Striving for work-life balance

By Susan Simmons, PhD, ARNP-BC

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WORK-LIFE BALANCE means bring-

ing work, whether done on the job
or at home, and leisure time into bal-
ance to live life to its fullest. It doesn’t
mean that you spend half of your life
working and half of it playing; in-
stead, it means balancing the two to
achieve harmony in physical, emo-
tional, and spiritual health.
In today’s economy, can nurses
achieve work-life balance? Although
doing so may be difficult, the conse-
quences to our health can be enormous
if we don’t try. This article describes
some of the stresses faced by nurses
and tips for attaining a healthy bal-
ance of work and leisure.

Increased stress
In 1968, about 25% of children lived
in households in which all parents
worked; today, almost 50% of chil-
dren live in this type of household.1
With many two-parent households
accustomed to living on two pay-
checks, when one parent loses a job,
the healthcare worker may feel pres-
sure to continue working, or even to
work more, adding to stress.
Factors such as shift work and
staffing patterns can increase stress in
healthcare workers. Often work de-
mands and patient needs take prece-
dence over nurses’ needs.
Shift work, especially rotating shifts,
can disrupt workers’ circadian rhythms,
resulting in sleep disturbances, acci-
dents, and illnesses. Shift workers may
also experience psychological issues re-
lated to isolation from family and friends
who aren’t on the same schedule.2
Adequate staffing affects each of us.
When a shift or workplace doesn’t
have enough nurses, this shortage
increases demands on the employees.
Issues that interfere with providing
adequate staffing include retiring
nurses, as well as recruitment and
retention issues.3 In some areas,
hiring freezes may be in effect.
Problems with recruitment and
retention can be partially attributed to
the increasing complexity of patient
care. Patients who are hospitalized
today are sicker than ever before, but
their hospital stay is expected to be
shorter and less costly. Nurses are
asked to give the best possible care, in
the shortest amount of time, using
minimal resources.
Burnout and other health issues
Burnout is defined as a state of
continual physical and mental
exhaustion; it can result in workers
being disconnected from both work
and home because they don’t have
enough energy for either.4 Dissatisfac-
tion at the workplace, especially if
conditions can’t be improved, can
lead to burnout.4 Exhaustion and
being disconnected can increase the
incidence of mistakes and accidents at
both work and home.4 A frequent
complaint is that a job well done isn’t
recognized.3
As a result of increased stress and
burnout, a new personality type, type D,
may be emerging. A type D person is
distressed and often exhibits certain

www.nursingcenter.com Lippincott’s 2012 Nursing Career Directory 25

personality traits including negativity, challenged in ways that stimulate us, have to “work” at it—but in the long
pessimism, depression, anxiety, and such as when we spend time with run, the balance we achieve in our
loneliness, and a decreased ability to friends, work on hobbies, perform vol- lives will be well worth the effort.
relax and enjoy leisure time.5 unteer work, or practice a spiritual life.5
An autotelic personality describes Self-awareness is key
Home life and beyond someone who lives in the moment Know who you are. Periodically
Pressures at home can include eco- and can get the most out of life, from evaluate yourself to be sure that you
nomic problems, marital discord, work to leisure.5 To be more autotelic, know your own goals, desires, likes,
daily chores, children’s activities, practice setting challenging goals that wants, and needs. When you don’t
ongoing adult education, and elder maintain your interest and excitement know who you are and what you
care. Responsibilities at home need to in life. Become immersed in leisure want, it’s difficult to achieve balance,
be balanced with responsibilities at activities by avoiding distractions let alone happiness and inner peace.
work. (See Tips for balancing work, such as TV. In other words, be in the When you assess and reevaluate
home, and self.) moment finding enjoyment, relax- yourself, readjust the demands of
Leisure activity shouldn’t be confused ation, and inner peace so that you work and home as much as you can.
with sitting in front of the TV and tun- literally lose track of time.6 Relaxation Work and home life are both neces-
ing out. Leisure activity is enhanced and leisure activities may not come sary, but they should be fulfilling and
when we engage, explore, and are easily for everyone—some of us may satisfying. To achieve not only bal-
ance but also peace, fulfillment, and
happiness in your life, know yourself,
Tips for balancing work, home, and self take action, and maintain as much
To achieve balance in your life, try following a few simple rules.1,6-9 control over both work and home as
Work
possible. n
• Work is a must, so make the best of it. Do your job well.
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100331-cea-economics-workplace-flexibility.pdf.
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Self
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• Exercise most days of the week to increase your alertness and productivity, http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/5-strategies-
decrease pain, and improve your mood. for-life-balance?.
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9. Mayo Clinic staff. Work-life balance: tips to reclaim
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• Pursue education or training opportunities that will help you to transition into balance/WL00056/ METHOD=print.
a desired role or area of nursing practice that might offer opportunities for im-
proved work-life balance. Susan Simmons is a nurse practitioner at Olathe Medical
Services in Olathe, Kan., and a member of the Nursing2012
• Strive to maintain healthy relationships with coworkers, friends, and family; limit editorial board.
contact with those people who sap your energy or try to diminish your self-worth.
The author has disclosed that she has no financial rela-
tionships related to this article.

26 Lippincott’s 2012 Nursing Career Directory www.nursingcenter.com