Nurse Cayers

I think of setting and maintaining solid personal boundaries to manage stress and prevent yourself from being taken advantage of. They are definitely learned over time but having an idea about them before starting practice is really important. Boundaries are the knowledge aspect of what we can handle versus what may cause intense overwhelm or exhaustion to the point of harm or distress. It is the question of when does one draw the line? Say no? Find a different approach? The behavior aspect of boundaries is protecting them in whatever method works for the individual; of course, within limits of appropriate behavior for a given situation. Protecting them entails rules or guidelines to protect one's self from reaching a point of overwhelm or exhaustion...harm or distress. This is the question of how does one draw the line? Say no? Find a different approach? Start to learn what you are OK with versus what you are not OK with before you start practice. You'll likely have to try different strategies to protect your boundaries. Does this help, or would you like to learn more?

I think of boundaries themselves as knowledge that we have about ourselves that is learned over time. It's the knowledge aspect of what we can handle versus what may cause intense overwhelm or exhaustion to the point of harm or distress. It is the question of when does one draw the line? Say no? Find a different approach? The behavior aspect of boundaries is protecting them in whatever method works for the individual; of course, within limits of appropriate behavior for a given situation. Protecting them entails rules or guidelines to protect one's self from reaching a point of overwhelm or exhaustion...harm or distress. This is the question of how does one draw the line? Say no? Find a different approach? Does this resonate with you? Would having solid boundaries help reduce some of the stress that nurses face?

Did your healthcare program discuss the harsh working conditions of nursing environments? How about any current or previous employers? What about ways to incorporate evidence-based strategies to reduce burnout? Do you want to learn strategies to help you have a long, fulfilling nursing career? This includes mindfulness-based programs, emotional intelligence, resilience training, strategies to maintain solid boundaries, consistent self-care, and peer or professional support, among other topics.

These are great strategies. I wish nursing schools, or even new graduate transition to practice programs, provided actions like these that help nurses to be better prepared for the working conditions they will face. I think it would help more nurses avoid burnout and stay at the bedside for longer. Thanks for providing the references also.

Do any residency programs teach strategies to help new nurses have a long, fulfilling career?

Do you wish you learned strategies in school or from employers to help you have a long, fulfilling nursing career? How would that have helped you?

School will give you some skills to help, but ultimately, you will have to find strategies to manage your anxiety. You'll have to make yourself speak up, even if you don't want to or feel comfortable with it. My first conversation with a doctor made me so nervous but I felt better afterwards, knowing that I helped the patient. Remember why you became a nurse and that will help. Your confidence will grow over time with experience.

Did your nursing program or any employers provide you with strategies to maintain a long, fulfilling nursing career?

Hi DavidFR, Thanks for your question. By boundaries, I mean very much what you described. You gave some really great examples of your strategies to protect your boundaries. I totally support finding a facility that doesn't take advantage of you and has better working conditions. I think of boundaries themselves as knowledge that we have about ourselves that is learned over time. It's the knowledge aspect of what we can handle versus what may cause intense overwhelm or exhaustion to the point of harm or distress. It is the question of when does one draw the line? Say no? Find a different approach? The behavior aspect of boundaries is protecting them in whatever method works for the individual; of course, within limits of appropriate behavior for a given situation. Protecting them entails rules or guidelines to protect one's self from reaching a point of overwhelm or exhaustion...harm or distress. This is the question of how does one draw the line? Say no? Find a different approach? Does that clarify boundaries?

Hello fellow nurses, I'm passionate about arming nurses with strategies to keep them at the bedside. After experiencing burnout, I realized I didn't have solid boundaries to protect myself and forming them made a huge difference for me and my nursing practice. Do you think a course about maintaining personal boundaries in professional settings would be helpful to students, new graduates, or experienced nurses? I'd love for you to share your thoughts. Thanks!