Practice Tip of the Week | Supporting Nurses’ Mental Health

By Becca Segura, BSN, RN

Whether you are new to nursing or have years of experience, one truth remains clear: nursing is a demanding profession. It presents challenges that are not only physical but also mental and emotional.
The job demands long hours, intense concentration, and a considerable amount of emotional investment. Recently, many nurses, both new and seasoned, are feeling the burden more than ever.

From hospital floors to community clinics; university settings to home health, the mental health of nurses is taking a serious hit. Burnout, anxiety, and even depression are becoming far too common, and many nurses feel like there’s no time, energy, or space to deal with it. You are not alone
in this many of your colleagues are feeling the weight of it too.

The Pressures Look Different, But They’re Real at Every Level 

If you’re a new grad, the stress can feel overwhelming. You might grapple
with impostor syndrome and second-guess yourself during every medication pass and chart entry. You are learning on the go and trying to keep up. The pressure to “prove yourself” to your coworkers, patients, and even yourself can be intense. It’s okay
if you don’t have it all together—nobody expects you to. Still, that pressure is real, and it can take a toll.

For experienced nurses, the challenges may look different, but they are just as heavy. You might be managing staff, mentoring
new hires, covering shifts, or stepping into leadership roles. Many experienced nurses carry years, even decades, of emotional baggage, including losses, trauma, and burnout. Often, they prioritize others’ needs over their own in order to keep
everything afloat. You are the anchor for your teammates, but that does not mean you are immune to stress or exhaustion.

No matter where you are in your career, it’s important to recognize that your mental health matters.
While we cannot solve every systemic problem overnight, we can take steps to protect ourselves and support each other.

Making self-care a priority helps you build a solid foundation for your mental well-being, enabling you to better
handle the challenges that come your way. By focusing on your needs, you not only enhance your resilience but also empower yourself to face life’s difficulties with confidence and strength.

5 Easy Ways to Support Your Mental Health

1. Step Back and Breathe
When things get hectic—and they will—take a moment to pause for just 60 seconds. Focus on your breathing, find a quiet spot (even if it’s the med room or supply closet), or splash some water
on your face. These brief breaks are crucial as they interrupt the stress cycle and allow your mind to reset.

2. Talk to Someone You Trust

Whether it’s a mentor, coworker, or friend outside of nursing, don’t
keep things bottled up. New grads: connect with more experienced nurses who can help you feel less alone. Seasoned nurses: check in on your teammates and let someone check in on you as well. We all need to vent, laugh, cry, and decompress— preferably
with people who get it.

3. Lean on What You Know (and Keep Learning)

New grads: don’t be afraid to revisit basic self-care tips you learned in school— sleep, nutrition, boundaries. You learned them for
a reason. Seasoned nurses: take advantage of new tools and resources that didn’t exist when you started. Apps for meditation, quick mental health check-ins, and peer support networks are more accessible than ever.

4. Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

When you’re off the clock, be off the clock. Don’t feel guilty about turning off your phone, saying no to that extra shift, or leaving your charting at work. Recovery time is essential. Protecting your personal time helps you be more effective
when you return to work.

5. Ask for Help When You Need It

Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a demonstration of strength. Whether you’re asking a charge nurse to double-check something,
talking to a counselor, or requesting support from management, it’s a step toward longevity in this profession. We are not meant to do this alone, and it’s okay to reach out when you need it.

The Bottom Line

Nursing is one of the most meaningful professions out there—but it’s also one of the most challenging. No matter where you are on your journey, your mental health is vital and deserves your attention.
Taking care of ourselves and having each other’s backs makes a difference in our work life. When we focus on self-care, we show up as our best selves.

Plus, when we cheer each other on and work together, we build a strong, supportive
community. By prioritizing our own well-being and supporting one another, we can create a stronger, more sustainable future in our profession.

So let’s normalize the conversation around stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue—not with
shame, but with honesty. By openly discussing these issues, we can create a supportive and compassionate environment for all nurses. We should support new nurses as they find their footing and honor the experienced nurses who have carried out
this work for decades. We are all part of a shared journey, and we will emerge stronger if we take care of our mental well-being just as we do for our patients.

Find out what your workplace offers and know your resources. Do
you all have on-site peer support, EAP programs, Wellness programs? We always suggest knowing what you have internally and using your benefits to benefit you.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN) helps to support and monitor nurses with substance use or other mental health conditions so that they can recover safely and maintain their nursing license. The goal is to offer support and monitoring as an alternative to discipline approach. You can find out more information at our website below. Referrals are confidential and participation is voluntary for most nurses.

Texas Nurse Association Student Hub: Student Hub Website

National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMSHA

Texas Health & Human Services: HHS

988 Lifeline

24/7 Crisis Text Line, text 741741

Veterans Crisis Line- Dial 988 then press 1

Texas 211 to find help with food, health, housing and more.