In a survey conducted by the American Nurses Foundation in May, involving over 7,400 nurses across the United States, two-thirds expressed experiencing mental anguish or toxic emotions. Additionally, 56% acknowledged the existence of stigma for healthcare providers seeking help.
This underscores the fact that COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing issues within the healthcare system. As the nation endeavors to bounce back from the repercussions of the pandemic, healthcare leaders and all levels of government may need to prioritize efforts in aiding the recovery of exhausted nurses.
Just last August 2023, Tristin Kate Smith, an ER nurse, was among those who fell victim to the flaws of the healthcare system. Tristin, like countless other nurses nationwide, suffered abuse and was pushed beyond her breaking point. She was only 28 years old.
Before taking her own life, she wrote a letter to her abuser. In her impactful letter, Tristin Kate Smith detailed the abuse she endured as a nurse, sparking a viral response that resonated deeply with healthcare workers throughout the country. Disturbingly, research from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and UC San Diego Health, Department of Nursing, reveals that nurses face a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population. It is evident that nurses are in dire need of support.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscore a mental health crisis among healthcare workers, with 46% reporting elevated levels of burnout and poor mental health compared to the pre-COVID-19 era.
Nurses nationwide consistently share their experiences of profound burnout, stemming from extended hours in high-stress environments. This leads to heightened fatigue, increased risk of injury, and a pervasive sense of job dissatisfaction.
Aside from the stigma attached to seeking mental health care within the nursing profession, nurses contend with a range of chronic and unaddressed yet crucial workplace challenges that have persisted for years. These include unchecked workplace violence, forced overtime, obstacles to professional practice, and unsafe work environments, all of which contribute to nurse turnover and understaffing.
These lingering issues exact a significant toll on the mental health of nurses, and the resulting damage can have enduring effects, with some individuals potentially never fully recovering.
The American Nurses Foundation joins with national nursing organizations in calling meaningful action through policy and legislation to provide healthier work environments, timely resources, and a prioritization of nurses' mental health and wellness.
President Joe Biden took a step by signing into law the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, encouraging nurses to seek support and care for their mental health. The foundation is committed to providing nurses with a hub of resources to meet the demands of healthcare delivery.
However, it is noted that such measures alone are insufficient as there is a need of substantial investments in the nursing profession to bring about sustained positive change.