Each and every day, nurses are on the front line of our complex healthcare system, advocating for the needs of their patients and ensuring they have access to the safe, effective and high-quality care they deserve. They stand by their patients’ sides in moments of triumph and tragedy alike. This profession requires courage and commitment, and many nurses find that the work that they do each day can take an emotional and physical toll.
It’s become clear that there is a connection between nursing and mental health concerns, requiring healthcare administrators and nurse leaders to advocate for improved mental health support for nurses. Understanding the impact that this profession can have on your mental health — and being aware of the resources available — can help you navigate the complexities of a career in nursing.
The Resource Gap: Lack of Mental Health Support
It’s become clear that nurses require more mental health support in order to effectively navigate their responsibilities each day and balance their personal lives along with their professional obligations. Despite awareness among healthcare leaders of the need for better mental health support for nurses, though, there is still a lack of resources available.
The Disparity
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most people believe that the burnout crisis in the healthcare industry (and specifically in the nursing profession) began as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, burnout was a significant issue well before the onset of the pandemic, and still, not enough resources are devoted to mental health support for nurses.
The Impact of Resource Scarcity
Lack of funding and limited resources are leaving nurses vulnerable to burnout, which can have disastrous consequences. Nurses who are feeling burnt out, overwhelmed or excessively stressed may not be able to perform their jobs as well, which can compromise patient safety. In addition, nurses dealing with ongoing burnout may choose to leave the profession sooner than expected, ultimately exacerbating the nursing shortage crisis.
Recognizing the Signs: Symptoms of Mental Health Struggles
Nurses are aware that caring for patients on a daily basis can be both emotionally and physically draining. However, it’s one thing to leave your shift feeling tired and worn out — and another to experience burnout. Remaining aware of the symptoms of mental health struggles, nurses can identify when they need to rest and when they need further support.
Physical Symptoms
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), nurse burnout is a job-related condition that can have a serious impact on the health and well-being of nurses as well as the safety of the patients for whom they are caring. Burnout presents itself in a variety of ways, including physical symptoms such as:
- Physical exhaustion
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Digestive distress
- Lingering headaches
Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms
Mental health conditions, including burnout, can also lead to emotional and cognitive issues. Nurses who are experiencing extreme burnout may find themselves distancing mentally from their job duties, which can increase the risk of clinical mistakes. Nurses might experience the symptoms of anxiety and depression, too, leaving them feeling exhausted, sad, nervous or unsure of what steps to take next.
Social Impacts of Mental Health Struggles
The social impacts of mental health struggles are often overlooked, particularly in the healthcare industry. While there have been recent efforts to advocate for improved support for nurses with mental health problems, the reality is that there is still a stigma associated with mental health concerns in healthcare. Nurses experiencing mental health struggles may feel apprehensive to share their feelings and experiences with others in fear of professional retribution.
Legislative Efforts: The Dr. Lorna Breen Act and Beyond
Striving to increase awareness and expand support for nurses with mental health problems, legislators have worked to implement laws that will provide funding and improve access to mental health resources in the healthcare field. In 2022, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act became the first law of its kind to guarantee funding for mental health resources for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Ongoing Legislative Advocacy
Even though this law was recently enacted, there is still a demand for continued legislative action. After all, healthcare workers will continue to require access to mental health resources as the healthcare industry changes and evolves. Local, state and national legislators must continue to work to support healthcare workers in order to improve patient safety and reduce the size and scope of the nursing shortage crisis.
The Dr. Lorna Breen Act
The Dr. Lorna Breen Act was bipartisan legislation enacted in order to provide additional support, funding and resources for healthcare workers experiencing mental health concerns. According to the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, the act has helped to:
- Develop industry-specific suicide prevention resources for healthcare workers.
- Provide training materials to leaders in the healthcare industry about the signs and symptoms of burnout as well as the impact that burnout can have on the healthcare system at large.
- Implement dozens of evidence-based initiatives at hospitals, healthcare facilities and health professions schools nationwide that offer guidance as to the best ways to improve mental health plans for healthcare workers (including nurses).
Workplace Policies for Mental Health
Although the Dr. Lorna Breen Act continues to provide funding and resources to improve mental health support for healthcare workers, it is important for employers to actively work to create workplace policies that promote mental health and well-being. According to the CDC, effective workplace policies that support mental health not only improve working conditions for healthcare workers but also protect the integrity of the overarching healthcare system.
Supportive Mental Health Policies
Some examples of supportive mental health workplace policies include:
- Allowing for paid time off and encouraging employees to take this time as needed.
- Establishing staff members who are responsible for improving and supporting employee well-being.
- Encouraging shared decision-making, allowing employees to feel as if they have a stake in the policies and procedures that shape their work environment.
Hindering Policies for Mental Health
Certain workplace policies can be detrimental to the mental health and well-being of employees. For instance, some healthcare employers make employees feel that they cannot take their earned time off unless it’s absolutely necessary. Policies like this force professionals to continue working no matter how burnt out they might be.
Mental Health Resources for Nurses
Aside from the resources that healthcare employers may provide, additional outside resources can deliver mental health support for nurses. Notable mental health resources for nurses include:
Professional Organizations
Some professional organizations for nurses create and distribute mental health resources that can provide them with the information and support they need. For example, the ANA offers the Nurse Well-Being: Building Peer and Leadership Support Program, featuring evidence-based tools that can help nurses recover from the workplace stress they experience each day.
Online and Digital Resources
Nurses can use available online and digital resources if they need help managing burnout or recovering from a traumatic experience on the job site. For instance, they may access remote therapy sessions through Cerebral, which is a fee-based therapy app.
Employer-Provided Support
Employers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to implement mental health initiatives and offer resources for their employees. Nurses may have access to employer-sponsored programs that can help support their mental health and well-being.
Mental Health Hotlines for Nurses
Mental health hotlines have been established for nurses and other healthcare professionals who may be experiencing a crisis. These hotlines can provide immediate support, particularly for those suffering from a severe mental health episode.
National Hotlines
The national mental health hotlines for nurses include:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline – This national hotline is available to anyone, but it’s important for nurses to be aware of the hotline if they are experiencing a mental health crisis and need emergency support.
- Mental Health Hotline – This national hotline is for anyone who needs mental health support or information about mental health resources. Nurses can call this hotline at 866-903-3787.
Specialized Hotlines
There are specialized hotlines, too, such as For the Frontlines; this text crisis hotline is available to nurses and other frontline workers who need immediate crisis counseling support. Nurses can text FRONTLINE to 741741 for support.
Learn About the Importance of Support for Nurses’ Mental Health at Nevada State University
In an effort to reduce the impact of the nursing shortage crisis and to prevent burnout in the nursing profession, healthcare leaders are advocating for better support for nurses with mental health problems. By raising awareness about the importance of mental health support within nursing education programs, nursing students can enter the profession with a better understanding of what they need to do to protect their own mental well-being, plus what resources are available if they need help.
At Nevada State University, we offer an RN to BSN online program that enables registered nurses to accelerate the pathway to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The curriculum not only helps nursing students become competent in the advanced clinical skills required to explore specialty areas in nursing, but it also emphasizes soft skill development — allowing nurses to become better critical and creative thinkers.
Request more information about our nursing degree programs today.