Submitted by: Karuna Maria George | May 12th, 2022
Importance of work-life balance for Nurses
Nurses work and life are two separate worlds. In one world, they’re caregivers who often put the needs of patients before their own. In the other, they play multiple roles in the family and also striving fulfilment in their personal lives. When these two worlds collide when they are unable to balance between the exhausting demand at work and their family and personal needs, it can lead to excessive physical and mental burnout.
As we look at the importance of balancing work and life, the main decision every nurse needs to willingly and consciously make is prioritising the moment.
Every nurse has a certain amount of demand to be met at her hospital or home, Because the 12-hr shift in a hospital makes it similar to her second home where she is a caregiver to the patient, simultaneously she is a caregiver and a responsible person at home too managing multiple duties that can’t be compromised by others. The various areas every nurse needs to consider are,
• family
• friends
• Finances
• Health
• Personal growth
• Physical health
• Mental health
After you outline your priorities it’s also necessary to time manage all of these. Sometimes duty demands overtime so its okay to consider it if it isn’t neglecting your responsibilities at home and sometimes vice versa.
Knowing and understanding your strengths, proper planning of your shifts and home duties help you carry out your duties at home and hospital responsibly that can contribute in balancing your personal and professional life rather than getting yourself drained and exhausted.
Last but not the least every nurse is a human and a person in herself hence needs to have a certain amount of self-time, self-love and self-care that indirectly and directly compliments in your work and home duties. Concluding that a balance of work and life is essential to have a mentally, emotionally and physically healthy life and healthy you.
Karuna Maria George
Mental health nurse and proud Sethu parent