Stress Reduction for Nurses

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reported that more than 138,000 nurses have left the workforce since 2022, citing stress, burnout, and retirement as key reasons. Although a subsequent 2024 study indicated that emotional exhaustion and workloads have levelled out since 2022, high levels of stress and burnout continue to impact the industry.

Several factors contribute to high stress in the nursing field, including high accountability for patients’ health, emotionally taxing work, demanding schedules, and administrative pressures. Nurses are often a patient’s lifeline, delivering the critical care necessary for health and healing. This level of care can be demanding and emotionally draining, especially for pediatric nurses. As children, young patients often struggle to communicate their symptoms, fears, or needs clearly, making assessment more challenging. Furthermore, a pediatric nurse’s care extends to the family, who often have high expectations for reassurance and communication.

A nurse’s work also involves a high level of critical thinking, which can be draining after long shifts. Stress as a nurse can also stem from performance pressure outside of care. This includes administrative and paperwork pressures, such as extensive documentation, regulatory requirements, and electronic health record management.

Stress-related symptoms can present both physically and emotionally, both on and off the job. Naturally, these signs can vary from person to person, but the following indicators can signal a need for stress management:

When the performance pressures outweigh the intrinsic rewards associated with pediatric nursing, it’s time to act. Fortunately, considerable attention has been given to stress management in nursing, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. In this section, we’ll outline five stress management techniques, followed by information about nursing interventions for stress reduction.

Although it can be difficult to find moments of peace during busy days, practicing small “micro-moments” to center oneself can help relieve stress and tension throughout the day. Some examples include stepping outside for a few minutes or finding a spot to practice a quick grounding yoga pose, such as the tree pose.

Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that helps relieve stress by helping relax the body for a quick reset. PMR targets one muscle group at a time, working to ease tension through a focused contraction-and-release method.

Begin by selecting a specific area or muscle group, such as the jaw or shoulders. Tense the muscles gently for 5-7 seconds, then let the tension relax, followed by a deep cleansing breath.
If time allows, move on to another muscle group.

SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. As a communication tool, SBAR can reduce stress by adding structure to moments that often feel chaotic. It’s a clear, concise way to communicate during a distressing or chaotic health or medical situation by focusing on the facts and solutions. This type of structured communication reduces uncertainty by giving nurses a predictable framework, which also helps lower emotional and cognitive stress.

Regular, structured interventions can also help with stress management in nursing. These efforts take various forms, yet all aim for the same outcomes: reducing stress, strengthening communication, and promoting long-term resilience in nurses.

These programs offer a safe space for nurses to share experiences and express emotions. By sharing with peers, participants benefit from feedback and encouragement from colleagues who understand the job’s challenges. Peer support programs can include mentorship, buddy systems, or informal check-ins. Regular peer support also helps reduce feelings of isolation and promotes early recognition of stress or burnout.

Taking time to debrief after high-stress days, critical incidents, or emotionally intense shifts helps nurses process their experiences in a structured environment. Typically facilitated by trained staff or team leaders, debriefing offers nurses the opportunity to discuss what happened, what went well, and what could be improved. These sessions also provide a healthy outlet for emotional release and help prevent the buildup of compassion fatigue.

Resilience training teaches practical skills like adapting to challenging situations and maintaining emotional balance. These programs can include mindfulness techniques, cognitive reframing, emotional regulation strategies, and communication skills. Resilience training supports stress reduction for nurses by equipping them to manage challenges. Other benefits? Improved confidence, decision-making, and overall well-being.

The emotional stress of working with vulnerable young patients can be overwhelming. Therefore, making self-care a priority and employing these stress management techniques for nurses can help support positive mental health and well-being. However, nurses also need their management’s support to ensure a supportive, positive work environment.

Shift scheduling definitely affects stress for nurses, since patients’ needs don’t follow a set schedule. Therefore, it’s up to management to develop scheduling strategies to combat overworking or understaffing. Communication is critical for healthy workload management, and nurses should be encouraged to advocate for themselves just as they advocate for patients.

The purpose of safe staffing ratios is to ensure nurses have a manageable number of patients, thereby reducing workload and elevating the quality of care. Appropriate staffing levels help nurses perform their duties without rushing, decreasing the risk of errors and emotional exhaustion. Safe staffing supports stress reduction for nurses by promoting their well-being through more sustainable work environments.

Providing access to mental health resources and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) makes nurses feel supported. Services may include counseling, crisis intervention, stress-management coaching, and referrals to specialized care. When leadership promotes these programs, nurses feel recognized and valued, and are more comfortable seeking help.