Resources and Tips to Combat Stress and Anxiety in Nursing School
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DISCLAIMER: The content provided on this blog is general in nature and does not constitute legal or medical advice. This blog is for reference only. Always consult with a qualified health care provider for any questions you may have regarding thoughts of suicide. If you believe someone is at imminent risk of harming themselves and is refusing help or you have reason to believe someone has harmed themselves, call 911. Laws vary by jurisdiction, locality, state, or country; please follow the laws of your specific jurisdiction and consult with an attorney if you have any questions regarding the laws of your jurisdiction.
By Catherine A. Stubin, PhD, RN, CNE, CCRN
The nursing profession requires interaction with an array of different people in a complicated and stressful environment. Stress has numerous economic ramifications such as financial costs for healthcare organizations, as well as consequences in nursing professionals’ physical and psychological health. The high stress associated with the nursing profession can negatively affect the health of nurses and the quality of patient care they provide. This tendency to care for others without question of the sacrifice of caring for themselves can manifest in severe, maladaptive consequences to health and well-being in nurses, leading to burnout, somatic and coronary artery illnesses, substance use disorder, and abandonment of the profession. Furthermore, nurses are at a significantly greater risk of suicide when compared to rates of suicide among the general population.
Mental health problems are more common among nursing students than in the general college student population. Nursing students report high levels of worry, anger, back pain, fatigue, palpitations, self-blaming tendencies, indecision, poor self-control, nervousness, low self-confidence, overreaction, and unhappiness in response to stress. Nursing education has also consistently been associated with anxiety among students. Demanding course loads, rigorous examinations, and continued pressure to attain a high-grade point average result in greater anxiety among nursing students. Anxiety has a negative effect on the quality of students᾽ life and education and may contribute to academic failure. Additionally, a high prevalence of depressive symptoms exists among nursing students. While there is a lack of literature on suicide in nursing students, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2019.
The psychosocial needs of nursing students are a pressing matter as mental health disorders may affect nursing students’ journeys as professional nurses. Preparing students to persevere through adversities is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health throughout their career. There is a correlation between health professionals’ resilience and well-being in the workplace, yet this concept is generally excluded from nursing education. Resilience is a core value and fundamental theme that must be addressed in nursing education. There are relevant educational strategies to assist students in developing resilience. Mindfulness-based stress reduction strategies , muscle relaxation exercises, self-care, communication skills, problem-solving skills, study skills, conflict-resolution skills, life coaching, and meditation practice are approaches to reduce stress and promote knowledge, skills, and attitudes for nurturing resilience.
Students should be encouraged to talk to trusted friends and family about negative mental health wellness. Peer support may be found in college and university wellness centers and campus chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Active Minds. Self-help strategies such as physical exercise and yoga can be beneficial in reducing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms as well as in improving overall health.
Although suicide is a global health concern, assessment and prevention of suicide are also not in the curricula of most colleges and universities. Agencies that advocate for suicide prevention include the American Association of Suicidology, the QPR Institute and Suicide Prevention Resource Center. If you’re in crisis, there are options available to help you cope. You can also call the Lifeline at any time to speak to someone and get support. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the United States, call 988.
The creation of a resilient nurse workforce begins with the mentoring and preparation of nursing students. Self-care and resilience-building techniques may improve nursing student mental health wellness, providing the necessary foundation for improving stress management in the workplace and increasing longevity and satisfaction in the profession.
Catherine A. Stubin, PhD, RN, CNE, CCRN, is an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University School of Nursing-Camden and a NLN Jonas Scholar.
You can find more resources on Nurse Suicide Prevention and Resilience here.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
The nursing profession requires interaction with an array of different people in a complicated and stressful environment. Stress has numerous economic ramifications such as financial costs for healthcare organizations, as well as consequences in nursing professionals’ physical and psychological health. The high stress associated with the nursing profession can negatively affect the health of nurses and the quality of patient care they provide. This tendency to care for others without question of the sacrifice of caring for themselves can manifest in severe, maladaptive consequences to health and well-being in nurses, leading to burnout, somatic and coronary artery illnesses, substance use disorder, and abandonment of the profession. Furthermore, nurses are at a significantly greater risk of suicide when compared to rates of suicide among the general population.
Mental health problems are more common among nursing students than in the general college student population. Nursing students report high levels of worry, anger, back pain, fatigue, palpitations, self-blaming tendencies, indecision, poor self-control, nervousness, low self-confidence, overreaction, and unhappiness in response to stress. Nursing education has also consistently been associated with anxiety among students. Demanding course loads, rigorous examinations, and continued pressure to attain a high-grade point average result in greater anxiety among nursing students. Anxiety has a negative effect on the quality of students᾽ life and education and may contribute to academic failure. Additionally, a high prevalence of depressive symptoms exists among nursing students. While there is a lack of literature on suicide in nursing students, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2019.
The psychosocial needs of nursing students are a pressing matter as mental health disorders may affect nursing students’ journeys as professional nurses. Preparing students to persevere through adversities is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health throughout their career. There is a correlation between health professionals’ resilience and well-being in the workplace, yet this concept is generally excluded from nursing education. Resilience is a core value and fundamental theme that must be addressed in nursing education. There are relevant educational strategies to assist students in developing resilience. Mindfulness-based stress reduction strategies , muscle relaxation exercises, self-care, communication skills, problem-solving skills, study skills, conflict-resolution skills, life coaching, and meditation practice are approaches to reduce stress and promote knowledge, skills, and attitudes for nurturing resilience.
Students should be encouraged to talk to trusted friends and family about negative mental health wellness. Peer support may be found in college and university wellness centers and campus chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Active Minds. Self-help strategies such as physical exercise and yoga can be beneficial in reducing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms as well as in improving overall health.
Although suicide is a global health concern, assessment and prevention of suicide are also not in the curricula of most colleges and universities. Agencies that advocate for suicide prevention include the American Association of Suicidology, the QPR Institute and Suicide Prevention Resource Center. If you’re in crisis, there are options available to help you cope. You can also call the Lifeline at any time to speak to someone and get support. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the United States, call 988.
The creation of a resilient nurse workforce begins with the mentoring and preparation of nursing students. Self-care and resilience-building techniques may improve nursing student mental health wellness, providing the necessary foundation for improving stress management in the workplace and increasing longevity and satisfaction in the profession.
Catherine A. Stubin, PhD, RN, CNE, CCRN, is an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University School of Nursing-Camden and a NLN Jonas Scholar.
You can find more resources on Nurse Suicide Prevention and Resilience here.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
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04/01/2024 6:56pm CDT
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