Work-life balance for healthcare professionals is particularly difficult to achieve, given the nature of the field. While healthcare workers have one of the most rewarding careers, the demanding schedules, long hours, and mentally taxing environments at times can lead to a suffering home-life.
Did you know that an unhealthy work-life balance can lead to burnout, negative mental and physical health, and poor patient outcomes?
So, how do you find the balance between a purposeful work-life and a healthy home-life? Creating and maintaining a work-life balance takes consistent and ongoing effort!
Below are 5 simple tips to achieve work-life balance for healthcare professionals. Start implementing one tip at a time and see what a difference it can make for you!
- Prioritize What’s Important to You
If your work-life balance is non-existent, something needs to change! Sadly, it’s common for healthcare workers to miss out on what they value, such as time with loved ones or the ability to invest in other areas they’re passionate about.
Do you need to change your schedule? Cut back on hours? Remove a weekly obligation from your list? There’s not enough time for anything and everything to fit into your days or weeks. Figure out what makes it to the top of the list and rearrange so that important aspects are given priority.
- Learn to Say No
Setting healthy boundaries is crucial. Picking up extra shifts, working overtime, agreeing to take on a side project, or committing to extra classes can all overbook and exhaust you.
Healthcare workers love to take care of people, and often pleasing people can be a struggle. What do you need to say “no” to so you have time to say “yes” to the things you really want or need?
- Have Fun!
It’s so beneficial to schedule things you’ll look forward to, especially after a long stretch of shifts!
Find hobbies outside of work that bring you joy. Book a trip or engage in a favorite activity you love to do such as reading, hiking, trying new restaurants, and investing in friendships.
When you’re able to enjoy yourself as a person instead of wrapping your entire identity into being a healthcare worker, your life becomes more fulfilling!
- Focus on Self-Care to Prevent Burnout
You have to fill yourself up before you can take care of others! Quality sleep, hydration, nutritious foods, fulfilling hobbies, sunlight, movement, and exercise are all basic examples of self-care.
Set a reminder to check-in on yourself, set goals, and rejuvenate your mind and body. Remember, rest is just as important as being productive!
- Set Boundaries
Leaving work at work sounds easy, yet can be really difficult for healthcare workers.
After a tough shift, it’s hard to switch from work mode back into your home-life. To help with that transition try bringing a journal in your car to decompress after each shift. Write down your thoughts, pour out what’s going through your head, process, and then put it away so you can move forward.
Try turning off notifications outside of your designated shift time. Only check emails or texts during certain hours, and work to improve your time-management during your shifts so you’re not finishing charting at home.
Achieve Work-Life Balance Using the nurseIO App
As a healthcare professional using the nurseIO app, you’re more likely to sustain a positive work-life balance!
With the ability to work when and where you want, picking up one-time per diem shifts or short-term assignments on your terms, you’re in charge!
If you don’t prefer shifts during nights, weekends, or holidays, you don’t have to schedule yourself on the app! YOU get to be your own boss and choose how your schedule looks on any given day.
Being able to choose per diem shifts when and where you want is also associated with decreased levels of burnout. You have the ability to work at your own pace with less pressure and stress, and can prioritize other important areas of your life!
It IS possible to have a work-life balance for healthcare professionals! Start implementing these 5 simple tips today and see the difference it makes!
