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 Don't fool yourself; you are bound to come face-to-face with job stress working in healthcare, whether you are an audiologist, physical therapist, nurse or radiologist, a new graduate or a veteran. Job stress doesn't discriminate. It affects people of all ages, gender, ethnicities and backgrounds. A recent survey of more than 3,000 people by Yale University found that healthcare is one of the top 10 most stressful professions.
Job stress is something we all face as workers, and we all handle it differently. But not all stress is negative, and learning how to deal with and manage stress is critical to maximizing your job performance, staying safe on the job and maintaining your physical and mental health.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health defines job stress as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker.
"Stress also occurs when the situation has high demands and the worker has little or no control over it," says Anne Rohan, career advisor at Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY. A recent Northwestern National Life Insurance Co. survey pointed out the difficulties people have with job stress. The survey found that 40 percent of workers report their job is "very or extremely stressful." In addition, a quarter of employees view their jobs as the No. 1 stressor in their lives.
Symptoms and Causes
Some of the most common symptoms of job stress and burnout for healthcare professionals, according to Rohan, are apathy, low morale, boredom, fatigue, depression, anger/irritability, physical problems (headaches, stomach problems) and absenteeism.
The symptoms of job stress are usually related to being overworked, being in the wrong career or having a conflict with a boss or coworkers, Rohan says. "People who experience job stress usually try to handle their problems by working harder or completely shutting down," she says.
Manage the Stress
There are many methods to prevent job stress. Quintessential Careers, an online job search tool, created tips for dealing with the stress from your job.
Put it in perspective. Jobs are disposable; friends, family and health are not. If your employer expects too much, and it's starting to take its toll, start looking for a new job.
Get time away. If you feel stress building, take a break. Get away from the situation, perhaps walking around the unit or hospital. Meditating is always helpful.
Talk it out. Healthcare professionals often are dealing with people who have life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses. Speaking with a chaplain or a group about the situation takes a load off your shoulders.
Use humor. When you or the people around you start taking things too seriously, find a way to break through with laughter. Share a joke or funny story.
Have realistic expectations. We can only fit so much work into one day. Having unrealistic expectations for what you can accomplish sets you up for failure--and stress.
"Find a way to manage your stress and don't let it take control of you," says Rohan.
Nick Schaefer is associate director of Career Services at Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA.
How to STAY Stressed Or Become Stressed
- Never exercise. Exercise wastes a lot of time that could be spent worrying.
- Take plenty of stimulants. The old standards of caffeine, nicotine, sugar (energy drinks) and cola will continue to do the job just fine.
- Get rid of your social support system. Let the few friends who are willing to tolerate you know that you concern yourself with friendships only if you have time, and you never have time. If a few people persist in trying to be your friend, avoid them.
- Personalize all criticism. Anyone who criticizes any aspect of your work, family, dog, house or car is mounting a personal attack. Don't take time to listen. Be offended, then return the attack!
- Procrastinate. Putting things off to the last second always produces a marvelous amount of stress.
- Become a workaholic. Put work before everything else, and be sure to take work home evenings and weekends. Keep reminding yourself that vacations are for sissies.
- Worry about things you can't control. Obsess about the stock market, earthquakes and the approaching Ice Age. You know, all the big issues.
- Become a perfectionist. But not only a perfectionist--also set impossibly high standards and either beat yourself up, or feel guilty, depressed, discouraged and/or inadequate when you don't meet them.
-Adapted from www.PsychCentral.com, a Web site run by mental health professionals.
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