Self Care in Nursing
As student nurses, we’re taught to prioritise patients, show compassion, stay professional, and “keep going no matter what.” But what happens when we’re pouring from an empty teapot? What happens when we’ve skipped meals, cried in the hospital toilets, and still show up for every shift, holding everything in?
Let’s be honest — nursing can break you if you’re not careful.
The truth is, self care in nursing isn’t optional anymore — it’s essential. And if we don’t talk about it openly, we risk losing not just ourselves, but the very compassion that brought us into this profession in the first place.
See Also:
Burnout In Nursing: 10 Signs You’re Not Just Tired
This post shows the real struggles student nurses face, spoken honestly from someone who’s seen it, been there, and is still nursing. Nursing is not as glamorous a profession as the rest of the world thinks.
Behind every shift are skipped breaks, emotional exhaustion, self-doubt, and the constant pressure to hold it all together — even when you’re falling apart inside.
This isn’t just a career; it’s a calling that can take everything from you if you’re not careful. That’s why now, more than ever, self-care isn’t selfish — it’s survival.
The Hidden Cost of Caring for Others
From the outside, nursing looks like a steady stream of care plans, vitals, and polite smiles. But underneath? There’s the anxiety that comes with constantly being watched, assessed, or second-guessing yourself. There’s the emotional fatigue after breaking bad news or witnessing grief you’re not trained to carry.
As student nurses, we balance lectures, assignments, placements, jobs, and life — and often feel like we’re failing at all of it. The exhaustion is real. The guilt is constant. And burnout creeps in before we even realise it’s there. Nursing burnout, compassion fatigue, and mental health struggles are at an all-time high — especially for students trying to prove themselves.
Why We Ignore Our Own Needs
Let’s face it: we’re great at looking after everyone but ourselves.
Why? Because the system often rewards self-neglect. We hear things like:
- “That’s just nursing.”
- “Everyone’s tired, keep going.”
- “You’ll get used to it eventually.”
But ignoring your own needs isn’t resilience — it’s a shortcut to burnout. And the longer we pretend we’re okay when we’re not, the more we lose touch with the values that made us become nurses in the first place.
Check out Burnout in Nursing: 10 Signs You’re Not Just Tired to see if burnout is creeping up on you too.
What Self Care in Nursing Really Looks Like
Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and candles (though those are nice too). It’s about protecting your wellbeing like it’s your most important patient. Because it is.
Here’s what self-care actually looks like for student nurses:
- Saying no to extra shifts when your body says stop.
- Taking your break without guilt.
- Speaking up when a placement feels unsafe.
- Journaling after a hard day to process emotions.
- Drinking water, eating properly, and getting some sleep — even if it’s not perfect.
Most importantly, self-care means knowing you matter, too.
I have created a Wellbeing Journal specifically for you, the nurse out there on the floor. To help you protect your peace, track your mindset, and find balance in the madness that is nursing life. Check out my Nursing Wellbeing Journal here!
Transitioning from Survival to Sustainability
Right now, many student nurses are simply trying to survive the course. But we didn’t get into nursing just to survive — we came to make a difference.
The only way to keep that fire burning is to start caring for the one person who’s been there through every shift: you.
Start by checking in with yourself weekly. Reflect on what’s draining you and what’s helping. Protect your peace. Surround yourself with people who lift you, not those who dismiss your needs.
Check out my Student Nurse Weekly Wellbeing Check-In a FREE downloadable tool to help you reflect on your week, reframe challenges, and spot early signs of burnout — before they take over.
Where to get Free, Useful Support
There’s nothing worse than scouring the internet looking for ideas for help and support for your wellbeing as a student nurse and just getting generic student help. Nurse training is in a class of its own. We face things on a daily basis that most other people will face maybe once or twice in a lifetime. Generic ‘sit down and have a cuppa’ is not doing to cut the support and self-care we need to live this life day in day out.
