The Best Mental Health Resources for Nurses
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the issue of nurse mental health to the forefront, as nurses dealt with an array of challenges when hospitals became overwhelmed with a spike in patient demand, the seriousness of those cases, and the risks to the nurses’ and their families’ health.
The AMN Healthcare 2023 Survey of Registered Nurses, highlighting the pandemic’s consequences, found 81 percent of nurses reported experiencing a lot or a great deal of stress in their jobs. Nurses reported feeling emotionally drained, burned out, and concerned that their jobs were negatively affecting their health.
Similarly, a 2023 survey by the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) and McKinsey & Company reported high levels of burnout and mental-health challenges among nurses.
As a leader in the healthcare staffing industry, AMN Healthcare recognized the need to provide additional support for its nurses and other clinicians and addressed it head on. In the ensuing years, the company has made a huge investment in resources for mental health.
“AMN cares about its nurses,” said Kelsey R., MSN, RN, CMSRN, a clinical manager on the crisis team at AMN Healthcare.
The importance of nurses’ mental health
Mental health issues refer to burnout, stress, anxiety and depression. Good mental health for nurses remains critical to quality patient care, turnover rates and the important functioning of healthcare systems.
“You cannot take care of people unless you are healthy, well, and 100 percent,” Kelsey said.
Yet, nurses tend to prioritize caring for others, putting themselves second, to their own detriment, reported Brittany R., MSN, FNP, clinical manager with AMN Healthcare, and a member of the crisis team.
If a nurse keeps pushing these negative feelings down rather than dealing with them, it will catch up to them, and can lead to serious consequences for the nurse and patients. Examples may include: medication and other errors; fractured relationships; anxiety; exhaustion; impatience; other behavioral health issues; and a lack of joy and fulfillment. Other symptoms may include irritability, calling off shifts, and disorganization, Kelsey added.
“If things become so big and so far gone, it becomes a catastrophic crisis,” she said.
Effective stress management and coping mechanisms for nurses
The good news is that mental health support for nurses is available, and there are several strategies that can help nurses deal with challenges and crises. But they must take action to help themselves.
The AMN Healthcare 2023 Survey of Registered Nurses found that nurses reducing stress and using mental health services led to greater career and job satisfaction than nurses who do not address nurse mental health. Only 20 percent of nurses reported using employer-offered programs, yet more than half said they find employer-offered programs effective. Sixty-five percent of nurses participate in or access mental health and well-being resources at least weekly, but 35 percent of nurses never address mental health issues.
The ANF/McKinsey survey found two-thirds of nurses were not receiving mental-health support. The reasons they gave for not taking advantage of this support included a lack of time, the ability to handle their own mental health, and financial concerns.
Additionally, practicing self-care is of paramount importance for nurses. This includes participating in physical activities, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and staying well hydrated; balancing work and other activities; managing stress; finding joy in activities; practicing mindfulness; setting boundaries; and socializing with friends and family. These activities will help nurses become more resilient and emotionally well, giving them tools to draw on during difficult times. Learn more: Mental Health Care Tips for RNs.
“Work–life balance looks different for everyone,” Kelsey said. “It took me a long time to recognize that.”
However, sometimes nurses must seek additional support and resources for mental health.
"Don’t wait for the signs and symptoms of burnout or stress or anxiety; talk about what is going on, now,” Brittany advised.
Accessing mental health support for nurses
In addition to resources provided by healthcare employers, many independent resources for mental health exist to provide support for nurses. Here are a few:
- For the Frontlines and Crisis Text Line offer a text mental health service for healthcare workers and essential workers.
- American Nurses Foundation Well-Being Initiative offers mental health resources for nurses.
- Therapy Aid Coalition, a free and low-cost therapy for U.S. healthcare professionals and first responders.
- PeerRxMed, a free, peer-supported mental health service for physicians and other members of the care team.
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for people in distress. Although not specific to nurses, it is a valuable resource for mental health.
- Additionally, a number of mobile apps are available, including Calm, X2, Better Help, and Breathe2Relax.
Mental health therapy or counseling can help nurses explore new ways to think about their challenges and offer new perspectives. Just having a professional to talk with can prove beneficial.
Nurse leaders have a responsibility to offer support for nurses. They sometimes can change a schedule or resolve another issue bothering the nurse.
How AMN Healthcare supports nurse mental health
Recognizing the need to support mental health for nurses, the team at AMN Healthcare was determined to expand the company’s offerings. Their current resources for nurses include:
- SupportLinc, an employee assistance program that allows clinical managers to stay on the phone and directly hand off a nurse in need of counseling to a qualified mental health professional. It also offers ongoing therapy.
- 24/7 clinical support. Day or night, nurses who have concerns, are stressed, angry or in crisis can call one of the company’s clinical managers, specially trained to assist nurses through many issues that might crop up. Clinical managers also check in with the nurse to ensure the assignment is going well. For some larger clients, AMN Healthcare will place a clinical manager in the facility to work with its nurses; these specialists round on the units and provide additional support.
- Improved credentialing support. While AMN Healthcare has always assisted nurses in obtaining credentialling for an upcoming assignment, the company regularly reviews surveys, assessing for any complaints or concerns and adjusts its processes accordingly.
- Experience surveys conducted during orientation and mid-assignment ask nurses about their experiences. Any negative comments or concerns are addressed and, again, the company will act to modify or enhance how it conducts its business and supports its nurses.
- Crisis/bereavement case management steps in when a clinician is dealing with a crisis due to the loss of a loved one or a serious illness. The team member may negotiate with the facility to obtain time off for the nurse to go home for a funeral or end the assignment. “We partner with the clinical manager to figure out what is best for the clinician,” Kelsey said. “We are able to support in the moment.”
- Caring for Caregivers represents a grant opportunity to provide financial support for a clinician who has experienced a traumatic event, such as a fire or loss during a natural disaster.
- Schwartz Rounds enable a variety of clinicians to share experiences, learn from each other and drill down on the humanness of medicine. AMN Healthcare held its first virtual Schwartz Rounds in December 2023 and has more planned for 2024.
Discover more benefits for AMN Healthcare nurses
AMN Healthcare nurses enjoy the freedom to practice in various locations and work settings that they choose. They can get to know different cities and communities, perhaps trying out places they might want to settle down. They can learn valuable skills that will enhance their career while earning an attractive salary. And they can explore different nursing career paths, leading to both personal and professional growth.
In addition, the experienced team at AMN Healthcare will be there to offer support and assistance—every step of the way. Apply today to connect with a recruiter and begin your nursing adventure.
