NRSG370 Clinical Integration: Reflecting on Stressors in Rehab

This essay reflects on stressors experienced by caregivers in a rehabilitation department, specifically focusing on shift work, long hours, and their impact on mental health and wellbeing. The author observes changes in the caregivers' behavior and appearance due to stress, drawing parallels to personal experiences. The essay highlights the negative consequences of stress on both caregivers and patients, emphasizing the importance of addressing workplace stressors to improve the quality of healthcare. Recommendations include introducing breaks, family counseling, recruiting additional staff, and encouraging physical exercise to mitigate stress and improve overall wellbeing within the rehabilitation facility. This document is contributed by a student and available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools for students.

Running head: MODULE 3 1
Module 3
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

MODULE 3 2
Reflection on Stressors at the Rehabilitation Department
The shift work and the long working hours stressed two caregivers to the point that they
could not attend to the clients. The nurses were on the night shift from 8:50 pm to 1 am in the
early morning due to a large number of patients. The facility also expected the professionals to
report to their duty post at 9 am and work up to 4 pm before leaving for their respective homes.
The continued routine made the specialists have little time for themselves and their family
members. Unfavorable work schedule leads to mental complications like depression (Gifkins,
Loudoun, & Johnston, 2017).
I realized that the specialists stayed inside the office away from the patients. They were
sad and avoided interacting with colleagues. The hygiene levels of the two stressed caregivers
had reduced as they had unkempt hair. They also started reporting to work in dirty clothes and
unpolished shoes. The sudden changes in the physical appearance indicate that the working
conditions are exerting stress and anxiety on them (Gifkins, Loudoun, & Johnston, 2017).
Therefore, the facility should conduct thorough research to address the wellbeing of the
employees. The first question is how to modify the shift to eliminate stress. Furthermore, what
coping strategies can the victim nurses adapt to stay away from mental disorders?
Stress due to workload is a common occurrence as I have experienced it in my last place
of work. Recent research has also shown that nurses who work at night shifts are vulnerable to
stress since they have little time for social functions (Hegney et al., 2014). However, I developed
stress since I was working on public holidays and during the weekends. My reaction to the
situation was similar to that of the two nurses since I started reporting to work in dirty clothes. I
have developed skills and knowledge that assist me to stay from stress at the health facility.
Taking breaks during duty reduces stress.

MODULE 3 3
The significant factors that cause stress among workers are long working hours and
unfavorable shifts. The two situations limit the time for family, friends, and other essential
activities outside the health facility. Excess workload also increases the chances of
gastrointestinal infections and immune disorders which further complicate the mental situation of
the patient. Stressor affects health and the wellbeing of both the caregiver and the client. A
stressed health professional jeopardizes the safety of the patient. Therefore, the hospital should
implement methods of eliminating mental illness to improve the quality of medication (Walker,
Costa, Foster, & de Bruin, 2017).
The success of future provision of quality health services depends on how health facilities
can deal with stressors at the workplace. I would recommend the introduction of breaks during
the working hours to break the boredom and monotony of work. Health stakeholders should
conduct family counseling for the victims of stress. The Australian government should recruit
additional caregivers to reduce the workload on the existing care providers. The hospital
administrator should encourage the specialists to engage in physical exercise between the
working hours (Ab Latif, & Nor, 2016). The above suggestion benefits the caregivers, patients,
and the health facility as a whole.

MODULE 3 4
References
Ab Latif, R., & Nor, M. Z. M. (2016). Stressors and coping strategies during clinical practices
among diploma nursing students. Education in Medicine Journal, 8(3).
Gifkins, J., Loudoun, R., & Johnston, A. (2017). Coping strategies and social support needs of
experienced and inexperienced nurses performing shiftwork. Journal of Advanced
Nursing, 73(12), 3079-3089. 10.1111/jan.13374
Hegney, D. G., Craigie, M., Hemsworth, D., Osseiran‐Moisson, R., Aoun, S., Francis, K., &
Drury, V. (2014). Compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression, and
stress in registered nurses in A Australia: study one results. Journal of Nursing
Management, 22(4), 506-518.
Walker, A., Costa, B. M., Foster, A. M., & de Bruin, R. L. (2017). Transition and integration
experiences of Australian graduate nurses: A qualitative systematic review. Collegian,
24(5), 505-512.