Working as a travel nurse is certainly a stressful job. If you haven’t already, odds are you will deal with stress in the work environment. Stress can cause significant health consequences so it’s important you find ways to deal with a stressful work environment as a travel nurse. Here is our list of 10 ways to deal with a stressful work environment as a travel nurse.
10 Ways To Deal With A Stressful Work Environment As A Travel Nurse
- Start Your Day Off Right. If you start your day off right you may find stress of the workplace rolling off your back. Start with getting sleep, having a nutritious meal, a positive attitude, and giving yourself time to get to work.
- Get Enough Sleep. This goes hand and hand with starting your day off right. No matter your schedule, getting enough sleep will help you deal with stress.
- Open Communication. When you can share your emotions at work and vis versa, stress levels can decrease. Open communication can be between you and another nurse or with you and your patients. Regardless of who you’re having a conversation with, open communication leads to fewer misunderstandings and less stress.
- Eat Healthy & Exercise. Eating healthy foods and finding time to exercise will help you be better prepared when dealing with a stressful work environment as a travel nurse. If you need help eating healthy, check out our list of 10 healthy meal planning tips for travel nurses. Your exercise doesn’t have to be anything extreme. Even just a quick walk around the complex will give you time to relax.
- Take A Deep Breath. Clearing your head by taking a deep breath can help you deal with stress. After dealing with a stressful situation or if you feel yourself getting stressed, find a quiet place and take a deep breath.
- Remember It’s Not Personal. As a travel nurse, you aren’t the only ones dealing with stress at the work place. Patients and their families are also stressed. When faced with a tense patient or family situation, stay calm and try to keep your body language relaxed. If needed, seek advice of the charge nurse when dealing with a stressful environment.
- Find A Mentor. Having a mentor, someone you can go to, is always a good thing to have. A mentor can offer advice and even just be someone to talk to when you need to vent. Mentors can ease stress and teach you ways to deal with a stressful work environment as a travel nurse.
- Take Time To Relax. It is critical that you disconnect from time to time. Take a mini vacation during your assignment. Find time to get away. This will allow you to “recharge” your battery and come back stress free.
- Track Your Stressors. Sometimes if you know what triggers your stress, you can stop it before it gets bigger. Record your thoughts, feelings, and information about your environment. When you feel stress levels rising, go for a walk. Talk to your mentor. Take a deep breath. Whatever works for you at the time, do it when you sense yourself getting stressed.
- Take Time Off Between Assignments. If you find yourself working multiple assignments in consecutive weeks, perhaps it’s time to take time off. It doesn’t have to be a month-long getaway. Even just a nice week where you can unplug and explore will allow you feeling refreshed.
Hopefully after reading this article you have found ways to deal with a stressful work environment as a travel nurse. Read these 10 ways to deal with a stressful work environment as a travel nurse. Find out what works for you and stick with it.
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