Mental Health Nursing is a stressful work environment. Especially in a state-funded mental hospital with a wide variety of clients. From the genuinely sick mentally ill clients to the court-ordered clients who are there for a mental evaluation to stand trial in a court case. Walking is a good stress relief.
As I walk into the unit to start my shift, I sit my bag down, and the buzzer goes off. There is a Code M upstairs – meaning someone needs emergency medical attention. The licensed staff runs to Code M.
Assist the client in need and return to the unit. The routine shift work begins when another Code buzzer alarms over the intercom, and all available staff run to a Code D meaning
a disturbed client is acting out, or there is a fight among the clients.
As you are en route to one of these events, you never know what you will open the doors and walk into. Your defense is up, and you must be ready to act with whatever you see happening. It can be a very nervous situation, especially if you already know someone on that floor with a history of violence.
Once these situations are under control you still have to return to your assigned working unit to take care of the clients on that floor.
The unit can be completely quiet – with no turmoil brewing. When someone gets upset over the color of their pills at medication pass or decides today, they do not want to share the TV with another client. It all happens very quickly.
Mental health nurses have a lot of stress in a state-funded hospital and work in a high-risk high-hazard environment. They have to have something to break the stress once they clock out and head home. Walking has been that relief for me.
I personally do not even turn the radio on the way home. I have talked to and listened to people for 13 hours and want to hear the quiet. I have a 40 min drive home, giving me time to unwind and be ready to put my mom/family hat on at home.
I walk for my health, but I also have time to walk and think. I do not have to process anything, just walk and listen to the birds. I have a walking partner, Max, a 95lb black lab. He is happy being with me and will walk as far as I want.
Walking gives you time to think, as well as time to get away from the stresses. Getting out of the stressful environment, breathing the air, and feeling your body move is natural stress relief.
How do YOU relieve stress?
The stresses and strains of working in the mental health nursing industry can take their toll on even the strongest personality. From persistent patients to strict regulations, nurses constantly face big and small challenges, physical and emotional. At some point, it is more than likely that the pressures of your job will get to you, How do you typically manage work-related stress? and you will wonder, “Is it worth it?” Or is it Burnout, also known as compassion fatigue,
What do you do to relieve stress from your job?
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