Stress reduction
Sep 11, 2025
π‘οΈ Resilience in the Operating Room: Strategies for Stress Reduction
Perioperative nurses operate in one of the most high-pressure, technologically intense environments in healthcare, often facing heavy workloads, interpersonal tension, rapidly changing situations, and concerns about patient safety; all contributing to elevated stress levels. Workplace bullying is also prevalent with over 60% of perioperative nurses reporting bullying, which is strongly linked with burnout, anxiety, exhaustion, and reduced resilience. Addressing stress is therefore essential for maintaining both personal wellbeing and patient safety.
πΉ Personal Strategies that can help to reduce stress include:
- π§ Self care routines
- π§ Mindfulness
- π¬οΈ Breathing exercises
- βοΈ Journaling
- βΈοΈ “Micro-breaks” during shifts
- ποΈ Physical activity
- π€ Sleep hygiene
- π¦ Professional boundary setting
- π Reflective practice
- π₯ Access professional supervision or mentoring
Building peer networks inside and outside the workplace is another important protective factor. Informal debriefing with colleagues, participation in professional associations, and connecting with peers at conferences or workshops can normalise experiences and strengthen coping. Accessing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for confidential counselling further supports psychological health.
πΉ Team and Organisational Strategies
Nurse managers can foster resilience by promoting team-building, peer support, and ongoing professional education. For nurse educators, embedding compassion fatigue awareness and self care education into the nursing curriculum and practice standards reinforces the importance of mental wellbeing across a career.
Reducing bullying through policies that ensure psychosocial safety is critical for both individual nurses and organisational culture. Structured onboarding programs such as transition to speciality practice (TSP) programs offer foundational support for new staff, easing transition and lowering stress.
Supporting stress reduction in perioperative nursing requires both personal commitment and systemic change. By adopting individual self care practices, seeking peer and professional support, and engaging in reflective strategies, nurses can strengthen their resilience in demanding clinical environments. At the same time, organisational initiatives such as bullying prevention, structured onboarding, and adherence to ACORN standards are vital to foster a culture of safety and well-being. Together, these approaches not only protect the health of perioperative nurses but also enhance the quality and safety of patient care.
Build Knowledge β
Improve Safety β
References:
Australian College of Perioperative Nurses, & colleagues. (2023). Addressing burnout and compassion fatigue in perioperative nursing: An urgent call to action. [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371053315_Addressing_burnout_and_compassion_fatigue_in_perioperative_nursing_An_urgent_call_to_action
Lang, M., Jones, L., Harvey, C., & Munday, J. (2021). Workplace bullying, burnout and resilience amongst perioperative nurses in Australia: A descriptive correlational study. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(6), 1502–1513. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13437
Schroeder, M., & Worrall-Carter, L. (2002). Perioperative managers: Role stressors and strategies for coping. Contemporary Nurse, 13(2), 229–238. Sydney, NSW: John Libbey and Company Pty Ltd.
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