So, I’ve pulled together some wellbeing resources that are specifically tailored to student nurses — places that truly understand what we go through and offer support that actually feels relevant to our world.
Mind – Mental Health Support That Gets It
Mind is one of the UK’s leading mental health charities, offering free, practical support for anyone struggling — including student nurses feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or burnt out.
They offer:
- Confidential mental health advice and helplines
- Guides on coping with stress, burnout, anxiety, and low mood
- Information about your rights at university or placement if you’re struggling with mental health
- Local Mind branches that provide in-person and virtual support groups
What makes Mind especially helpful for student nurses is that their resources acknowledge the real-life pressures of balancing caring for others while caring for yourself. Whether you’re on placement, revising for exams, or just emotionally drained, Mind offers reassurance, tools, and community.
Visit www.mind.org.uk to explore resources or speak to someone who gets it.
Student Minds – A Lifeline for Student Nurses
Student Minds is the UK’s leading student mental health charity, and it’s truly a beacon for anyone navigating the unique pressures of higher education — especially student nurses. Their mission is simple: no student should be held back by their mental health
Here’s how Student Minds can help you:
- Student Space offers free, confidential text, webchat, and phone support — ideal for when placement stress or shift fatigue becomes overwhelming.
- They train student-led peer support groups and workshops on topics like stress, transitions, financial worries, and placement challenges — giving you a safe space to be heard and supported.
- Their “Look After Your Mate” campaigns and guides equip you with practical tools to support friends and colleagues — strengthening community when stress feels isolating.
- They also lead university-wide initiatives like the University Mental Health Charter, pushing for systemic change to better support student mental health. (This may help in your public health module in year 2)
For student nurses, these resources are more than just useful — they’re lifesaving. Whether you need to talk through a tough shift, learn coping skills, or connect with peers who “get it,” Student Minds is a supportive ally on your journey.
Check out Student Minds Student Space (Student Minds – Student Minds) to see how they can help you build resilience, stay connected, and manage the challenges of nursing training with greater confidence.
Every Mind Matters – NHS Self-Care Support That Fits Student Life
Run by the NHS, Every Mind Matters is a free mental health and self-care platform designed to help you build resilience, manage stress, and take control of your mental wellbeing — one small step at a time.
Here’s how it can help student nurses:
- Create your own personalised self-care plan based on how you’re feeling and what you’re struggling with (stress, low mood, sleep, anxiety, etc.)
- Access free audio guides for mindful breathing, body scans, and grounding techniques — perfect for winding down after placement
- Read practical advice for managing exam pressure, sleepless nights, and overthinking
- Gives you trusted tools and apps that fit around your busy schedule.
So, whether you’ve got five minutes before class or need to reset after an emotional shift, Every Mind Matters offers tools that actually work.
Check it out here: www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters
Final Thoughts – You are Worth Looking After
Nursing is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world — but it comes at a cost if you forget to care for yourself.
We can’t pour compassion into others when we’re empty. We can’t advocate for patients if we don’t advocate for ourselves. And we can’t become great nurses if we burn out before we even begin.
So, if no one else has told you this today, remember:
- ‘I’m allowed to rest…’
- ‘I’m allowed to set boundaries…’
- ‘I’m allowed to ask for help…’
- ‘I’m allowed to take care of myself..’
Because supported, well-nourished, emotionally resilient nurses don’t just survive — they thrive. And nursing needs more of those.
So, if you’ve been running on empty, pushing through every shift with a forced smile and aching feet, let this be your reminder: you matter just as much as the people you care for. Nursing is demanding — but your health, your voice, and your needs are not secondary. The world needs brilliant, compassionate nurses, but it doesn’t need them broken. Rest when you need to.
Don’t forget to check out my Nursing Wellbeing Journal and start taking control of your inner peace. The journal that understands nursing.
Download your FREE Weekly Wellbeing Check In to ensure you spot the signs of burnout early.
Why not read my blog post: Burnout in nursing: 10 signs you’re not just tired
