Not much research on nurse's stress

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2004

I'd like to think management is aware of the stress we are under, but sometimes I wonder.

I can handle emergencies, those don't seem to stress me. The day to day stress of caring for high acuity patients with a high ratio of 8:1 is what seems to burn me out. For instance a social worker or case manager approaches you, "a ride is coming to take your patient to a nursing home in five minutes, be ready." Then the manager approaches, "hurry up, you're getting an admission from recovery room as soon as you get your patient out of here".

Also, you get off the phone with the staffer "there's nothing we can do for you tonight, you have to run a nurse short, also here's the supervisor, she wants to talk to you.". Supervisor: "You're getting three patients from the ER, which is on the verge of closing because they are so busy." Two seconds later ER "We faxed report and are sending the patient up."

None of those situations are emergent but cause me tremendous stress and burnout.

Many are going to say it's my own fault for allowing it to happen and acting like a victum.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jan 1, 2005

You're right. There doesn't appear to be a lot of research on the effects of stress on nurses and on their patient care, etc.

To my knowledge, Linda Aiken has come the closest of any researcher in addressing nurse stress (however indirectly):

http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/faculty/pubs.asp?yr1=2002&yr2=2002&pID=107

http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/faculty/pubs.asp?yr1=2001&yr2=2001&pID=107

The California Nurses Association also has some excellent articles on their website (check out Revolution Magazine--awesome).

Also, does anyone know of any research or statistics addressing how long the typical grad stays at the bedside? It has been my personal observation and experience that 5-7 years for MOST nurses seems to be the max, before they go on to something else less stressful (such as home health, health department settings, doctors' offices, or back to school for a higher level of education).

oramar · Jan 1, 2005

In past year there was one article posted with stats that demonstrated that the amount of time a new grad stays at bedside is decreasing dramatically. I think the same article showed men leave quicker than women. I wish I could remember the name of the article but I can't.

paris2 · Jan 1, 2005

I was in similar situation where the management was trying to pile as much as they could on me until i felt i was coping no longer. I had a long disscussion with my manager who kept promising me to provide more support, but did not act on it. So I decided to see the doctor at our occupational health department. I explained her everything and she was horrified. The doctor wrote to the manager asking him to balance my workload. He did it. So my advice don't ponder on it if you think they are asking you to do too much go and tell the manager, or go to occupational health department.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jan 1, 2005

PHP

],"a ride is coming to take your patient to a nursing home in five minutes, be ready." Then the manager approaches, "hurry up, you're getting an admission from recovery room as soon as you get your patient out of here". Also, you get off the phone with the staffer "there's nothing we can do for you tonight, you have to run a nurse short, also here's the supervisor, she wants to talk to you.". Supervisor: "You're getting three patients from the ER, which is on the verge of closing because they are so busy." Two seconds later ER "We faxed report and are sending the patient up."

Exactly!!!!!!

live4today, RN · Jan 1, 2005

TWEETY described floor nursing so well! Bravo Tweety!

The very reality of what Tweety spoke of is the one very important and crucial detail that is NOT being addressed by staffing.

A six to one ratio is NOT a good thing on a Medical and/or Surgical inpatient unit! :nono: Four to one (and I don't mean four completes either:uhoh3: ) is a much safer ratio that should be mandated into law in every hospital across the nation. Anything more than this is insane, unsafe, and a lawsuit waiting to happen. :eek:

pink.edwina · Jan 1, 2005

PHP
Exactly!!!!!!

Larry I get stressed, I'm a community staff nurse in District Nursing. I used to relieve stress by going out for a drive, now driving is part of my stress. There are days when the road appears to be full of homicidal maniacs out to get me and days when I am driving The Invisable Car. Alcohol is out as a stress reliever as I can't risk being over the limit the day after. Nobody asks about stress in nurses because nurses often don't care for each other and nurse managers are powerless to relieve the pressures that cause stress.

You are looking at pandoras box, don't open it.

The thing I fear most is prominent, wobbly veins.

stbernardclub · Jan 1, 2005

Talk To The Old Nurses, Those Who Have Been Retired From Nursing For Several Years Now, They Will Tell You How Stressful The Job Has Become. Nurses Are Now Mere Pawns In The Game Of Making Large Sums Of Money For Money Hungry Ba$$ards.

begalli · Jan 1, 2005

The thing I fear most is prominent, wobbly veins.

Okay, just as you are about to stick that wobbly vein, anchor it by placing your finger or thumb of the "non-sticking" hand a couple of inches below where you plan to stick. Press down gently and pull the skin down (or back and away from where you plan to stick) to tighten the area. Under the "non-sticking" finger or thumb is a distal portion of the same vein you plan to stick. By pressing down you are stabilizing the vein and by pulling down or back you are stretching out and straightening the vien so it doesn't "roll." This makes the stick less painful for the patient as well!!

pink.edwina · Jan 2, 2005

Okay, just as you are about to stick that wobbly vein, anchor it by placing your finger or thumb of the "non-sticking" hand a couple of inches below where you plan to stick. Press down gently and pull the skin down (or back and away from where you plan to stick) to tighten the area. Under the "non-sticking" finger or thumb is a distal portion of the same vein you plan to stick. By pressing down you are stabilizing the vein and by pulling down or back you are stretching out and straightening the vien so it doesn't "roll." This makes the stick less painful for the patient as well!!

Thank you for youbadvice, its just my pet dislike, it makes my knees wobbly

fiestynurse · Jan 2, 2005

Stress and Burnout in Nursing has been heavily researched. Look at some of the research being done at the Phd level at the major University Nursing programs. It is a well known fact that people in the "helping professions" are at a very high risk for burnout. And nurses are stressed more now than ever before.

You usually lose the best, most caring, staff to stress and burnout. The burned-out staff that stay will become less and less effective and increasingly cynical and will damage the working environment for others.

Nurses take care of everyone else, but neglect themselves. It is important that nurses maintain perspective in their lives and set healthy boundaries. Learn skills to reduce stress and recognize the signs of burnout in yourself and others.

Here are the early warning signs of Burnout:

Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down

Anger at those making demands

Self-criticism for putting up with the demands

Cynicism, negativity, and irritability

A sense of being besieged

Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things

Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances

Weight loss or gain

Sleeplessness and depression

Shortness of breath

Suspiciousness

Feelings of helplessness

Increased degree of risk taking