Stress Management for Nursing Students for
Master of Science
Healthcare Management
Problem Statement and Thesis
In a profession where burnout rages against them, nurses have not had the early training in their programs to teach them proper stress management techniques. With programs all over the country teaching young minds the way of medicine, the instruction lacks key teachings on how to manage the inevitable stress of the profession. Research has concluded that stress is one of the main causes of burnout, but it can be reduced with simple techniques of breathing or physical exercise (de Vibe, et, al. 2013). If students are taught how to manage their feelings in times of exhaustion and doubt as early as their programs, they will be better equipped to handle the growing stress when working full time as a certified nurse. Establishment of stress management habits for students enrolled in nursing programs will provide a healthy foundation to handle the difficulties of their future employment causing burnout and turnover.
Scope of the Project
This project will include research into several different stress management techniques including breathing exercises, walking, or any physical activity to clear the mind while at work. Additional research about early practice into stress management for students at college and in nursing programs will further the evidence for why these practices are necessary to start before becoming a licensed nurse. Causing and implications of burnout will be examined to note their devastating effects on the nursing world but how they can be prevented. With many literature reviews already available, information about nurses struggles and areas of stress can be identified to better utilize the stress management techniques best designed to help.
Possible Solution
The solution to the problem of growing burnout and high levels of stress in the nursing field is to teach stress reducing skills at an earlier age. During the nursing program time, students should be learning how to manage their stress levels with healthy, proven techniques before they are put into the work force. To improve the mental, emotional, and physical health of our nurses around the country, educating early is a great way to stop the growing crisis of burnout. With research proven to reduce the stress of the medical workplace, nursing programs can easily adapt these techniques into their teachings during application times and during rotations. These practices will help the rising generation of nurses and then be uses by seasoned nurses learning from their peers. If we do not help our nurses to handle the rigor and pressure of their jobs, we will continue to have growing numbers of burnout leading to higher turnover across the country.
Reference:
Alborzkouh, P, M Nabati, Y Zainali, and F Abed. “A Review of the Effectiveness of Stress Management Skills Training on Academic Vitality and Psychological Well-Being of College Students.” Journal of medicine and life. 8, no. Spec Iss 4 (2015): 39–44.
Alzayyat, A, and E Al-Gamal. “A Review of the Literature Regarding Stress Among Nursing Students During Their Clinical Education.” International nursing review. 61, no. 3 (2014): 406–415.
de Vibe, Michael, Ida Solhaug, ReidarTyssen, OddgeirFriborg, Jan H Rosenvinge, Tore Sørlie, and ArildBjørndal. “Mindfulness Training for Stress Management: aRandomised Controlled Study of Medical and Psychology Students.” BMC medical education. 13, no. 1 (2013).
Magtibay, Donna L., Sherry S. Chesak, Kevin Coughlin, and Amit Sood. “Decreasing stress and burnout in nurses: efficacy of blended learning with stress management and resilience training program.” JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration 47, no. 7/8 (2017): 391-395.
Vahey, D., Aiken, L., Sloane, D., Clarke, S., & Vargas, D. (n.d.). Nurse burnout and patient satisfaction. Medical Care, 42(2 Suppl), II57-II66.