Nursing school can be challenging. It requires commitment to diligently study the material and attend every class, lab, and clinical. Being a nurse is similarly challenging, as you’ll be charged with safeguarding the health and safety of your patients. Because all this hard work can become stressful, self-care for nurses and nursing students is important.

In a nursing program like the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track at Concordia University Texas, self-care strategies are vital for success. Our faculty are experienced at fostering success through mental health and wellness strategies.

There are self-care practices for students that can promote wellness and prevent burnout. First, consider the importance of nurse burnout prevention and what burnout looks like. Next, incorporate self-care strategies for nurses and students, like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and leaning on loved ones for support.

Why Self-Care Is Crucial for Nurses and Nursing Students

Nursing is a rewarding profession in many ways, but it can also be stressful, which is why nurses and self-care go together. Self-care helps nurses:

• Improve their effectiveness in delivering exceptional patient care
• Manage stress more effectively
• Prevent compassion fatigue
• Support overall well-being

Similarly, self-care helps nursing students manage stress better, while also nurturing emotional resilience and navigating the demands of school successfully.

What Nurse Burnout Looks Like: How to Spot It Early

Self-care for nurses and students also helps reduce the risk of burnout. Burnout is more than just stress. It’s a prolonged condition in which the individual feels completely emotionally and physically drained. Nurses might feel emotionally detached, cynical, and struggle to get through the day.

It’s ideal to prevent nurse burnout by using self-care strategies, but if it develops, the sooner it’s spotted, the better. Signs include:

• Anxiety and depression
• Changes in appetite
• Decline in performance at work
• Persistent fatigue unrelieved by rest
• Sleep disturbances
• Withdrawal from social activities, friends, and family

In addition, nurses might experience physical symptoms beyond fatigue, such as headaches, gastrointestinal distress, and susceptibility to infections.

9 Self-Care Strategies for Nurses (and Students)

You can take charge of your wellness and effectiveness at school or work by following these self-care strategies for nurses and students:

1. Foster Peer Friendships

Common experiences are fuel for great friendships. When you’re going through something challenging, there’s high value in talking to people who share your experiences. Seek friendships with your peers, such as creating a study group or celebrating after an exam. This will not only boost your classroom success but also improve your mental health.

2. Get Quality Sleep

Quality sleep is crucial for physical health and emotional wellness. It also supports learning and memory retention, as well as concentration. Prevent fatigue by giving yourself the rest you need to function at your peak.

Create a consistent sleep schedule that allows for seven to eight hours per night. If you still feel consistently tired in the morning, consider increasing your sleep time.

Promote a healthy sleep schedule with these tips:

• Adhere to consistent bedtimes and wake times.
• Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and don’t drink alcohol in the evening.
• Maintain a cool, dark bedroom environment. Use blackout curtains.
• Minimize napping. Instead, extend your nighttime sleep if you feel fatigued during the day.
• Use a white noise machine.

3. Eat Healthy

You can also practice self-care in nursing school by nourishing your body properly. Healthy eating is one of the best ways to stay well and prevent disease, such as heart disease and diabetes.

During a nursing curriculum, it can be challenging to make time for cooking, so having healthy food that’s easy to access is key. Try meal prepping and stock up on healthy snacks, such as fruit, veggies, and nuts.

4. Take Study Breaks

Taking time for yourself during busy study days is one of the key self-care practices among nursing students. It can be challenging to take breaks when you are busy or overwhelmed, but the personal time will pay off. In order to keep up with your studies and succeed in your online courses, simulation and skills labs, and clinicals, you’ll need to set aside time for your wellness.

Each day, spend a little time relaxing and focusing on a hobby or interest other than nursing. This can include anything from cooking to painting to socializing with friends. If you have children, you could spend some time reading to them before bedtime.

Another point to remember is that you’ll need to prioritize the activities that are most valuable to you. You will have limited free time, so spend it wisely.

5. Talk with Friends and Family

During nursing school, an effective way to relieve stress is by talking with friends or family outside of school. Whether in person or over the phone, having someone to talk with who is looking in from the outside will help you maintain perspective. Something may seem like a huge deal to you, but discussing the challenge with a friend can help you realize that it’s a hurdle that can be overcome.

The other benefit of talking with a loved one is that they can help you connect with other parts of your life that are meaningful. A brief conversation can improve your mood, provide encouragement, and help you mentally reset.

6. Exercise Regularly

Exercise is a great habit for student and nurse burnout prevention. Not only does exercise improve your physical health, but it also improves mood and relieves stress. You will also be on your feet for long hours and active during clinicals and your future career, so exercise is essential.

Here are a few exercise tips:

• Consider waking up early to exercise first thing in the morning.
• Exercise with a friend for the added benefit of social interaction.
• Start by exercising a few times per week and adjust based on how much time you have.
• Try high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, which are short but impactful.

7. Talk with a Counselor

You are never alone at Concordia University Texas, and our instructors are here to support you. We want you to have the help you need, both academically and personally. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, you may benefit from talking with a professional counselor.

8. Go Outdoors

One of the simplest strategies for nursing student self-care is spending time outside.
During school, you spend your time studying, going to labs, and attending clinicals, all of which happen inside. It’s good to get outside for a walk, a bike ride, or a study session on the patio.

9. Decompress at the End of the Day

At the end of a long day of studying, it’s helpful to find a way to relax and unwind for 10 minutes. If you enjoy reading, keep a book under your pillow and take a few minutes to read before you close out the day. If music relaxes you, spend a few minutes listening to music before bed. Meditation, deep breathing, and laughter therapy are other ways to decompress.

Get Started on Your Nursing Journey

At Concordia University Texas, our faculty are committed to supporting you as you take on the challenge of nursing school. You’ll benefit from a hybrid format and the opportunity to graduate in as few as 16 months upon completion of the prerequisites. Plus, we offer three start dates and two ABSN locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, Texas.

Contact an admissions counselor today and take the first steps toward becoming a nurse.