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How can nurses build resilience to better handle stress in the operating room?

Working in the operating room (OR) can be a highly stressful and demanding environment for nurses. You have to deal with complex procedures, unpredictable situations, life-and-death decisions, and emotional pressures. How can you cope with these challenges and maintain your well-being and performance? The answer lies in building resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity and adapt to change. In this article, you will learn some practical strategies to enhance your resilience and better handle stress in the OR.

1 Understand your stressors

The first step to building resilience is to identify and understand what causes you stress in the OR. Stressors can vary from person to person, but some common ones are workload, time pressure, communication issues, ethical dilemmas, patient outcomes, and personal factors. By recognizing your stressors, you can anticipate and prepare for them, as well as seek support and resources when needed. You can also use self-awareness techniques, such as journaling, reflection, or mindfulness, to monitor your stress levels and emotions.

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Nanda Bakker Ait Arrami

Intercultureel Psycholoog
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Knowing yourself and your stressors , emotions and or mindset is crucial in any environment , work or private . When you know yourself , you know where are your strengths , what you can handle well and where you need support or even hand over part of the tasks you need to perform, but the challenge is to be honest and true to yourself . This is where people struggle , specially when they feel the need to be perfect . Accept that you are not perfect , not always right and that this is oke , because we are here to learn and grow . Let the journey be the key , it will cause more stress and more fun. Enjoy your journey 🕊️🌟

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2 Manage your stress response

The second step to building resilience is to manage how you react to stress in the OR. Stress can trigger a fight-or-flight response, which can impair your judgment, memory, attention, and communication. To counteract this, you need to activate your relaxation response, which can calm your nervous system and restore your balance. You can do this by using breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, or positive affirmations. You can also practice these techniques before, during, or after a stressful situation to reduce your anxiety and tension.

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Nanda Bakker Ait Arrami

Intercultureel Psycholoog
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Great points , another one how to keep balance , manage stress in a stressful environment or tasks where there is a lot at stake like in OR . Focus helps you to balance this stress , focus on what you know best and have absolute fait in best outcome scenario .

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3 Strengthen your coping skills

The third step to building resilience is to strengthen your coping skills, which are the actions and attitudes you use to deal with stress in the OR. Coping skills can be divided into two types: problem-focused and emotion-focused. Problem-focused coping skills are aimed at solving or changing the source of stress, such as prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, asking for help, or setting boundaries. Emotion-focused coping skills are aimed at regulating or expressing your feelings, such as venting, seeking support, humor, or self-compassion. You can use a combination of both types of coping skills depending on the situation and your needs.

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4 Build your support network

The fourth step to building resilience is to build your support network, which is the group of people who can provide you with emotional, practical, or professional assistance in the OR. Your support network can include your colleagues, managers, mentors, friends, family, or counselors. You can benefit from your support network by sharing your experiences, seeking advice, receiving feedback, learning from others, or simply having someone to listen and empathize. You can also offer your support to others who may be facing similar challenges in the OR.

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5 Nurture your well-being

The fifth step to building resilience is to nurture your well-being, which is the state of being healthy and happy in all aspects of your life. Your well-being can affect your resilience and vice versa, so it is important to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You can do this by following a healthy lifestyle, such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, and avoiding substance abuse. You can also engage in activities that bring you joy, fulfillment, and meaning, such as hobbies, volunteering, learning, or spirituality.

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Bridgitte Hammaker

Experienced therapist & Transformational coach for Mid-career professionals 💥 Helping you to De-stress, Feel calm, Balanced, and Re-discover joy
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One thing I have found helpful is to spend some time thinking about things I enjoyed earlier in life, things that I enjoy now, and what I might like to try. Activities that help us to relax and unplug, make us feel more healthy or bring us joy often need to be intentionally planned for because if often feels like we have so many other priorities that might seem more important on the surface. When I take time to consider what these things do for me I realize that they are necessary and everyone around me and my business are better when I take the time to invest in my wellbeing.

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6 Develop a growth mindset

The sixth and final step to building resilience is to develop a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can improve your abilities and overcome challenges through effort and feedback. A growth mindset can help you view stress in the OR as an opportunity to learn, grow, and excel, rather than a threat to your competence and confidence. You can develop a growth mindset by setting realistic and specific goals, embracing feedback and criticism, celebrating your achievements and progress, and learning from your failures and mistakes.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can nurses build resilience to better handle stress in the operating room?

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1 Understand your stressors

2 Manage your stress response

3 Strengthen your coping skills

4 Build your support network

5 Nurture your well-being

6 Develop a growth mindset

7 Here’s what else to consider

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