Mental Health Nurses' Experiences of Self-Care in Daily Practice: A Qualitative Study

In mental health nursing, nurses utilise their own personality and skills to create and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients. In such relationships, they come close to patients, show empathy, and hold patients' emotional distress. Nursing in mental healthcare involves many emotionally challenging situations and is strenuous work. These demands can lead to high stress levels and feelings of inadequacy, which may negatively impact nurses' quality of life and job satisfaction. Self-care is essential for mental health nurses to manage stress and maintain their well-being. Despite its importance, there is only limited research on nurses' self-care. This study aims to explore mental health nurses' experiences with self-care in their daily work. A descriptive phenomenological design was employed, and thematic analysis was conducted on data gathered from 1 focus group interview involving 4 mental health nurses working in acute mental health wards at 4 hospitals in central Eastern Norway. The theme maturing into self-care is a process, was based on 2 sub-themes: becoming aware of self and learning to set boundaries for self. The theme dealing with self-care is challenging, was based on 3 sub-themes: distinguishing between work and leisure, balancing between own needs and those of others, and venting emotional pressure. Mental health nursing is emotionally demanding, affecting mental health nurses' quality of care and their own well-being. To sustain their ability to support others, formal structures must be in place to ease emotional burdens over time, creating a work environment where self-care is essential.