Is nursing really stressful?

[Mshrader]

Is nursing really stressful?? Someof the comments on the threads scare me when thinking about getting into the health professions or nursing. I am a purdue student. Some nurses seem like it isn't too stressful but some seem like it's a very stressful. What are some stressful experiences during your shifts???

[PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Lots of variables to consider... Personalities, type of unit, acuity, about of managerial support... The short answer is yes, nursing is stressful. But a lot of factors come into play with how that stress is handled and from where it originates.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I love working as a nurse. Yes, it was also stressful. I didn't even realize I was experiencing high levels of stress while working because I loved being at work, I loved going to work.

Stress in nursing can come from experiences that you know are stressful while you are going through them. This includes having a supervisor who is rude or mean. Or stress can occur when you have A mean or combative pt.

As for me, I felt i could handle this type of stress. Go home, laugh about it, talk to other staff about it and start over the next day without it affecting me or my work.

But, I feel that nursing is stressful sometimes in ways we don't notice. For example, the fact that we have so many tasks to do and often not enough time. This time pressure can cause a person to have stress build and build. Observing the way management treats other staff poorly also affects morale, even if you aren't being targeted at the time.

Constantly changing policies and procedures also adds to the cumulative effects of stress on nurses. Competing priorities without clear guidance and being held accountable is also stressful.

I was fortunate that the DON I worked with the longest was very clear to me about prioritization and the use of critical thinking on the job. I had other supervisors who weren't that clear and it was horribly stressful.... The kind of stress that makes you physically ill.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

When you are it, at Bedside of a pt gasping for air, starting an IV on a pediatric pt, advocating for better care Of a pick patient that the doc is dismissing.....yes, it's stressful.

some thrive, some struggle. Most nurses find an area they love so the stress is manageable

[Lad345]

Honestly? Ask me after I get report for a shift. Hahaha.

Some days are insane, some just crawl by. It's up to my patients' conditions, honestly. But even a single patient can surprise you. I MET'd a patient because I suspected, and later confirmed post ABG--her to be in hypercapnic respiratory distress. We worked on her for 40 minutes, before we had her out of danger. Twenty eight hours later, we're walking the halls without a care.

I think a degree of stress is healthy. I work with specialized surgeries and ICU stepdowns. Some of my patients are very sick, or they are high risk because they are fresh s/p some very elaborate surgeries. But I don't really feel too stressed per se, because I love my speciality. I'd more call it feeling challenged, but it's a great feeling, not a negative one.

Every once and again, one of our patients starts heading down quickly and we have to go get them back.

But I find keeping my clinical confidence up gives me the most peace of mind: by staying on top of new education opportunities, reading nursing research journals regularly, and being active on committees.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

Yes it is very stressful. It will age you rapidly and the stress can take a toll on your health.

I believe that this job has taken ten years off of my life.