Katherine B. Cooper
- Katherine B. Cooper, MS, CRNA, APRN, practices nurse anesthesiology in Tennessee.
In 2020, healthcare providers reported surging rates of depression and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take an enormous toll on the physical, mental, and emotional health of healthcare workers and their patients.
Early in the pandemic, many healthcare providers were furloughed or forced to use precious paid time off. Now with increased hospital admissions, prolonged shifts and changing protocols have become the new normal.
When staff are required to work overtime or in areas outside their expertise, burnout and job dissatisfaction increases and the opportunity to provide efficient and excellent care while supporting each other decreases. Healthcare workers create care plans for their patients, but often lack a sustainable care plan for themselves.
During surges, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have used their unique expertise in anesthesiology and critical care in intensive care units to manage ventilators, coordinate emergency airway teams, and lead teams of caregivers. CRNAs nationwide have stepped up and put their lives on the line to care for patients, but they rarely allow themselves time for self-care.
Healthcare professionals need care without judgment
The lack of care for caregivers is a crucial missing link in healthcare. The idea of wellness in the workplace has taken a back seat in these challenging times. Repeated exposure to stress takes a toll on the well-being of caregivers.
Consequently, this crisis continues to put extensive and intense physical and emotional demands on CRNAs and other healthcare professionals. Caregivers need to practice self-care and use their innate compassion and expertise to prioritize wellness for themselves as well as their patients.
Healthcare workers must realize that they are worthy of the same exceptional care and service they provide. Developing a strong positive support network at home and at work is vitally important.
To provide optimal care for patients during this pandemic, healthcare professionals should be able to accept help without judgment or consequences. Staffing coordinators can offer screening tools such as personal risk assessments and wellness services and opportunities for decompression.
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Those experiencing negative health effects can find help through peer assistance programs provided by national organizations, such as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).
Six self-care tips for caregivers
- Be aware of your stress response, and don’t be afraid to reach out for peer assistance when needed.
- Take time away to decompress and find a way to engage in physical activity. When time is limited, incorporating short bursts of exercise such as walking, stretching, or yoga can break up the daily routine and benefit healthcare providers emotionally and physically.
- Choose a wellness plan that can be easily incorporated into a stressful day but doesn’t add additional pressure. Decompression options include meditating, taking a calming bath or a refreshing nap, journaling, staying hydrated, listening to a motivational podcast during commutes or while walking, calling a close friend, creating an inspirational playlist, and creating a gratitude list.
- When wearing a tight mask or respirator at work and in public is a requirement, staying hydrated and using good skin care products are a must.
- Taking supplements can optimize a healthy body and mind.
- Take advantage of healthcare workers’ and first responders’ discounts at stores and restaurants.
Finding ways to prioritize physical and mental health is important during normal circumstances and crucial in times of stress. Healthcare workers truly are the wounded healers. It’s time to make caring for the caregiver a priority in healthcare.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are advanced practice nurses and anesthesia professionals who safely administer more than 49 million anesthetics to patients each year. CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered, often as sole anesthesia providers, including the U.S. Military. More information can be found on AANA.com
Katherine B. Cooper, MS, CRNA, APRN, practices nurse anesthesiology in Tennessee. Mrs. Cooper is a founding member of CRNAPartners.com (a partnership of continuing education resources for CRNAs), Owner of Med-Ed.us (a life support training venture), and an advocate for incorporating CBD as a part of healthy living (Cooper-CBD.com).
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