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Stress has become a more recognised term over the past decade and is a major cause for concern for much of the nursing workforce. Stress can affect anyone, at any time – either directly or indirectly. ‘Occupational stress’, the work-related form of stress, is now a widely-acknowledged phenomenon.

Recognising the signs

Physical symptoms may include:

• a pounding heart
• elevated blood pressure
• sweaty palms
• tightness of chest
• aching neck, jaw and back muscles
• headache
• chest pains
• abdominal cramps
• nausea
• trembling
• sleep disturbance
• tiredness
• susceptibility to minor illness
• itching
• easily startled
• forgetfulness.

You may experience:

• your mind racing or going blank
• not being able to ‘switch off ’
• a lack of attention to detail
• your self-esteem and confidence plummeting
• disorganised thoughts
• a diminished sense of meaning in life
• a lack of control or the need for too much control
• negative self-statements and negative evaluation
• difficulty in making decisions
• a loss of perspective.

You may be:

• making ‘mountains out of molehills’
• driving yourself too hard with ‘I must do this, ought to do that, should do the other’ or demanding too much of others as well as yourself.

You may:

• become withdrawn and not want to socialise
• increase your alcohol, nicotine or drugs intake
• under eat or over eat
• become accident prone and careless
• become impatient, aggressive or compulsive – pacing, fidgeting, swearing, blaming, throwing and hitting!
• work longer hours – not take breaks, take work home, procrastinate with important projects,
• take the ‘headless chicken’ approach when under pressure, and manage your time poorly
• no longer have time for leisure activities.

You may feel:

• irritable
• angry
• depressed
• jealous
• restless
• anxious
• unreal or hyper alert
• unnecessarily guilty.

You may experience:

• panic
• mood swings, crying easily.

Seeking Support

If you are concerned about your levels of stress and anxiety, you can contact the RCN to set up an appointment with our confidential telephone counselling service. You can then talk through your concerns and counselling can support you to manage your situation and develop helpful coping strategies.

RCN Peer Support Network

Stress and anxiety are common reasons members cite for joining the peer support service. This network allows you to make connections with other healthcare professionals who have lived experience of disability, including those with mental ill health. Join here.