Nurses play a critical role in healthcare, and their mental health is just as important as their patients’ health. However, nurses cannot fully support their patients’ well-being if they do not prioritize their own health first. Working in a fast-paced and high-stress environment can take a toll on nurses, leading to burnout, compassion fatigue and other mental health issues. These unique dynamics make self-care an essential trait for nurses to develop.
The Northern Kentucky University (NKU) online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program emphasizes quality and safety in patient care while instilling lifelong learning as a hallmark of professional nurses. Skills gained in this program include the ability to develop a sense of their own mental health and how to protect it.
Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Nurses’ Mental Health?
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted nurses’ mental health, with many experiencing increased stress, anxiety and burnout. In addition, the protracted nature of the pandemic and the initial increase of patients combined with ongoing staffing shortages have weighed heavily on nurses.
Many have been unable to return to pre-pandemic levels of career satisfaction, according to a recent survey reported by AMN Healthcare. After a decade of reporting 80-85% fulfillment with the job’s demands and benefits, the 2023 survey found that number had dropped to 71%.
Other survey findings include:
- Seventy-five percent of nurses have experienced burnout since the start of the pandemic.
- Half have had feelings of trauma, extreme stress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Sixty-four percent reported feelings of depression and a decline in physical health.
- Ten percent of nurses have had suicidal thoughts.
What Are the Most Common Mental Health Problems Impacting Healthcare Professionals?
Several workplace elements unique to healthcare, such as heavy workloads, irregular shifts and an intense emotional burden from witnessing pain and loss, place nurses and other healthcare professionals at risk for mental health issues. Common mental health problems include the following:
- Compassion fatigue
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Burnout
- Substance abuse disorders
- Suicidal ideation
Is There a Stigma Associated With Nurses Receiving Mental Healthcare?
While making more mental health services and resources available to nurses is a step in the right direction, there remains a stigma associated with accessing mental healthcare and a fear of career repercussions.
To combat this stigma, healthcare leaders must promote a culture of openness and support around mental health. As noted by Lippincott Nursing Center, nurses should feel empowered to seek the care they need without fear of negative consequences — and the healthcare industry has a responsibility to support them in this endeavor.
The Healthcare Industry’s Response to Nurses’ Mental Health Concerns
The healthcare industry has become increasingly aware of how work-related stress affects nurses’ mental health, particularly since the pandemic, and has addressed these concerns. For example, at a federal level, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has committed to bringing attention to this cause through the Health Worker Mental Health Initiative and encouraging more open discussion around mental wellness. The initiative seeks to offer screening tools, reduce the stigma associated with receiving mental healthcare and remove barriers to care. It also provides resources to healthcare employers to implement mental health programs at their facilities.
Additionally, research suggests that healthcare organizations can implement the following to support employee mental health: more robust and comprehensive mental health benefits; greater commitment to evidence-based treatments; peer-reviewed research validation; and prioritization of technology and AI to alleviate heavy workloads.
In addition, employers should focus on staff retention by offering competitive compensation and benefits and developing lateral and adjacent career pathways for nurses interested in moving into management or advanced practice. As these nurses enter leadership positions, they can also help eliminate the stigma associated with mental health for the next generation of nursing professionals.
How an RN to BSN Program Helps Patient and Employee Mental Well-Being
In NKU’s online RN to BSN program, students gain the versatile nursing skills to succeed in several roles and specialty areas, including pediatrics, maternity, mental health and more. While graduates of this program have the evidence-based skills to pursue careers and further education in the mental health space, they will also gain foundational skills to recognize and prioritize their own mental health needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained nurses’ mental health, and the healthcare industry has made strides in responding to these concerns. Still, much work remains to reduce the stigma around seeking mental healthcare and ensure nurses can access support and resources. Nursing programs and workplaces must acknowledge and emphasize the importance of nurses’ mental health. This can be done by developing nurses’ skills in mental healthcare and by encouraging a healthy workplace culture prioritizing employee health.
Learn more about NKU’s online RN to BSN program.
