Dilemma for the nurse manager: the stress of caring 'too much'

Nurse managers are prime candidates for caring too much. Caring is an integral part of nursing. The act and art of caring in a relationship is one of the features that distinguishes nursing from other professions. Caring also is a positive trait for managers involved at the institutional level. When the new manager takes a brief case full of work home every night, does not take a vacation, shows up at work on the weekends, and thinks of little else besides the job it is likely that the manager is experiencing the dilemma of caring too much. Being this involved in work responsibilities can have devastating effects on relationships at home as well as at work. It is important for the nurse manager in this situation to initiate strategies that can put work responsibilities back in perspective so that work becomes one of a well-balanced assortment of interests and priorities.