Although every nursing specialty comes with stress, you still need ways to relax and keep calm.

We’ve compiled a list below of the five least stressful nursing jobs, as well as a guide for overcoming stress if you choose a high-stress specialty.

Least Stressful Jobs in Nursing

Nurses encounter people in their most vulnerable state and must support their patients through difficult periods of time.

If you’re a natural caregiver but don’t think you’re up for the high-stress environment of the ER or Delivery Ward, for example, consider these specialties:

1. Resort, Cruise or Air Travel Nurse

Resorts, cruise ships and even some airlines need nurses on staff to tend to their guests, which ensures you’ll be working in a clinic setting, treating minor injuries.

Nurses who choose to travel and work in resort settings can expect to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Examine injuries and illnesses for both guests and staff and support the on-site MD
• Provide first aid and taking vitals
• Administer vaccinations if necessary
• Refer patients to other medical establishments if necessary

The opportunity to travel and work with patients in new locations is a big draw for this career path.

2. School Nurse / Camp Nurse

If you want to work with children but know that the hospital setting is not for you, consider becoming a school or camp nurse.

Like travel nurses, most of the effort will be done in a clinic setting, providing basic care. This may include:

• Providing first aid care for minor injuries
• Administering daily medication

As a highly important role, a school nursing job may be right for you.

3. Public Health Nurse

These nurses avoid the stress of a hospital setting while still making a notable impact on a daily basis. Public health nurses can also work in a variety of locations, such as:

• Government departments of health
• Correctional facilities
• School systems
• Corporate businesses

In this nursing career, working with patients is only a small part of the job. Public health nurses also focus on strategic ways to support the public, provide education, and overcome health-related problems in their communities.

4. Nursing Administrator

If you definitely want to work in a hospital environment, a Nurse Administrator isn’t as demanding as other positions because they do not work directly with patients.

Nurse Administrators take on a more operational role, fulfilling responsibilities like:

• Organizing patient and employee records
• Planning and coordinating medical and healthcare services
• Directing nursing staff on things like scheduling and billing
• Understanding healthcare laws and regulations

They can also work outside of hospitals in environments like nursing homes or group medical practices.

5. Nurse Educator

Nurse Educators are registered nurses who have also either a Master’s or Doctorate focused on advanced education.

These professionals work in a variety of locations, including:

• In colleges and universities
• In hospital-based schools of nursing or technical schools
• As staff development educators in healthcare facilities

By combining their strong passion for teaching and their clinical expertise in the nursing field, Nurse Educators shape students into nurses. Incoming nurses are mentored by Nurse Educators who take a special interest in helping them grow, oftentimes serving as mentors and role models.

Additional responsibilities for Nurse Educators include:

• Creating and implementing academic and continuing education programs for nurses
• Advising students and providing the leadership needed to implement evidence-based practice.
• Assuring quality educational experiences and documenting outcomes
• Engaging in scholarly work (e.g., research) and participating in professional associations
• Writing grant proposals

Now that we’ve covered these positions, let’s go over ways to de-stress.

Overcoming Nurse Stress and Burnout

Nurses know that job stress definitely exists. Due to things like long hours, emotional tolls and unpredictability, practicing techniques to de-stress are crucial.

Avoid burnout with a few simple tips:

• Leave work at work by consciously choosing to turn off “nurse brain” when you exit your workplace.
• Practice calming breathing techniques in stressful situations when you cannot remove yourself.
• Take advantage of break times by distracting yourself from the stresses of work.
• Create a calm, comfortable home setting.
• Rely on co-workers/friends when you need them.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Learn to say “no.”
• Exercise daily.

These may be small tasks, but they make all the difference. You have to keep a keep focus on your stress levels so that you can be in top shape to care for your patients.

Your Health Comes First

If you’re passionate about being a nurse but want to ensure your job doesn’t take a toll on you, that’s OK – your health comes first! Fortunately, this field offers flexible career options.

Which one of these jobs interest you?