Dr. Spencer, what is the purpose of the Mental Health First Aid courses for UC nursing students?
We need to change the conversation and culture around mental health. There should be no more excuses for saying “I need to take a break.” It’s a different change for healthcare staff, because we still feel like we have to be that rock for people. When you find yourself in the position of wanting to provide the best care possible, but are unable to do so, whether because you don’t have the right personal protective equipment or because you feel
exhausted, that’s where moral distress comes in. We know what we should do, but we can’t do it. This moral distress is one thing that causes people to abandon nursing. We try to catch this as early as possible so that graduate students who have these tools in their toolbox are able to recognize problems in themselves and others and seek out resources to help them solve them.
Many hospitals offer transition-to-practice programs for new graduates to help students when it comes to things like seeing their first death or having their first encounter with difficult and complex patients. These transition-to-practice programs teach them how to handle these situations so that new graduate nurses feel supported and confident, which helps them stay in the nursing profession and prevent burnout.
How can students recognize when they or their colleagues need help?
We teach students to recognize when something is wrong. Maybe they don’t feel the same connection they usually have with their patients, that they aren’t there 100%. In a clinical environment that can take emotional toll, you need to listen to the inner voice that says “this is different.” You need to be careful about disconnection. That’s when you have to step back and think, “This is not right for me, and this is not right for my patient.” » It’s about being able to know when you’re feeling burned out, being able to recognize those burnout behaviors and being able to stop and breathe, take a break and refill your tank so that I can come back to nursing and stay in nursing.
For your colleagues, it’s the ability to say, “Hey, I see some of these things.” I worry about you. How can we connect you to the resources you need? » So instead of saying, “What’s wrong with you?” Say, “Hey, I noticed these things. Let’s talk about it and see if you can figure out what you need to get back into the zone where you’re healthy.
We just need to talk about it. We should not be ashamed of this or apologize for it. There is more than we know. We need to start talking about how difficult this situation is. This doesn’t mean you’re weak or won’t be a good nurse. You just need support around you to talk about it. If we can do that, boy, we can keep a lot of people in nursing.
What steps can they take to take care of themselves?
Take some time, take a walk, have support around you and be able to feel good about saying “I’m not okay” in a safe environment. Maybe it’s your unit leader or a good friend. You want to have someone to say, “I don’t feel well. “I think it’s a really important step.
Students also need to reflect on themselves. It should be part of your daily routine. Ask yourself what went right during this change? What didn’t go so well about this change? What could I have done better? What was out of my control that I really couldn’t do anything about? I think that’s the first step in all of this; be introspective all the time, every day, in every way possible to be the best practitioner you can be.
Also determine your strengths and weaknesses. Nursing is a great profession, but the chaos of urgent care may not be for you. You can work as a nurse researcher, instructor, work with children, seniors, veterans, and in several other fields. Learn where you will perform best and love what you do.
What advice do you give to students about finding a job in nursing?
My advice is to find an organization that you think is best to support you during the first two years of your career.
You want a culture where someone has your back when the day hasn’t been great. If you have made a mistake or mistake, it is knowing that the organization will have your back. Look for an organization that values nurses through nurse-led committees and also creates a culture where nurses are valued for their expertise and insight.
I think nurses also need to have a say in policy and leadership, especially when it comes to staffing ratios. Additionally, it is very important to have a voice in legislation regarding things like this. Because we have a voice. We are the largest healthcare provider. We must use this voice.
About our expert
Tammy Spencer, DNP, RN, CNE, ACNS-BC, CCNS
Dr. Spencer serves as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Program and Senior Honors Faculty Advisor for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Colorado College of Nursing.
Dr. Spencer has been a faculty member since completing her master’s degree at the University of Colorado College of Nursing in 1989. She is a seasoned instructor who focuses on adult medical-surgical nursing, with an emphasis particularly on concepts related to the care of people in critical illness. sick adult patient.
She serves as the lead faculty advisor for the baccalaureate nursing program and currently serves as the faculty liaison for the University of Colorado Student Nursing Association. She also serves on the University of Colorado Alumni Council and serves as a nurse in the university hospital’s post-anesthesia care unit.
