By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
“How do we make it okay for nurses to not be okay?” This poignant question appeared in the Q+A during a webinar that I did last week in partnership with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses on the topic of resilience. The chat was lively with a discussion about how some of their colleagues (and some managers) are struggling with mental health issues during a pandemic that has moved from a sprint to a marathon. Gone are the free dinners, the 7 PM pot banging, the fire truck salutes, and the ads thanking nurses. Yet, for many critical care nurses, little has changed as they remain at the frontlines of COVID care. They still have great concern about their personal safety and that of their families. Those once in hot spots fear that a fall resurgence of the virus could again put them in a war zone situation.
Nurses struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression. Lost hope is an ongoing challenge. Nurses cry silently alone in the breakroom. Some have lost relatives that they have not been able to grieve fully. Social distancing has made the support nurses give to one another more challenging. One creative leader gives out virtual hug stickers. In California, the fires have added stress to what is already a stressful situation. Some feel they are no longer good nurses because all the little things they used to do for patients and families don’t happen when patients are isolated, and families can’t visit. The September cover story of Chicago magazine, What COVID Nurses Know, is a collection of nursing pictures and observations that serve as a powerful reminder of how hard it has been caring for patients during COVID-19.
“You have your skills, but these patients are so different that it felt like being a new nurse all over again.”
“I have always walked into a situation where I make people better, and they go home. That’s not what we walk into anymore.”
“Sometimes, I don’t recognize my own coworkers when they have all their gear on. All you see is eyes through the plastic.
“At the end of the shift, when you are able to finally take off your mask, that first breath of fresh air outside was the best thing ever. Sometimes I would just sit in my car and take, like a big sigh of relief that it’s over.”
“Imagine being six weeks in the same room by yourself with no contact from anybody except the TV. They get depressed. And it’s sad for us.”
“We are caregivers, but there was very little care reserved for us.”
“I don’t think we’ve ever had morale so low.”
“We have had ten nurses leave. And I personally believe that when COVID is over, there’s going to be more people that leave not just our hospital, but nursing in general.”
Health systems have tried to respond by offering employee assistance or counseling services. One manager noted that she offers staff these services, but few have utilized them. Critical care nurses think they should be mentally tough after all their work demands it. Some nurses believe they will be viewed as weak if they ask for help. Somehow, resiliency messaging has gone awry. The underlying implication is that if you are not coping well – it is your fault, or you haven’t developed adequate coping skills.
As the National Academy of Medicine noted in their 2019 report on Clinician Burnout, there are no easy answers in how to destigmatize seeking mental health services. Collectively we need to send a strong message that when you are not okay, it is okay to seek help—staying tough works until it doesn’t. The fallout of untreated stress, anxiety, and depression in the nursing workforce, especially critical care nurses, should be viewed as a potential health emergency.
Reference
Kuzma, C. & Parker J. (Photographer and Critical Care Nurse). What COVID nurses know. Chicago Magazine September 2020.
Don’t let nurse leaders in your organization go without development in 2020. A Coaching Staff to Promote Resilience program is available, or schedule your customized Nuts and Bolts of Nursing Leadership Virtual Workshop taught by experts for either new or experienced leaders. Nuts and Bolts Flyer
Read Rose Sherman’s book available now – The Nurse Leader Coach: Become the Boss No One Wants to Leave
© emergingrnleader.com 2020
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