Staffing shortages are an all-too-common reality in healthcare. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests there will be nearly 200,000 thousand nursing job openings between 2023 and 2033. In line with those projections, it’s clear that working on a short-staffed unit can result in a lot of anxiety for new nurses.
You may find yourself juggling a busy patient assignment or being asked to navigate a heavier workload than it seems like one person can handle — all while trying to build your confidence and skills as a new grad.
Though this sounds overwhelming, the good news is with the right approach to your new role, you can thrive in any kind of unit-staffing situation. In this guide, you’ll find practical tips specifically for new nurses to help you manage your workload and provide excellent care.
1. Prioritize Effectively
As a new nurse, trying to keep up with endless tasks on your to-do list can feel like treading water. You have to juggle giving meds, patient assessment, and communicating with the provider — all while somehow finding time to chart. When you feel like there’s no one available to help or you’re bogged down with a busy assignment because of a staff shortage, prioritization is your best friend.
Take a moment at the start of your shift to gain clarity. Which patients have the most urgent health concerns? What times are medications due? When do you need to monitor vitals or re-perform an assessment? Writing a few of these key points down can make it easier to map out your shift.
Remember that patient safety always comes first, so put those tasks at the top of your list. It’s okay to defer non-critical activities such as restocking supplies or delivering patient education until you’ve ensured your patients are safe and stable.
Learning to prioritize effectively comes with time, so don’t be discouraged if you find yourself making incorrect judgments at first. As your nursing knowledge and confidence grow, you’ll make better decisions about which tasks should come first and which ones can wait.
2. Be a Great Communicator
Short staffing can leave everyone feeling stressed. Unfortunately, this means communication is a common casualty when teams are stretched thin. For all nurses, but especially new grads, strong communication is essential.
It starts at the beginning of your shift. Be sure to engage in a thorough handoff with the outgoing nurse, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about patient priorities or safety concerns. Doing so makes your life easier for the rest of the shift. As you go through your day, stay connected to your charge nurse or mentor. If you feel overwhelmed, they can help you address the obstacles you’re facing.
You should also practice excellent patient communication. Non-urgent tasks like refilling water cups or routine linen changes often get delayed when your unit is short-staffed. Be upfront with your patients and explain that you’ll do your best to help make them comfortable. Even if you do get behind, most people have patience when they know you’re juggling a lot of responsibilities but still value their care.
3. Practice Your Teamwork Skills
Teamwork is the backbone of nursing, and it becomes even more essential during staffing shortages. As a new nurse, embracing a collaborative mindset will help you more effectively manage your workload. Begin by understanding your role on the team and stepping up when you’re needed.
Whether it’s repositioning a patient or assisting with a procedure, having an extra set of hands available can make a huge difference. You’ll quickly earn respect by contributing to the unit and helping your fellow nurses whenever you can. Likewise, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Remember, effective teamwork depends on communication. When everyone works together, the whole unit functions more smoothly, and even small acts of support can improve everyone’s attitude.
4. Never Stop Learning
Keeping up with your education can feel like a distant goal when you’re fighting the daily battles that come with working on a short-staffed unit, However, it’s important to never lose sight of being a lifelong learner. Investing in your professional development can help you adapt more easily to challenges and gain valuable skills that increase your confidence.
Staffing shortages also offer many opportunities for on-the-fly learning. When resources are low, you may find yourself managing extra tasks or caring for patient populations that are new to you. Treat these moments as valuable learning experiences and ask questions along the way. You never know when you might learn something that will help down the road.
You can also seek out training that specifically addresses the challenges of low staffing such as time management workshops or stress management programs. Embracing continuous learning during challenging times will make you an even stronger nurse.
5. Advocate for Better Staffing
Just because your unit is currently short-staffed doesn’t mean it needs to stay that way. Advocating for better conditions—both for you and your patients—is vital. Though voicing your concerns as a new nurse can be intimidating, you should still speak with your charge nurse or supervisor and bring up issues as you see them.
Examples of specific times when high nurse-to-patient ratios affected care quality or patient outcomes can help illustrate the need for change. You can also propose potential solutions like revising patient assignments or adjusting unit protocols for staffing.
Remember, advocacy isn’t just about pointing out problems. Joining committees focused on staffing or workflow efficiency can make you part of the solution. Although signing up for a committee as a new grad can be scary, doing so is a great way to find your voice and speak up in a way that impacts positive change.
6. Don’t Be Afraid of Floating
For many new nurses, the idea of floating to an unfamiliar unit is incredibly intimidating. However, floating is common during staff shortages. You may be asked to work a shift on a unit where you’ve never been trained or with unfamiliar patient populations.
It’s normal to feel uneasy when faced with this challenge. However, try to view floating as an opportunity to expand your skillset. Before heading to a new unit, take a moment to review its policies and ask nurses who work there about key differences in workflows. They know you’re in an unfamiliar environment and are often willing to help however they can.
Remember, your core nursing skills — communication, prioritization, patient care — are always applicable no matter where you’re assigned. Although floating can feel overwhelming, embracing the experience makes you a more confident, capable nurse in the long run.
7. Don’t Forget Self-Care
Nursing is incredibly demanding, and the pressure can take a serious toll on your health during a staffing shortage. Practicing self-care is essential to prevent burnout and ensure you can deliver great care to all your patients.
During your shift, find moments to take a break and reset. Though it can be tough to squeeze in a full lunch break, staying hydrated and eating during your shift makes a huge difference in how you feel. You’ll be a more effective nurse when you fuel your body and mind, so don’t neglect taking time to eat or drink. When time is tight, even a few intentional deep breaths between seeing patients can provide a sense of calm and focus.
Outside of work, pursue activities you find restorative. Whether it’s exercising, reading a book, or spending time with friends, it’s important to make time for yourself.
Setting boundaries is also essential, and you should consider your self-care time sacred. A short-staffed unit will almost always need people to pick up extra shifts. While doing so occasionally is okay, be sure that adding overtime doesn’t come at the cost of your self-care time.
8. Use Your Resources
No matter how bad a staffing shortage gets, you’re never alone. Most healthcare facilities offer resources to help nurses and other staff members manage the challenges they face at work. For instance, employee assistance programs may provide free or low-cost counseling and stress management support.
Peer support groups, whether formal or informal, can be a source of encouragement and practical advice from nurses who understand what you’re going through. If you want to get connected with these resources, reach out to an experienced nurse on your unit or talk to your facility’s HR department.
Knowing when and how to ask for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Although you might not be able to eliminate the challenges of working on a short-staffed unit, utilizing your resources can make a meaningful difference in how you handle the stress.
