Mental Health Matters: A Deep Dive into Nurse Well-being with Dr. Matt Boland
Career nurses regularly face burnout, emotional stress, and traumatic experiences. Yet, demanding shifts and the daily grind of patient care often push mental health to the backseat. In the latest episode of Nursing Uncharted, Dr. Matt Boland, a psychologist passionate about evidence-based mental health strategies, joins us to discuss prioritizing nurses' mental health.
Why Mental Health Matters
During the podcast, the host explained how nurses faced unprecedented struggles post-pandemic, managing both personal and professional adversities. Caregivers continue to deal with the lingering emotional aftermath of COVID’s peak, and still feel stretched to their breaking point. Dr. Boland said healthcare workers, including nurses, are not just caregivers—they are also human. The stigma of "always needing to be on" often prevents them from acknowledging or processing the emotional weight of their experiences.
Key Takeaways: Strategies for Managing Mental Health
Here are some strategies Dr. Boland recommends nurses to regulate emotions, process trauma, and prioritize self-care:
1. Manage Emotions in Real Time
Dr. Boland highlighted the importance of emotional regulation—managing and responding to stressors and emotions during nursing shifts. Emotions like frustration, anxiety, or anger can create obstacles, but the key is not labeling them as bad. Instead, focus on what actions to take with those emotions.
Examples:
- Pause to breathe and reframe triggering situations.
- Separate emotion (e.g., anger) from behavior (e.g., snapping at a patient’s family member). Nurses can choose their reactions after acknowledging their emotions.
2. Plan for Stressful Scenarios
Dr. Boland encouraged nurses to prepare for known stressors through “preemptive planning.” While nurses can’t anticipate every challenge, they can create mental scripts for recurring stressful situations, like demanding patients or tough family dynamics.
Actionable Tip:
Tell yourself: “I can say, ‘I’ll address this shortly,’ to give myself time.” Preemptive communication sets a calmer tone and reduces frustration before it escalates.
3. Balance Suppressing and Releasing Emotions
Dr. Boland explained how temporary suppression of emotions can help nurses navigate high-stakes environments. However, nurses should intentionally release those emotions post-shift or during breaks to avoid long-term consequences, such as burnout or health issues.
Key Takeaway:
Suppress emotions, when necessary, but make time to process them later.
4. Cope With Trauma
Trauma from shifts—whether losing a patient or handling emergencies—can leave emotional scars. Dr. Boland shared techniques for managing these experiences:
- Short-term solutions: Use breathing techniques or grounding exercises to stay present.
- Long-term actions: Watch for signs of trauma, like avoiding meals, isolating yourself, frequent intrusive thoughts, or irritability. Recognizing these patterns helps nurses seek professional support.
Dr. Boland urged nurses to seek professional help if trauma symptoms last beyond 4-6 weeks or interfere with daily life. He emphasized that asking for support is a proactive way
to build emotional resilience, not a sign of weakness. “It’s about tools to manage better in the long run,” he said.
Dr. Boland’s Top Three Relaxation Tips for Nurses
Dr. Boland shared practical ways for nurses to decompress after stressful shifts:
1. Check-In with Yourself
Identify your emotions after a shift. Say them out loud or write them down to reduce overwhelm and refocus.
2. Rely on Social Support
Connect with coworkers, friends, or family to share your experiences. Talking during a car ride home or venting with a trusted person can ease stress.
3. Shift Your Focus
Engage in activities that bring you joy and peace, such as journaling, playing music, reading, or spending time outside. Find what helps you recharge.
What’s Your Next Step? Take a moment to evaluate how you’re feeling after your latest shift. Do you need space to process emotions? Is it time to have an honest conversation with a colleague or seek help?
Let’s continue this meaningful dialogue on Instagram at @AMNNurse or explore more resources at AMNHealthcare.com.
