Finding Balance: Letting Go of Guilt in Nursing

 Let's talk about something that's been weighing on my mind lately—guilt. As nurses, we're no strangers to this feeling. Whether it's feeling guilty about taking time off, making mistakes on the job, or not being able to do enough for our patients, guilt has a way of creeping into our lives and clouding our decision-making.

But here's the thing: letting guilt drive our decision-making can seriously impact our well-being. I've seen it firsthand in my own life, and I'm sure many of you have too. When we constantly second-guess ourselves and make decisions out of guilt or fear, our well-being becomes unbalanced.

As nurses, our well-being is crucial not just for ourselves, but for those we care for. We need to show up energized, emotionally engaged, and able to provide compassionate care to those who need it. And that means taking care of ourselves first.

There are six key elements to well-being: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, mental, and environmental. Each of these elements plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health and happiness. But when we let guilt dictate our decisions, these elements can become out of balance.

Physically, we may neglect our own health and end up feeling exhausted and burnt out. Emotionally, we may become overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and inadequacy, leading to increased stress and anxiety. Socially, we may isolate ourselves from loved ones and colleagues, further exacerbating our feelings of guilt. Spiritually, we may feel disconnected from our sense of purpose and meaning in our work. Mentally, we may struggle to focus and make clear decisions, leading to errors and mistakes. And environmentally, we may find ourselves in toxic work environments that only serve to reinforce our feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

But it doesn't have to be this way. We have the power to break free from the grip of guilt and reclaim our well-being. It starts by recognizing when guilt is driving our decisions and consciously choosing to let it go. It means prioritizing self-care and making time for activities that nourish us physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, mentally, and environmentally.

So, fellow nurses, let's make a pact to stop letting guilt dictate our decisions and start prioritizing our well-being. Our patients deserve nurses who are fully present, energized, and emotionally engaged. And most importantly, we deserve it too.

If you're ready to learn more about how to achieve balance and well-being in your life as a nurse, download a copy of the well-being blueprint. Together, let's reclaim our well-being and show up as the best versions of ourselves