Nurses care for everyone: But who cares for a nurse?

• Published in: Current medicine research and practice Vol. 14; no. 5; pp. 228 - 232
• Main Authors: Olorunfemi, Olaolorunpo, Akintoke, Titilope Elizabeth, Owoyomi, Deborah Oluwaseun, Orobode, Oluwakemi Rita, Owadokun, Janet Funmilola, Oahimijie, Florence Onyemaechi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.09.2024; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: burnout; Care and treatment; Chronic diseases; Flexible work hours; Health aspects; Health care industry; healthcare delivery; healthcare workforce; Job stress; Mental health; mental health in nursing; nurse support systems; nurse well-being; Nurses; Nursing; nursing interventions; occupational stress; Patients; physical health of nurses; Wellness programs; workplace wellness; Nigeria
• DOI: 10.4103/cmrp.cmrp_43_24
• ISSN: 2352-0817

Nurses provide essential services across diverse healthcare settings, yet their own health and well-being are often overlooked. The physical, mental, and emotional demands of their profession can lead to burnout, stress, and various health issues. Ensuring nurses’ well-being is vital not only for their personal health but also for maintaining high-quality patient care. Therefore, this review seeks to explore the challenges nurses face in maintaining their own well-being This review synthesizes data from peer-reviewed journals, reports, and studies from the past decade. PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL were searched using keywords like “nurse well-being,” “burnout,” “mental health in nursing,” and “occupational stress.” Relevant articles focusing on nurses’ well-being, challenges, and interventions were selected The findings of this review indicate that nurses face a range of challenges that adversely affect their well-being, including long working hours, inadequate staffing, exposure to traumatic events, and limited access to mental health resources. The review also highlights the significant impact of these challenges on nurses’ physical health, leading to musculoskeletal issues and chronic fatigue, as well as their mental health, resulting in burnout, anxiety, and depression. Several studies suggest that interventions such as workplace wellness programs, mental health support, flexible scheduling, and organizational changes aimed at reducing workload can positively influence nurse well-being. In Conclusion the well-being of nurses is a critical issue that requires immediate attention from healthcare institutions, policymakers, and society at large. This review demonstrates that while nurses are indispensable in caring for others, their health is often compromised due to the demands of their profession. To ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems, it is essential to implement comprehensive strategies that support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of nurses.