7 Effective Ways to Stay Calm and Focused as a Nurse - Geneva College
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7 Effective Ways to Stay Calm and Focused as a Nurse

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Career

Working as a nurse is a great way to combine your faith with practical skills to help those in need. However, this kind of job can come with a lot of pressure and stress, especially if you're a new nurse. It’s important to find effective ways to stay calm and keep anxiety under control if you want to be able to serve others well. Doing this helps you stay focused on caring for patients and handling other nursing duties. How do nurses stay calm under pressure? The following tips can help you feel more relaxed at work.

  1. Always Be Listening

Having good listening skills is essential for nurses. When you’re a good listener, you’ll be able to better understand how to provide your patients with the care they need. If you struggle to focus on what others are saying, work on improving your listening skills. When you’re having a conversation with someone, such as a patient or fellow nurse, pay close attention to what they’re saying. Concentrating on what the other person says can help you stay focused instead of getting distracted. You can also work on being a good listener at home or in other places, as well as at work. The more you practice, the better your listening skills will become.

  1. Take Care of Yourself

Taking good care of your physical and emotional health and well-being can help you become a better nurse. When you take care of yourself, you’ll have more energy and be able to handle stress more effectively, rather than allowing it to control you. Caring for yourself means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep and exercise, and working on managing stress in your everyday life, such as writing in a journal or practicing gratitude. Take time to consistently care for your physical and emotional needs, so you’ll feel calmer and healthier overall.

  1. In Stressful Moments, Remember to Breathe

Working as a nurse can have plenty of stressful moments, especially if you’re working long hours, dealing with a hectic workload, brand new on the job, or perhaps all of the above! When you find yourself feeling more stressed or anxious than usual, take time to breathe. Take a short break if possible, and focus on your breathing. Take deep, slow breaths to help calm your nerves and mind. Deep breathing can help ease stress and put you in a better frame of mind. Being able to get out of a stressful situation for a short break also gives you a bit of time to recharge, so you’ll be ready to resume caring for patients and handling the rest of your workload.

  1. Have a Healthy Sleeping Routine

The amount of sleep you get, and the quality of that sleep, can make a big difference in how stressed you feel at work. You should make sure you’re able to get a good night’s sleep each night, which starts with a healthy sleeping routine. This could involve reading instead of looking at screens a couple of hours before bed. You could even try a relaxing wind-down yoga routine or meditation. You should also keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, so it won’t get too hot or cold, and make the room as dark and quiet as possible.

  1. Monitor Caffeine Intake

Drinking one more coffee might give you a temporary energy boost, but it can also make you feel more anxious or stressed. While you can have some coffee or tea, you should watch how much caffeine you’re getting. Too much caffeine can make it much harder to stay focused and calm at work. Keep in mind that chocolate and other foods also contain caffeine. Try having a drink of water rather than coffee or tea when you want a refreshing drink. This can help you feel more awake without increasing your anxiety level.

  1. Remember to Eat and Nourish Your Body

No matter how busy you are as a nurse, it’s important to eat regular meals. Make time in your schedule to eat, even if it means having a quick snack. When choosing foods for your meals or snacks, stick with nutritious ones that provide your body with plenty of nutrients for energy and good health. For example, have carrot sticks for a quick snack instead of cookies or chips. Start your day off with a healthy breakfast before heading to work, and bring a nutritious lunch with you if possible.

  1. Always Keep Your Goals in Mind

When you have days that are more stressful than usual, remember your goals. Thinking about your nursing goals can provide you with the motivation to keep going. Over time, you might also want to consider how far you’ve come and what goals you’ve already reached compared to when you were a new nurse. This can help you see how successful you’ve been, which can further encourage you to keep working toward other goals. For example, gaining experience as a nurse can help you work toward a goal of going back to school to earn a higher degree. This can lead to more career options in the healthcare field.

If you’ve been thinking about advancing your nursing career, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can help you achieve this goal. Keep in mind that you can use the same calming tactics to stay focused and less stressed when you’re in school, working on assignments, studying, and taking tests. Please contact Geneva College to learn more about our RN to BSN degree program, which prepares you for an even more fulfilling nursing career helping others.

Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.

Apr 12, 2022

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