International Nurses Day is celebrated each year on 12 May. The day is a reminder to care for those who care for us. In this regard, You! talks to a few professional nurses who share their personal experiences. Read on…
Nurses are the backbone of any healthcare system. They are the tireless caregivers who ensure patients are tended to round the clock, sometimes at great personal cost. Without their dedication, the intricate machinery of healthcare would grind to a halt.
As we celebrate International Nurses Day 2025, with its timely theme ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies’, a critical question emerges: Is our healthcare system designed to care for those who care for us? To explore this, I spoke with nurses of varying experience levels and roles, from direct patient care to managerial positions, to understand how they perceive mental health, whether their workplaces are responsive to these concerns, and what measures are in place to support their wellbeing. Their stories reveal not only the challenges they face but also the resilience, wisdom, and hope that define their profession. Read on…
Balancing leadership and compassion
Farzana, a nurse with two decades of experience, now serves in a managerial role, overseeing operations and staff welfare. Her perspective is shaped by years of navigating the complexities of healthcare delivery. She identifies several factors that influence stress levels among nurses, particularly in high-pressure environments. “Technology, like online systems, has streamlined many processes, but the steps required for patient safety, such as documentation and compliance with protocols, must be completed within tight timeframes. If staffing isn’t allocated properly, it creates a domino effect of stress and burnout,” she explains.
Farzana advocates for a rational approach to administrative tasks. “We need to identify the minimum essential paperwork nurses must complete. Reducing unnecessary documentation frees up time for patient care and eases mental strain,” she says. She also emphasises the importance of regular training sessions to keep nurses updated on new processes and policies. “When nurses feel confident in their roles, it reduces anxiety and builds resilience,” she notes.
Beyond operational efficiencies, Farzana highlights the value of workplace initiatives that foster camaraderie and stress relief. Events like annual sports days, employee nights, and team-building activities play a significant role in boosting morale. “These moments remind nurses they’re part of a community. They help us recharge and reconnect,” she elucidates.
Staffing ratios are another critical concern. “The nurse-to-patient ratio must be balanced. Overloading nurses with too many patients increases stress and compromises care quality,” insists Farzana. Her insights underscore the need for systemic changes to prioritise nurse wellbeing, which ultimately benefits patients and the healthcare system as a whole.
On a personal level, Farzana juggles her demanding career with family life. Her six-year-old daughter sometimes grows upset when she returns home late, a poignant reminder of the emotional toll of nursing. Fortunately, her family is supportive, understanding the nature of her work. “They know I am doing something meaningful,” she says with a smile. Farzana’s story reflects the delicate balance nurses maintain between professional duty and personal life, a balance that hinges on mental resilience and external support.
An experience from the chemotherapy bay
Naila, a nurse in her fifth year at a bustling chemotherapy bay, brings a different perspective. Enrolled in a BS Oncology programme, she is deeply committed to her professional growth. Her work environment is intense, with eight-hour shifts that demand precision and emotional fortitude. Naila recalls a period when staff shortages led to a temporary increase to 12-hour shifts. “It backfired,” she says candidly. “The longer hours caused burnout, and we saw higher turnover as a result.” Recognising the issue, the nurses communicated their concerns to leadership, who promptly reverted to the original schedule. This responsiveness, Naila notes, made a significant difference. “It showed that our voices matter.”
Working with high-alert medications in a sensitive area like oncology requires unwavering focus. “If a nurse is mentally distressed, it affects everything - family, work, patient safety,” expresses Naila. Turnover in such specialised roles is particularly challenging, as training new staff from scratch is time-consuming and resource-intensive. Yet, Naila finds meaning in her direct patient interactions. “When patients’ express gratitude or offer prayers, it’s incredibly rewarding,” she says. “But it’s not without risks,” she adds.
She recounts a recent incident where a colleague faced a volatile situation while administering an IV. The patient, agitated, began shouting, creating a tense moment. Naila stepped in, calmly de-escalating the situation. “Staying composed is critical. You can’t let emotions take over,” she mentions. Her personal mantra for navigating tough days is simple yet profound: ‘This too shall pass’. This mindset, coupled with a supportive team, has been her anchor.
