We’ve watched family nurses often being plagued by a fragile work-life balance that negatively impacts their mental health. A healthcare practitioner’s vocation isn’t scattered with flowers, and nurses are now some of the most hardworking professionals in the health industry.
Their occupation remains extremely demanding – both mentally and physically – during an ongoing global health crisis. You can’t avail all the career advancement opportunities this career offers unless you learn to survive this difficult profession. So, how do you survive as a family nurse in the 21st century? We’ve suggested some ways for helping RNs make a successful transition from student to worker. Read our below-mentioned tips carefully.
Tips for family nurses to enhance their well-being
Many nursing students pursue their health careers as FNP (family nurse practitioners) through an MSN FNP program, to boost their earning potential. It’s estimated that family nurses make $114,000+ each year on average. This profession is one of the most financially rewarding in the health industry. However, students should prepare themselves for a strenuous schedule during and after their education.
Several nursing students seem unaware of the strategies for excelling in their careers today. Survival remains an integral portion of your education. So, we’ll describe here some strategies to help young nurses thrive in their careers as healthcare professionals. Follow our suggestions to remain steadfast in the pursuit of your goals:
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Keep on learning:
As a family nurse, your survival relies upon learning constantly. Increase your education and bolster your knowledge by leveraging distance learning opportunities. Therefore, you may now get an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Degree from a reputable institute.
This degree can help you enhance your nursing knowledge to enjoy more autonomy and flexibility in the health industry. Moreover, you can further improve your learning by reading medical journals or listening to relevant podcasts.
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Find a mentor:
Nurses require effective mentorship to survive the problems affecting their productivity. Today, we have many hospitals offering mentorship programs to young nurses. However, if you don’t find such programs in your organization, try to find a mentor by yourself.
Watch your mentor and allow them to teach you the skills needed to excel as a family nurse. This mentorship doesn’t need to be formal, as you may learn from them informally. Also, remember to ask your mentor some questions.
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Ask questions:
You can’t become an effective healthcare practitioner without asking the right questions. Now, you don’t have to be afraid to ask questions. It exhibits bravery and shows your mentor that you’re more than willing to enhance your learning.
Start being curious if you wish to survive as a family nurse. It’s important to learn about all the medical mistakes nurses often make so you may avoid them. Asking questions can help you remember the necessary information about nursing for your future.
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Deal with conflicts:
Conflict management remains integral to your duties in any organization. Don’t neglect to resolve an intense conflict in the workplace. You must hone your communication capabilities for dealing with a workplace disagreement effectively.
Sometimes, all you have to do is listen to people’s problems. An ambitious healthcare practitioner realizes how many conflicts emerge from misunderstandings. So, FNPs can survive in an organization by handling conflicts smartly without offending anyone.
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Guard emotional health:
“Emotional well-being” deals with your thinking, feeling, and retrospection. Nurses require this sort of health for dealing with negative emotions. However, studies show that 60% of RNs have reported being emotionally exhausted.
That’s why we suggest establishing healthy boundaries to create a fine work-life balance. When you leave the workplace, leave behind all the stress you’ve been carrying. It helps you recover your emotional well-being. These boundaries support your mental health.
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Get enough rest:
Nurses shouldn’t be sleep-deprived if they’re willing to perform their duties properly. So, we suggest FNPs get enough rest to prevent on-site exhaustion from tampering with their productivity. So, RNs must sleep to energize themselves and revitalize their tired minds.
Make your bedtime routine more relaxing by avoiding screen time right before you fall asleep. Catch morning sunlight and stay away from consuming caffeinated beverages in the afternoon. That’s how you sleep tight each night!
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Hydrate your body:
You must drink plenty of water for your survival, not just as an FNP but also as a human being! Some nurses consider caffeinated beverages their revitalizing companions. However, drinking coffee isn’t helpful when you’re dealing with the stress of being a nurse.
Your body and brain must have water to function effectively. Dehydration can hamper your productivity. So, drink lots of water, and you can survive the demanding nursing profession. As a family nurse, hydration is the key to survival.
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Exercise more often:
FNPs must engage in regular exercise to maintain their physical health. Exercise doesn’t just bolster your physical well-being but also improves your mental health. That’s why experts recommend RNs work out for 30 minutes daily to stay attentive.
A steady workout routine can enhance your thought patterns and positively show you how to cope with grief. You can also adopt healthy pastimes such as jogging, walking, or gardening. These hobbies help you survive your jarring nursing career.
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Get professional assistance:
It’s regular for FNPs to develop depressive symptoms since their vocation’s emotionally demanding. Statistics indicate that almost one-fifth of RNs in 2020 exhibited symptoms of depression.
Therefore, we suggest family nurses seek professional assistance whenever their duties seem overwhelming to them. Don’t hesitate when it comes to talking to therapists/counselors about your well-being. That’s how you can survive the emotional exhaustion of being a family nurse in a worldly pandemic.
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Take breaks often:
Don’t hesitate to take breaks often. Slow down whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed. Many young nurses aspire to become more productive and take on unnecessary responsibilities that only exhaust them in the end.
Delegate tasks as often as you can and don’t accept any task you can’t accomplish. Also, the fastest doesn’t always win the race! Don’t rush trying to do your duties. You need to have some self-control. Thus, take your breaks often and cater to your mental/physical well-being.
Conclusion
Mental health concerns remain troublesome for modern-day nursing students. Experts believe that 40% of RNs suffered from burnout before the pandemic. However, 70% of nurses were “burnt out” after the emergence of the coronavirus. So, how can you survive as a family nurse in today’s climate? We suggest RNs enhance their education while finding a mentor to learn about the field of nursing. Also, you should communicate effectively with your colleagues. Don’t forget about self-care; eat healthily, sleep properly, and drink plenty of water. You can engage in regular exercise to boost your mental/physical health. These suggestions can help family nurses survive their education and succeed at this job.