Nurses are one of the most integral parts of modern healthcare and play an essential role in providing the best possible care to patients. Events such as the recent pandemic have further confirmed this statement, as nurses keep the healthcare industry running even in trying times FAQs About An Online MSN in Nursing Education.
As a result, it’s not surprising that nursing is a prestigious career. Alongside having reputable jobs, nurses also enjoy high salaries and the emotional rewards of helping people due to their important position in healthcare.
However, the benefits of this prestigious career come at the cost of several issues. Several nurses are being overworked, while others face violence, and some suffer from illnesses.
To advance in their demanding careers, nurses must be aware of the issues waiting for them at the workplace. So, to help you with this purpose, here are four of the most evident issues nurses face today.
Long and demanding shifts
Illnesses don’t wait for breaks. As a result, nurses need to be available to care for their patients, often working 24/7 to improve patient outcomes. But more importantly, working hours are long and demanding in terms of work. It’s not uncommon to see nurses working more than 40 hours a week with several sleepless nights.
Typically, nurses need to physically assist patients, move heavy equipment, and walk for hours without rest in a chaotic work environment. In such a situation, nurses are quickly drained mentally and physically. Many end up with severe burnout, which puts their careers and patients at risk due to poor job performance.
However, gaining an advanced education in nursing can help equip you with the right skills and knowledge needed to take care of long and demanding shifts with ease. For this purpose, pursuing a master of science in nursing is the best decision you can make.
With higher education, you can even gain access to higher nursing positions with fewer working hours. However, there are always a few questions to consider before pursuing an education path.
So, take a look at FAQs About An Online MSN in Nursing Education to help yourself make the best decision.
Isolation
During long and demanding shifts, nurses can focus too much on their careers. This leads to a work-life imbalance and induces a feeling of isolation and loneliness amongst nurses.
After all, while caring for patients, nurses find little time to socialize. However, a feeling of isolation can be more dangerous to your career and health than you think.
Loneliness has been linked to depression, poor sleep quality, cognitive decline, and even poor immunity. These health conditions can wreak havoc on a nurse’s professional and personal life.
More importantly, isolated nurses are also more prone to making mistakes and risking patients’ lives.
One of the best solutions is to work in teams at the workplace. Teamwork not only helps to reduce the workload but also encourages communication and socialization even while working. But there are several ways to avoid isolation and continue to function healthily.
Joining nursing communities and engaging with your coworkers as much as you can also help to reduce loneliness. However, it’s equally important to maintain a work-life balance and socialize in your personal life as well by setting boundaries
Workplace hazards
While taking care of patients, nurses can expose themselves to several infectious diseases that can often prove fatal. For example, an equipment failure may cause a nurse to be exposed to a patient with a contagious disease.
However, even with the best safety equipment, there’s still a good chance of pathogens such as viruses making their way into nurses’ bodies. Not to mention, needlestick injuries are also a significant concern that can expose nurses to diseases. In the US alone, 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick injuries can occur annually.
Many of the medicines given to patients can cause harm to nurses. However, along with infectious diseases, nurses can also be exposed to radiation and hazardous chemicals. Moreover, lifting patients and setting up heavy equipment can become an ergonomic hazard throughout the day.
It’s not surprising how many nurses suffer musculoskeletal disorders, which makes it incredibly challenging to continue working. However, it is possible to avoid all these workplace hazards carefully and by maintaining your health.
Workplace violence
Infectious diseases and chemical hazards are not the only dangers today’s nurses face. While conflicts can often arise between patients and nurses, some patients or clients may resort to violence to settle the dispute.
However, even if there is no conflict, some patients can show aggression and violence due to being mentally disabled or frustrated from their medical conditions.
In such a situation, nurses can be under severe danger, often with several wounds or even a fatal condition. Moreover, some patients are also known to abuse nurses, which can affect their mental health verbally.
However, patients and clients are not the only ones showing violence towards nurses. Coworkers, senior nurses, and other healthcare professionals at the workplace can also verbally or physically abuse nurses.
For example, senior nurses are often harsh towards new nurses as they are inexperienced and are likely to make mistakes.
Conclusion
Nursing is a rewarding field. Demand, stability, and financial and emotional rewards are all offered to nurses.
However, before stepping into the healthcare industry as a nurse, you must consider the challenges you might face.
Without being aware of such issues, you will have difficulty pursuing your job. So, make sure to understand the problems mentioned above for a bright future in nursing.
