wellness: Helps individuals express emotions effectively, find joy in life, conquer emotional hurdles, and manage stress with confidence
- Social Wellness: Develops the capacity to build and nurture meaningful relationships with friends, family, and the community
- Vocational Wellness: Emphasizes the importance of engaging in activities that provide individuals with a sense of meaning and purpose, including their jobs
- Environmental Wellness: Focuses on promoting healthy and safe environments in the home, workplace, and broader surroundings, contributing to a more sustainable future for all
- Financial Wellness: Offers practical skills and resources for effective financial management, enabling confident decision-making
- Spiritual Wellness: Focuses on cultivating a profound sense of purpose, achieving optimal balance, and cultivating inner tranquility
Additional wellness resources for nurses
Nurses seeking guidance and inspiration have access to a wide array of nurse wellness resources. Recommended tools include:
- Books: The Resilient Nurse: Empowering Your Practice and The Mindful Nurse: Using the Power of Mindfulness and Compassion to Help You Thrive in Your Work
- Podcasts: The Healthy Nurse Connection, The Happy Nurse, and Nursing Uncensored
- Apps: Headspace, Calm, and MyFitnessPal
- Organizations: American Nurses Association Wellness Programs, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and local nurse support groups
These resources provide evidence-based strategies for reducing nurse stress, promoting mental health, and fostering a healthy nursing lifestyle. Leveraging them ensures nurses maintain a holistic approach to wellbeing and nurse rejuvenation.
Investing in wellbeing every day
Nurses play a pivotal role in healthcare, yet their personal health often takes a backseat.
It’s time to start prioritizing nurse wellbeing. This type of self-care is not indulgent; it is essential for sustaining a rewarding career and maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
By embracing rest, exercise, cultivating wellness routines, nurturing relationships, exploring passions, and setting clear boundaries, nurses actively protect their mental health and foster long-term satisfaction.
Each act of nurse self-love—from family meals to solo hikes, yoga, or creative pursuits—serves as a building block for resilience, happiness, and professional longevity.
Investing in nurse wellness is an ongoing journey, and every day is an opportunity to strengthen the foundation of health, balance, and personal fulfillment. By supporting meaningful wellbeing routines for nurses, the nursing profession can thrive, one well-rested and rejuvenated caregiver at a time.
Looking to build a schedule that fits your lifestyle—not the other way around?
Pick up one or more per diem shifts with Nursa, and work with a local hospital or other healthcare facility near you.
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