5 Least Stressful Nursing Jobs in the Healthcare Field

Even in the least stressful nursing jobs, you still need ways to relax and keep calm.

Because of its fast-paced and emotional nature, the nursing profession comes with stress that can take a toll on you, both mentally and physically.

The fact is, every nursing speciality comes with some level of stress. Some are much higher than others, so choosing the right speciality for you is key to maintaining low levels of stress.

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

First, let’s start with this list of specialities that are considered to be low-stress.

Least Stressful Jobs in Nursing

It’s no secret that working in the healthcare field requires tough skin. Nurses encounter people in their most vulnerable state and must support their patients through difficult periods of time.

Some specialities allow nurses to work in low-stress environments but it’s important to remember that even the least stressful nursing job comes with challenges.

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 specialities:

1. Resort, Cruise or Air Travel Nurse

Working “on vacation” is just about as glamorous as it sounds. Resorts, cruise ships and even some airlines need nurses on staff to tend to their guests.

Taking a job in this field all but ensures you’ll be working in a clinic setting, treating minor injuries. This certainly helps keep stress levels low, as the severity of injuries is rarely ever life-threatening.

Because you’ll encounter a variety of cultures in this profession, it’s important to have a high level of cultural competency.

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 stress of working in a hospital setting is not for you, consider becoming a school or camp nurse.

In this speciality, nurses work with children regularly ensuring their health while not in the care of their parents. This is a very important job!

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

School nurses play an important role in the school ecosystem. According to the National Association of School Nurses, they “lead in the development of policies, programs, and procedures for the provision of school health services at an individual or district level relying on student-centered, evidence-based practice and performance data to inform care.”

This profession may not be highly stressful, but it is highly important.

3. Public Health Nurse

Making a mark in your community is just part of the job when you choose to become a nurse. The rewarding experience is amplified for those who choose to become a 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

With a focus on the issues facing their immediate community, Public Health Nurses enjoy one of the least stressful nursing jobs, since working with patients is only a small part of the job. They 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, one of the least stressful hospital nursing jobs is a Nurse Administrator.

These nurses do not work directly with patients, all but removing that high-stress component associated with many nursing specialties.

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

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

5. Nurse Educator

Nurse Educators are crucial for the nursing profession. These professionals are registered nurses who have also either a Master’s or Doctorate focused on advanced education, like advanced clinical training in a healthcare specialty for example.

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.

While any educator will tell you there is stress associated with the job, the reward certainly outweighs it. [clickToTweet tweet=”Nurse Educators enjoy the fulfillment of knowing their students will save lives #nursing #rn” quote=”Nurse Educators enjoy the fulfillment of knowing their students will save lives. “]

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 you know about some of the least stressful nursing jobs, let’s go over ways to de-stress, no matter what your speciality is!

Overcoming Nurse Stress and Burnout

It’s common knowledge that stress has a tangible impact on your health. According to the American Psychological Association, experiencing stress over a prolonged period can become dangerous.

They note that “Chronic stress may cause disease, either because of changes in your body or the…bad habits people use to cope with stress. Job strain is associated with increased risk of coronary disease, for example.”

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.

If you’re a night nurse, keeping your stress at bay is even more important since your sleep pattern is often affected more severely than those on the day shift.

Sleep plays a huge role in our ability to combat stress. Getting less than 6 hours per night is a surefire way to bring stress levels up. The lack of sleep results in physical ailments and symptoms of fatigue.

Ensuring you get the amount of sleep your body needs is crucial, and a sleep schedule is the best way to get the sleep you need.

Learn more about creating a sleep schedule here.

A huge part of nursing is helping people with their needs. From patients to colleagues to doctors and family members – someone always needs something from you. This alone is a huge stressor, and learning to say “No” will help you immensely.

Now, of course, you can’t say no when the task is yours to complete. But there will be instances when saying no is actually the right thing to do. For example, if your work schedule is already brimming over, it’s okay to say no when a colleague asks you to pick up a shift.

The physical demands of nursing can also add to stress. It’s proven that only 10 minutes of fitness a day can improve your mood and lower stress.

Here are some quick and easy exercises you can do during slower times in your shift:

15 wall squats
30-second plank
20 knee raises

You have to keep a keep focus on your stress levels so that you can be in top shape to care for your patients.

Conclusion

If you’re seeking a highly important nursing role that has a low stress-factor, consider these five specialties:

Travel Nurse/Resort Nurse
School Nurse/Camp Nurse
Public Health Nurse
Nurse Administrator
Home Health aide

If you love the fast pace of the hospital setting, you can still practice techniques to keep stress levels low! Try these:

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.