PhD, MS, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, CDCES, CNE, CCRN
Everyone knows nurses play a critical role in healthcare, providing patient care and support around the clock, but the demands of the profession can take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Recognizing the importance of nurse health and wellness, the American Nurses Association (ANA) launched a unique campaign for nurses, “Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation,” on May 1, 2017 (ANA, 2021). The campaign’s primary goal is to improve the health and well-being of nurses across the United States and focuses on addressing various health-related issues that impact nurses and providing tools and support to help them lead healthier lives.
The ANA campaign takes a holistic approach to nurse well-being covering five main categories: physical health, mental health, work-life balance, occupational hazards, and the significance of peer support and professional networking in maintaining a healthy workforce.
Nurses often work long hours, engage in physically demanding tasks, and face irregular schedules, which can impact their physical health. The ANA knows physical fatigue can create mental and emotional fatigue, which can then affect physical health. It’s great to know that a major nursing professional nursing association has your back and recognizes your hard work.
As a solution, the ANA emphasizes the importance of regular exercise and physical activity, promotes healthy eating habits, and addresses sleep deprivation and fatigue. Prioritizing physical health can contribute to increased energy levels, better job performance, and reduced risk of chronic health issues. For those working 12-hour shifts on their feet, it would seem to fulfill the 150 minutes per week requirement for exercise. But remember — strength training, muscle flexibility, and even relaxation contribute to overall health.
The ANA recognizes the crucial role of mental health in the profession and that it must be prioritized for nurses to provide quality patient care.
High stress levels, exposure to traumatic events, and emotional strain, can all significantly affect a nurse’s mental and emotional well-being. To address this, the ANA has launched a campaign to raise awareness about mental health challenges in nursing and provide resources for stress management and burnout prevention.
The campaign promotes self-care strategies and helps foster emotional well-being. The ANA has been an important voice for nurses in advocating for mental health support and resources from nursing employers. It’s recommended that nurses check with their employer to see what resources are available for counseling, support groups, or other help.
In a survey four years after the campaign launched, and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses reported a higher incidence of anxiety and depression. More than 30% reported they felt down and depressed in the past 30 days (HNHN, 2021). The HNHN responded by offering a free, one-year subscription to a mental health app called Headspace PLUS, which promotes healthy sleep, mindful eating, meditation and more.
In the four-year highlights report after initiating the campaign, numerous healthcare employers have joined the effort to support healthy nurses by offering resources, programs, incentives and more. Check out the report to see if your employer is one of them.
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is essential for nurses to sustain their passion for their profession while nurturing their personal lives. The ANA campaign advocates for flexible work schedules and supports family and caregiving responsibilities.
By recognizing the importance of balancing professional and personal commitments, nurses can experience reduced stress and improved overall well-being. There is an interesting myth in our culture that the more hours you work, and the busier you are, the more important of a person you are. Not true. You are significant on your own, which is your divine inheritance.
Watch the ANA YouTube video about how to incorporate the Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation five domains into your regular daily life.
Today’s nurses are realizing the importance of balancing work and play—and you need to find the balance, or you will burn out. Symptoms of burn out include depression, lack of joy and purpose in activities you used to enjoy, and feeling negative orcynical about your work environment and people around you.
The ANA campaign recognizes the power of peer support and aims to facilitate community and connection among nurses through its wellness programs. The programs help connect nurses, nursing students, and nursing organizations via online platforms, newsletters, and social media. There are discussion boards, contests, blogs, and more with more than 238,000 participating nurses and more than 580 partner organizations. You can join for free at www.hnhn.org or text “healthy nurse” to 52-886 to receive free monthly health tips via text.
Creating a culture of wellness in healthcare organizations, incorporating wellness into nursing education and training, utilizing mindfulness and resilience-building techniques, implementing workplace wellness programs and initiatives, and integrating mental health services and resources are some of the proven approaches that can significantly impact nurse well-being.
The ANA Campaign for Healthy Nurses has already made a positive impact on many nurses’ lives. Personal experiences and success stories from nurses who have benefited from the campaign highlight its effectiveness in improving nurses’ well-being. Such testimonials also emphasize the significance of nurse health in enhancing patient care and quality outcomes. Check out their website for more real RN stories. You could be the next story of renewed health and empowerment.
The ANA Campaign for Healthy Nurses serves as a beacon of hope for nurses struggling to maintain their well-being amidst the challenges of their profession. By addressing various aspects of nurse health and offering resources and support, the campaign plays a vital role in promoting nurse’s well-being. As nurses continue their journey of caring for others, it is vital to remember the importance of self-care and prioritizing your own health and wellness. You’re worth it!
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