Naila’s team proved especially vital during her pregnancy. “They were incredibly cooperative, adjusting schedules and checking in on me,” she recalls. Her family also plays a crucial role, providing a stable home environment that allows her to focus on work without worrying about her children. Comparing her current workplace to her previous one, Naila appreciates the absence of a ‘VIP culture’. “Here, everyone, whether self-paying or financially supported, receives the same quality of care. Patients know they’ll wait their turn, which reduces entitled behaviour and creates a more respectful environment,” she informs. This egalitarian approach, combined with the respect afforded to nurses, makes her current workplace a haven compared to her past experiences.
Mental health matters
Tanzila, a seasoned nurse, offers insights into how experience shapes mental resilience. “Coping mechanisms evolve over time. New nurses might feel overwhelmed, but with experience, you learn to manage stress more effectively,” she observes. Her workplace is proactive about mental health, offering access to an Employee Health Clinic where nurses can seek psychological support. “It’s a safe space. If someone’s struggling, they know help is available,” she tells.
Tanzila shares the story of a young male nurse who suffered profound heartbreak after a broken engagement. “He was devastated; physically trembling, forgetful, unable to focus,” she recalls. Recognising his distress, Tanzila guided him to the clinic, where he received counselling. “He’s doing much better now,” she says with pride. Her story highlights the importance of destigmatising mental health support. “The stigma is fading. “Nurses at my workplace understand that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” notes Tanzila.
The clinic offers a range of interventions, from talk therapy and meditation to breathing exercises and, in severe cases, medical leave recommended by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Tanzila also shares a practical tip for protecting mental health: maintaining professional boundaries. “Be empathetic, listen to your patients, but don’t become emotionally entangled. Stay present, but know where to draw the line,” she suggests. This balance allows nurses to provide compassionate care without compromising their own wellbeing.
During our conversation, a young girl interrupted us, her face beaming with gratitude. It was her last day of chemotherapy, and she had come to see Tanzila, her favourite nurse. The moment was a testament to the profound impact nurses have on their patients’ lives, even amidst their own challenges. Tanzila’s ability to inspire such devotion speaks to her skill, empathy, and resilience.
Prioritising nurses’ wellbeing
The stories of Farzana, Naila, and Tanzila highlight a critical truth: the mental wellbeing of nurses is not just a personal matter but a systemic imperative. When nurses are mentally healthy, they provide safer, more effective care, reducing errors and enhancing patient outcomes. Conversely, burnout and stress contribute to high turnover, which strains healthcare systems and increases costs. According to recent studies, high nurse turnover rates in some region is linked to burnout. This churn disrupts continuity of care, places additional burdens on remaining staff, and undermines healthcare economies.
Workplace policies play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. Farzana’s emphasis on staffing ratios and streamlined paperwork points to the need for structural reforms. Naila’s experience with responsive leadership underscores the value of open communication and adaptability. Tanzila’s access to psychological support highlights the importance of proactive mental health resources. Together, their insights paint a picture of what’s possible when healthcare systems prioritise nurses’ wellbeing.
Yet, challenges persist. Staff shortages, a global issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to strain nurses. Inadequate staffing ratios force nurses to juggle excessive workloads, increasing the risk of burnout. Administrative burdens, as Farzana noted, divert time and energy from patient care. And while progress has been made in reducing mental health stigma, not all workplaces offer the robust support Tanzila describes. For many nurses, seeking help remains a daunting prospect, particularly in cultures where mental health is still taboo.
Families and communities also have a role to play. Farzana and Naila both credit supportive families for helping them navigate the demands of their careers. Public awareness campaigns, like those tied to International Nurses Day, can further educate society about the pressures nurses face, fostering greater empathy and advocacy for their wellbeing.
A call to action
As we reflect on International Nurses Day 2025, the theme of nurse wellbeing invites us to act. Healthcare systems must invest in mental health resources, from counselling services to stress management programmes. Leaders should prioritise equitable staffing, reduce administrative burdens, and foster inclusive, respectful workplaces. Nurses themselves must feel empowered to seek help when needed, knowing that doing so strengthens their ability to care for others.
The stories of Farzana, Naila, and Tanzila remind us that nurses are not just caregivers but human beings with their own struggles and triumphs. Their resilience is remarkable, but it should not be taken for granted. By prioritising their mental health, we ensure that the heart of our healthcare system continues to beat strong - for the benefit of nurses, patients, and society as a whole.
The writer is a LUMS alumna and a community social worker with special interest in public health, philosophy, and human rights. She can be reached at mariamk27@hotmail.com. Her X handle is @mariamibkhan
