Understanding Nursing Workplace Stress
Nursing is rewarding—and incredibly hard. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or unsure how to keep going, you’re not alone. You’re not failing. Stress is a natural response to complex, demanding environments. This space is here to help you understand where your stress is coming from, and what might help—right now and over time.
Let’s name what you’re carrying—so you can start to tame it.
What We Learned - And Why It Matters
We worked with a group of Oregon nurses who reviewed research and shared their lived experience. Through this process, a powerful realization emerged: Not all stressors are the same. Some stress comes from the workplace itself—things that can and should change. Others are part of the work. This resource is here to support both: helping improve systems and offering tools nurses can use now. You deserve both kinds of support. And you’re not alone in this work.
What Kind of Stress Are You Facing?
We found that stress tends to fall into two categories. Knowing which kind you’re facing can help you respond with the right tools—and the right kind of support.
Click below to explore each type and learn how to take action at work, at home, and in your daily routines.
Manageable Stressors
Stressors that are inherent to caregiving professions
Don't Stop Here
Understanding stress is just the beginning. Talk about it. Share this page with someone who needs it. Bring it up at shift change.
Join the conversation during Friday Huddle—or reach out if you want to share your experience or explore what support could look like in your workplace.
