When a medical crisis strikes, nurses are on the front lines to keep patients healthy and safe. An all-hands-on-deck situation like a pandemic or natural disaster means staff nurses may need support to handle the accompanying turmoil. In a crisis, the emotional well-being of nurses and nurse leaders is paramount to patient safety.
Maintaining this well-being can be difficult for nurses during crises, particularly for those in the early stages of their careers. A spring 2022 survey produced by the American Nurses Foundation noted that almost half of participating nurses younger than 35 had sought mental health support since the initial onset of COVID-19 in March 2020. The survey also reported that 30% of nurses older than 25 said they were suffering from burnout, as were 69% of nurses younger than 25.
While the pandemic may be cited as a key factor in driving these feelings, stress was a serious issue even earlier. A 2019 survey from the National Academy of Medicine estimated 35% to 54% of nurses and physicians suffered from burnout. Without support, nursing stress can potentially increase to critical levels during any kind of public health emergency.
This threat of critical stress during unusual times demonstrates why effective nurse leaders are so important. Nurse leaders in executive positions guide staff nurses and other staff members to work through public health emergencies in a way that can mitigate stress.