What is Wellness and How does it Affect Nurses?

Wellness is an active, ongoing process which involves becoming aware of and taking steps towa

rd a healthier, happier, more successful life. The goal is to empower students to strive for balance and wellness. The healthcare industry is also challenged with high numbers of providers who experience burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation. To improve clinician health and well-being, organizations must address system failures and provide healthcare workers with evidence-based interventions to foster emotional regulation and stress reduction (Ohio State University, 2021).

Some universities have an amazing plan to help future nurses develop coping skills prior to entering the workforce. The plan includes:

1. Preventative cognitive-behavioral/coping techniques to enhance resiliency and mental well-being.

2. Tailored methods to reach those impacted by stress, anxiety and/or depression who need to quickly put cognitive-behavioral and resiliency skills into practice

3. Development of protective factors that improve overall health and well-being

4. Enhanced self-esteem; reduced stress; improved mental resiliency

5. Improved healthy lifestyle behaviors

6. Enhanced emotional regulation.

What about the frontline bedside workforce? What do we need to do to improve wellness of our staff and hopefully improve retention?

Please leave me your comments of ways to improve the wellness of our staff and improve retention.