Pediatric Nursing - STress and Burnout (1)

U.S.A. Arizona

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Hello - I am a graduate nurse conducting a study on the impact of using an on-line support system to decrease stress and burnout among pediatric nurses in the state of Arizona. I am using the Maslach Burnout Inventory scale to measure pre and post levels of stress and burnout around a month long support group. All responses are welcome, or if you would like to officially be a participant in my study please send my a private message and I would be more than happy to send you more information. Each week a new topic of discussion is explored, with the first being posted below. thanks, nurselittlek....

When you have a chance take a few minutes and introduce yourself to the rest of the group. Some information you might like to share could include years in nursing, type of nursing currently working in or interested in, and family structure/dynamics if applicable. Feel free to share as much or as little as your comfortable with....

As many of you know the nursing shortage is a huge topic of discussion around the country and the US Department of Health and Human Services predicted a shortage of 600,000 nurses by this year. In addition, the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education & Practice had found that in 2000 almost 500,000 licensed RNs were not working in the field of nursing. With those numbers in mind please read the following questions and provide your thoughts on our "shortage."

1) In your facility is there a shortage of nurses?

2) What has your facility done to fix this problem?

3) If present, do you think this shortage of staff makes your work environment more stressful?

4) Why do you think people aren't entering the field of nursing?

5) Why do you think RNs are leaving the profession?

6) What can be done to fix this problem?

Thanks and look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts.

Does anyone use extra hobbies or exercise as a form of stress relief or are those things that you just enjoy doing and do them just because? For example - I exercise to stay in shape, I don't often feel "less stressed" about life or work when I'm done exercising. I know there are others who feel its a great stress reducer.

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I am not sure exercising makes me feel less stressed either. I do find when I exercise I have more energy. I don't think I have any particular hobbies that help me destress. I do enjoy sitting on my couch and watching a movie every or just being lazy every once in a while. Sometimes when I am stressed out cleaning helps distract me. I like to clean because I can see the results of my handiwork immediatly.

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Week 2 was about support systems and it appears that most everyone agrees that it's sometimes harder to talk about work related things with people who are not familiar with nursing. I also touched on different avenues to reduce stress. This week we'll focus more on that topic. Please feel free to also talk about anything else that's on your mind, use the group as a sounding board as much as you'd like.

So, with that.....several studies have found that "taking care of yourself" can reduce stress. Examples of these interventions include having a hobby, exercising, and meditation with the key common factor being that they are self directed.

1) Do any of you participate in one or more of these activities? If yes then what?

2) Do you participate in these specifically for stress reduction or for another reason?

3) Do you think that work related stress is decreased by participation in these activities?

4) If you do not participate in any of these activities is it because you're too busy, they're too expensive, there's a lack of interest, or a multitude of factors?:monkeydance:

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Having little time to do anything is what seems to stress me out. I'm always feeling rushed it seems and can't seem to relax to enjoy things and take part in hobbies right now. Now that I have one less big stressor in my life I can now maybe have more time to pick up hobbies. I do enjoy running and feel that by exercising I feel better. I feel by taking part in hobbies will help reduce stress as long as we have time for them. This summer I'm going make time for hobbies & have relax by going on a couple of vacations! The best way to reduce stress is when the stressor is eliminated, whether it's a project that needs to be done, etc. At work, it's more related to getting all the cares, tests, and procedures done and maintain organization to feel less stressed!

The hobbies I participate in are not really to reduce stress but to enjoy life, but in a way for me running can help reduce stress for multiple reasons. Cuz actually running is relaxing for me. Unfortunately I haven't had much time to run, but hopefully will now that I don't have as much to do as I recently did.

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Specializes in NICU.

There are times I have so much going on...about the only exercise I get is rolling over in bed...I have started to bike ride again..and have gotten back into going to the health club.I take my dog to the dog park....I can get "lost" there by just watching all the dogs play...and aside from 1 person..theres no one else there in the medical profession-sometimes easier to not talk about it.Am just getting ready to go on a mini vacation...for a field seminar up at Yellowstone-somewhere I have never been before...dont have to think about work for a few days..:paw: :pumpiron:

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I definitely like the idea of recognition for continuing education. I think nurses, historically rest on their past education and many are reluctant to advance their practice. This would serve a dual purpose. The nurses would be getting the recognition they so richly deserve and the institution would be getting smarter happier staff.

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I empathize with Calzonan about the torture of being a nursing student. Although what you describe sounds much worse than what I experienced 20+ years ago. It seems that the nursing shortage has finally made it next to impossible to solve our problem. Now, not only do we not have enough nurses to take care of patients, we don't have enough nurse educators to teach new nurses, so we have people that want to become nurses that have to wait for a spot in a program. Then to make matters even worse, when we get people into a program, the nurses are so burned out that they don't have the patience to nurture their novices along. Talk about a nightmare!!!!!!!

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I am very late in getting active and I apologize. Nurselittlek asked if we would consider going to a salaried pay structure. I would have to see a proposal before I would answer that. I can say that I am salaried now, but I do not work at the bedside and I definitely work well over the number of hours that I am technically paid. I like being salaried, because of the flexibility in my schedule. I wouldn't have that flexibility at the bedside.

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When it comes to work related stress I usually rely on my work friends for support. One of the most difficult things is to try to share the death of a preemie with someone that knows nothing about medicine, which in my case is my entire family and non-work related friends. If I'm stressed over general job related things I can talk to my husband or sometimes just losing myself in a bookor playing with my dogs is enough to relieve my stress.

I don't think nurses ask for help enough. Sometimes it's because they don't think of it because they get caught up in what they are doing, sometimes it's pride or fear of being seen as a failure, sometimes it's because they don't think anyone else is available to help or they don't think anyone else can do it as well as they can.

One way to increase social support systems is simply by making time for them. It is like the rule for saving... always pay yourself first, then pay the bills. When you are making your schedule, make sure you start with time for yourself and then schedule all of the other appointments.

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When something is bothering me and I can't quite figure out what it is, or maybe I know what it is and I can't do anything about it I will do what I call "nesting". Most other people think of it as spring cleaning or organizing. I'll clean out closets or cabinets or the garage. My husband knows to stay out of my way when I have a closet or cabinet emptied out. It can be very cathartic.

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I don't participate in any of these activities. I like spontaniety too much. I've tried different health clubs and hobbies, but quickly get bored with all of them. I like variety. The closest I get to meditation is when I get on my floatie in my pool and listen to a book on tape while I float in the pool. That is probably the biggest destressor I have. Just thinking about it I think my heart rate and blood pressure dropped.

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It has been very interesting reading the different postings. I think it is pretty clear that we're all in agreement that nursing can be stressful and the the shortage of nurses and educators is one of the main reasons. For this last week I thought we'd focus on self affirmation. With that, think about and rspond to the following questions... Why did you go into nursing? Why are you a nurse today? Are you happy doing what you do? If you could start all over would you do it all again? If no then what profession would you have chosen instead and why? Do you or will you recommend nursing to others?In addition please provide a closing comments and include an inspirational quote or comment for the group. :monkeydance:

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