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Recognizing stress

LTC Nursing Assistant Trainer, November 3, 2005

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A CNA cannot always relieve stress right away. For instance, he or she cannot yell at a resident whose slowness keeps work from getting done or schedules from staying on track. But constant stress also results in burnout, which occurs when a CNA-or anybody-becomes worn out mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

Eventually, stressed-out CNAs may not care about their work or much of anything else, which can seriously affect the quality of care they provide. Burned-out CNAs are slow to respond to call lights, often do not speak to residents when they provide care, and may treat one or all residents as confused. They also affect other staff members-burnout directly breeds absenteeism.

Recognizing stress isn't always easy, but some of the common ways it affects the body are as follows:

• headaches
• tight neck muscles
• clenched jaw
• insomnia
• depression
• loss of appetite
• overeating
• indigestion
• fatigue
• skin rash
• backache
• irritability

It's a good idea to learn physical and mental exercises that help to ease stress, and of course to always know when it is a good time to take a break.

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