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Tips from TSE: Keep your students-and yourself-stress-free

Staff Development Weekly: Insight on Evidence-Based Practice in Education, June 26, 2008

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Stress is not only the No. 1 health problem in America; it's one of the major problems facing your staff, resulting in poor job satisfaction and increased turnover. Some stress will always come with the nursing territory, but as an educator, you can play a pivotal role in helping the nurses in your organization manage the daily stress that comes with a taxing work environment.

"The educator plays a combined role when it comes to stress management," says Maria Shirey, RN, MS, MBA, CNAA, BC, FACHE, PhD(c), adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. "They play the role-modeling role and the reinforcing role."

Grissel Hernandez, MPH, BSN, RN, director of clinical education at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, NJ, says exemplifying stress-reducing strategies is the key to helping students keep their cool. "We basically represent the model of how we want them to be around patients, families, and other colleagues," says Hernandez.

Hernandez hands out "STOP Meditation" cards to her new graduates for them to have on hand and reference during stressful moments. "It's one-minute meditation," she says. STOP stands for:

• Slowing down
• Taking three deep breaths
• Observing your mind and body (e.g., "Am I hungry?")
• Proceed with your day

"You should STOP for two or three minutes every hour of the workday," says Hernandez. "Give yourself permission."

Editor's note: This excerpt was taken from the July issue of The Staff Educator. Discover all the benefits of subscribing!

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