The Coach Space
As a nursing student, you’re well aware that navigating the demanding journey of nursing school is no small feat. It requires passion and dedication to finish your studies and become a registered nurse. A study shows that as many as 25% of students drop out of nursing degree programs. The remaining ones battle burnout and depression, trying their hardest to maintain their well-being.
Don’t forget that self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Never put your wellness on the back burner. Here’s how busy students can take care of their mental and physical health successfully while thriving in their academic journey:
Choose flexible degree options
The best way to protect your mental/physical well-being is to choose a flexible, accessible, and easy-to-finish nursing degree program. Determine how many hours a day you can dedicate to your studies and then find a nursing program that provides this level of flexibility. If you have a job, then consider pursuing an online degree to finish your studies conveniently and cost-effectively.
An accelerated BSN is the best degree option for nursing students with busy schedules.
If you wish to transition to nursing from a non-nursing field, then pursue an accelerated BSN online degree to graduate in just 18 months. An ABSN program will fast-track this transition and teach you all the necessary nursing skills and clinical knowledge required from a nurse.
Get ample rest
Their busy schedules can keep nursing students up late at night, interfering with their healthy sleep patterns. For instance, a study shows that nursing students are more vulnerable to sleep disorders than university students; 30% of them suffer from harmful sleep habits.
Getting enough sleep is necessary for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. You need to create a consistent bedtime routine and wake up early in the morning after resting for 7 to 8 hours. Avoid sleep deprivation, and don’t rely on caffeine to stay alert while studying. Sacrificing sleep for a study session will just harm your productivity in the long run.
Join a study group
Find mentors among your seniors and even your peers to progress academically. You’ll notice that the most effective way of staying motivated is to connect with other nursing students. So, socialise with your classmates and join a study group to help each other out. When like-minded people with shared goals combine their efforts, they remain resilient in the face of difficult obstacles.
So, joining a study group will make nursing school appear less challenging. There’s no progress for a nursing student in isolation; you can only succeed by collaborating with your peers.
Take frequent study breaks
One of the most important parts of your self-care routine involves taking frequent study breaks. Even nurses need frequent 15-minute breaks during a single shift to collect themselves and prevent burnout.
Not taking enough breaks will lead to burnout, a condition lethal to your academic progress. So, find yourself a non-nursing hobby, a pastime to cheer yourself up. Set aside at least an hour every day for leisure activities.
Make non-nursing friends
Just like you should connect with your fellow students, it’s equally important to make friends with people outside of the nursing program. They can help you spend some time away from your studies and talk about things other than your academics.
Enjoy every opportunity you get to discuss issues that don’t revolve around your coursework. Make friends in professions other than nursing, mainly among your neighbours. Your mental health requires you to socialise with friends from all walks of life.
Eat nutritious foods
“You are what you eat” – as future healthcare professionals, nursing students understand the profound impact of nutrition on overall wellness. A balanced diet rich in whole foods provides the foundation for academic success, while some natural supplements and shakes can offer additional support during demanding study periods as well as elevate your mental wellness in general.
Focus on nutrient-dense foods like lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. For additional support, consider consulting your healthcare provider about supplements known to support mental wellness, such as B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Stay alert to signs that your nutritional needs aren’t being met, including persistent fatigue, irregular sleep, dizziness, irritability, or difficulty concentrating.
Remember that while supplements can complement a healthy diet, they shouldn’t replace whole foods and should only be taken under professional guidance.
Exercise more often
Exercise a little (at least 30 minutes daily) to stay physically fit and mentally healthy; exercising releases feel-good hormones that boost your sense of self-worth and confidence. However, we are not talking about “exercise” exercise; you don’t need to do push-ups or deadlifting to become fit and healthy. Just don’t adopt a sedentary lifestyle where you get glued to a chair most of the day.
As a nursing student who wishes to improve society’s well-being, you have to keep yourself moving. Take a walk to the park, hang out with friends for a midnight stroll, and memorise your lessons while pacing in the hallway.
Talk to mental health experts
Many nursing students struggle to maintain an active social lifestyle while juggling their studies at the same time. When the delicate work-life balance gets disturbed, it has severe consequences for your mental health. Studies even show that over 38% of nursing students are battling depression.
So, if your mental health concerns seem unmanageable, don’t waste a moment and talk to a mental health expert. Bear in mind that you’re not alone on this journey; capable counsellors and therapists are readily available to help you out.
Decompress before sleeping
Don’t go to bed without decompressing and clearing all sorts of study-related worries from your head. That’s how you can sleep soundly and wake up refreshed the next morning. Take 10 minutes to unwind and chill before turning in for the day.
You can sip some healthy beverages before going to sleep, read an interesting non-nursing book, listen to music, or write in your journal.
Conclusion
If you’re adamant about pursuing a career in nursing, then prepare yourself for a life of complex studies, clinical rotations, and the responsibility of patient care. However, this blog discusses some essential tips to help you prioritise your mental and physical well-being. Sleep on time, eat nutritious meals, get a new hobby, connect with your peers, and – most importantly – choose an online, flexible degree program.
That’s how you can keep calm and pursue your nursing studies with confidence.
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