We urgently need more people to take care of us, but we also need these professionals to learn to take care of themselves so that they do not fall into the trap of burnout syndrome. Healthcare workers, in particular, are more vulnerable to work-related stress, so they cannot afford to neglect their mental health.
In fact, attention to emotional well-being begins from the moment you open the first book, especially if you decide to take one of the accelerated online BSN programs. This educational model offers new students the opportunity to advance their careers or enter the nursing field more quickly and flexibly, but it also poses some psychological challenges that you will have to learn to deal with and that, in the long run, will help you to better develop your profession.
The demand for more nurses
The demand for nurses is increasing rapidly due to several factors, as demonstrated by the following statistics:
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, with around 195,400 openings for nurses projected each year over this decade.
- The aging baby boomer population is a significant driver of this increased demand. In 2029, the last of the baby boomer generation will reach retirement age, resulting in a 73% increase in Americans aged 65 and older, from 41 million in 2011 to 71 million in 2019. As the population ages, the need for healthcare services, including nursing care, rises.
- Approximately one million registered nurses are currently over 50 years old, meaning one-third of the nursing workforce could retire within the next 10-15 years. This impending retirement wave will further exacerbate the nursing shortage.
- Nursing school enrollment has declined, with only 63,504 applicants in 2018 compared to 130,932 in 2002, contributing to the shortage of nurses entering the workforce
- The American Nurses Association estimates that more than 275,000 additional nurses will be needed from 2020 to 2030 to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services.
The growing aging population, retirement of experienced nurses, and declining nursing school enrollment are key factors driving the escalating need for nurses in the United States. Addressing this shortage is crucial to ensure adequate healthcare delivery in the coming years.
Balancing mental health care and online nursing education
For many professionals looking to advance their careers without pausing their lives, accelerated online BSN programs are an ideal solution. These programs condense the traditional nursing curriculum into a shorter timeframe, allowing students to graduate and enter the workforce sooner. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who are looking to make a career change or advance their current career but have limited time to commit to full-time studies.
By offering flexible schedules, online coursework and intensive hands-on training, accelerated nursing programs cater to the needs of working professionals. As a result, more individuals are able to pursue their passion for nursing without having to put their careers on hold. This shift in education is not only changing the rules of the game but also opening up new opportunities for those looking to enter the nursing profession.
However, the flexibility of studying from home and choosing one’s own schedule contrasts with the need for rigorous self-discipline and effective time management. Students must balance dedication to their studies with taking care of their mental well-being by adopting strategies that allow them to protect their emotional balance and maintain a high level of performance.
In the nursing environment, stress not only comes from academic activities, but also from clinical practices. Different studies carried out throughout the world, from China to Spain, have agreed that nursing students face a moderate level of stress and anxiety during their studies, so it is important to ensure that accelerated online BSN programs do not add more pressure.
5 strategies to protect your mental health while you study
Throughout your career you can put into practice different strategies to take care of your emotional balance and maintain good performance. However, research developed at the University of Castilla-La-Mancha revealed that the most effective coping strategies used by nursing students to deal with stress are:
1. Problem resolution
It consists of identifying what worries you, such as a lack of knowledge and skills, fear of making mistakes or lack of time. The next step is to think about possible solutions and choose the most useful ones so that you can apply the necessary changes in your behavior. This pragmatic approach not only leads to better results as it eliminates problems at the root, but it will also help you gain greater control over your learning, so you will feel more qualified and confident to face the challenges of the career.
2. Seeking social and emotional support
A profession that is characterized by providing support also needs it. It is essential that you can talk about what you feel with your fellow students. You will be surprised to find that you have the same concerns and difficulties. You can also actively seek support from peers and tutors. In addition, many programs offer specific resources for emotional support, recognizing the importance of mental health in academic and career success.
3. Cognitive restructuring
Preparing for a career is not easy, much less if you decide to accelerate your study time. It is normal for thoughts to arise like “I won’t finish in time” or “I won’t be able to do it.” In these cases, cognitive restructuring will become your best ally. This psychological technique consists of identifying stressful thoughts and questioning their validity. You may find that anxiety is talking. Therefore, rephrase that “I won’t finish on time” with “If I organize myself better, I will be able to finish.” This way you can change the negative perspective on the situation and reduce the stress it generates.
4. Create routines and prioritize
Having a study schedule will save you a lot of stress. When you structure your day and are clear about your responsibilities, you won’t have to continually make decisions, which will take the stress out of your day-to-day life so you can focus on what really matters. Plan how many hours you need to dedicate to classes, your homework and studying. And don’t forget to prioritize tasks. Be aware that you may not always achieve everything, so focus on your academic priorities, without neglecting your emotional well-being.
5. Relax and disconnect
You need to study, but you also need to disconnect. Free time is essential to recharge your batteries and return to books with new energy and a clear mind. Taking regular breaks or practicing exercises to relax the mind can catapult your academic performance and information retention. A study carried out at the University of Sydney, for example, found that short breaks improve attention, memory and problem-solving ability. Neuroscientists from the Karolinska Institutet also found that disconnecting with sessions of physical activity, such as a brisk walk, causes changes at the brain level that improve memory, mood and concentration.
Finally, it is important to remember that while an online program may seem lonely, in reality, it offers a virtual community rich in resources and support. Participation in online forums and virtual study groups can help alleviate feelings of isolation and promote the exchange of ideas and experiences among students. Social networking, video conferencing and instant messaging platforms can also play a key role in building that community, providing the social support needed to persevere and succeed at the most demanding times of the academic program.
References:
Ginns, P. et. Al. (2023) Rest breaks aid directed attention and learning. Educational and Developmental Psychologist; 40(2): 141-150.
Zheng, Y. et. Al. (2022) Prevalence of stress among nursing students: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore); 101(31): e29293.
Mazalová, L. et. Al. (2022) Nursing students’ perceived stress and clinical learning experience. Nurse Education in Practice; 64: 103457.
Heiland, E. G. et. Al. (2021) Frequent, Short Physical Activity Breaks Reduce Prefrontal Cortex Activation but Preserve Working Memory in Middle-Aged Adults: ABBaH Study. Front. Hum. Neurosci.; 15: 10.3389.
Onieva, M. D. et. Al. (2020) Anxiety, perceived stress and coping strategies in nursing students: a cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive study. BMC Medical Education; 20: 370.
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