6 of the Hardest Nursing Jobs and What Makes Them So Stressful
A calling is often described as a deep sense of suitability for a specific job or profession, which certainly applies to nursing. Yet, it’s possible to be passionate about your work while also finding it challenging. This is especially true for nurses in high-stakes roles. Nurses facing considerable stress at work are at significant risk for burnout and compassion fatigue. Thankfully, numerous hospitals and healthcare organizations are starting to acknowledge this and are implementing wellness initiatives and other programs to assist nurses in managing stress related to their jobs. If the stress becomes unbearable, exploring alternative career options for nurses might be beneficial.
Each nurse is unique: some excel in high-pressure environments, while others may prefer to avoid them. To help anticipate the working conditions associated with various nursing roles, we’ve compiled a list of the most stressful nursing jobs.
**Most stressful nursing specialties**
**Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses** The ICU is a particularly high-pressure setting. ICU nurses are often required to make quick decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. These nurses frequently encounter ethical challenges and unfavorable patient outcomes, which can be frustrating. It’s understandable why burnout is so prevalent among ICU nurses.
**Emergency room nurses** ER nurses experience stress levels akin to those of first responders. Every patient entering the ER is an unknown. The fast-paced nature of this job can be thrilling, but it can also be highly stressful depending on the nurse’s disposition, experience, and the patient’s condition. During busy shifts, ER nurses may spend the entire time on their feet, unable to take breaks. They interact with a diverse range of patients and families, many of whom may be emotional or anxious, sometimes treating nurses with frustration or disrespect. This stress is compounded by non-patient-related duties and the lack of closure from transitioning patients to other departments.
**Neonatal ICU nurses** Neonatal ICU nurses care for premature infants or those with low birth weight, congenital disabilities, infections, or heart problems. Watching these tiny patients struggle can be tough on NICU nurses and the parents. NICU patients may develop complications suddenly, demanding significant resilience from nurses as they perform their duties and provide emotional support. Yet, the stress is offset by the joy of seeing NICU babies recover and go home with their families.
**Operating room nurses** OR nurses work closely with patients, surgeons, and techs to ensure quality care during surgeries. They often work long hours due to demanding surgeries or physician requirements, spending much time on their feet. This role requires patience and strong emotional intelligence.
**Oncology nurses** Oncology nurses develop close bonds with cancer patients, witnessing their struggles and sometimes losing them to the disease. They also face personal health risks from handling chemotherapy drugs.
**Psychiatric nurses** Psychiatric nursing is more complex than many assume. These nurses interact with patients with severe mental illnesses, often at risk of being attacked verbally or physically. Nearly all nurses have faced verbal abuse, and over half have experienced physical violence, with psychiatric nurses at higher risk than others.
**Final thoughts on stressful nursing jobs** Determining the most stressful nursing jobs is subjective – what one nurse finds intolerable, another may find exhilarating. While the roles listed have stress-inducing aspects, they also offer rewarding experiences.
