Nursing is a rewarding career. However, it brings many challenges. Nurses often feel overwhelmed by the lack of adequate rest and personal commitments. They neglect their own needs because of a hectic work schedule. They can fail family matters because they lack time to complete personal chores. To find a work-life balance, nurses must understand how to manage their time and practice good management techniques.
Although it is nearly impossible to find the time needed for family, friends, and self when working as a nurse, it becomes manageable if one adopts the right mindset. We’ve mentioned a few work-life balance tips below to simplify things. These tips help to make life easier for nurses who want to maintain good relationships with family and friends while enjoying the benefits of working as a nurse.
Upskill
Nurses should continue to learn new things and grow throughout their jobs. Upskilling prevents them from stagnation and enables them to tap into work opportunities that offer better flexibility. So, nurses can join study groups to improve their professional skills, attend workshops and conferences, or read the latest nursing journals. Nurses who want to become educators or administrators can also take an online MSN Nursing Education program to upskill quickly. This program will allow nurses to grow professionally and seek jobs that enable them to balance their lives in a more harmonious way.
Practice good management
It is ideal for nurses to work a forty-hour week. In truth, the average nurse works more than that – sometimes as much as sixty hours per week. It is best to leave work at employment and not bring it home with them when possible. If nurses work less, they can better manage personal time and enjoy a more balanced life. So, nurses must manage their shifts in the best possible way to not let work interfere with personal commitments.
Take breaks
Breaks help the body and mind to relax, resulting in improved performance. Nurses should take five-minute breaks every hour or two. Nurses should rest and drink water during the intervals. Additionally, a nurse should take a fifteen-minute coffee break in the morning and afternoon.
Adopt a routine
A routine allows nurses to know what tasks they need to complete and when they should finish them. For example, they can designate the last ten minutes of each hour for charting and plan out their physical needs during that time. A routine also gives nurses a sense of control over their working time.
Ask for help
Sometimes nurses can’t complete every task on their to-do list, primarily if they work extra hours or shifts. Nurses must ask for help when necessary. They must not be overly prideful. Nurses should ask coworkers for assistance during patient hand-offs and request help from family members when they are having trouble managing housework tasks.
Delegate
Nurses also have to learn to give instructions and trust other practitioners and medical aides with new assignments. This idea of delegation should be present in the nurse’s minds throughout their careers. Nurses should remember that delegation can lead to success, promote better teamwork, and improve patient care.
Take care of yourself
Above all else, nurses must remember to take care of themselves. They should take time for personal activities such as reading, exercising, and napping. Nurses should also not forget to eat healthy food throughout their shift and keep healthy snacks at their workstations. In addition, nurses should stay hydrated throughout the day and visit the doctor for regular check-ups.
Maintain friendships
One of the benefits of working as a nurse is the variety of exciting people nurses meet throughout their careers. Nurses should hold onto these friendships. They should not be too busy to socialize. They can invite friends to their homes, go out on dates, or meet for a drink after work. Nurses can also maintain old friendships by speaking to friends and family on the phone, via Skype, or social media. The important thing is that nurses put time aside to socialize with people they love.
Read books
Reading books is a healthy pastime that helps take the mind off stress. Nurses could read novels during breaks or non-fiction books during their downtime. Books can allow nurses to gain knowledge and inspiration to carry them through tough times and provide an escape from reality. Nurses can also join book clubs or start their own. They could even write books themselves! The only limit is the nurses’ imagination. The field of nursing is a competitive and tough one. Nurses should take advantage of every minute they have and enjoy themselves as much as possible. Nurses should take care of themselves, trust in the delegation, and remember to ask for help when necessary.
Prioritize
It’s easy to get caught up in the long, day-to-day tasks necessary for the proper treatment of patients. First, nurses must prioritize personal needs above all else. If family or friends need help, nurses should step in without hesitation. However, if personal needs are not an emergency, it is best to plan them into the daily schedule. Additionally, nurses should force themselves to be present during family time or events rather than thinking about work-related issues. The final step is to set priorities for work tasks. Nurses should check off the essential functions while recording other ideas in a notebook or online file.
Conclusion
Staying healthy and fit is one of the most complex parts of being a nurse. Nurses should take care to prioritize their own needs above all else. If they feel overwhelmed, it is best to ask for help. Nurses should also adopt healthy routines, delegate tasks when necessary, and take breaks throughout the day. Above all else, nurses should take care of themselves and maintain friendships throughout their careers. Creating an ideal work-life balance will enable nurses to remain healthy, mentally alert on the jobs, avoid burnout, and provide patients with better care.
