Wellness in the Workplace

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A well anesthesia professional is one who uses healthy, adaptive coping strategies to combat stress and fatigue at work and home.

At work, a healthy fit-for-duty CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist is integral to providing safe patient care. See below for healthy workplace tools and resources to handle disruptive behavior, impaired colleagues, adverse events and career transitions tips to be safe, manage stress, avoid burnout, think positively, advocate for a well workplace, and get involved.

The resources below focus exclusively on ways to identify and combat unhealthy behaviors at work and how to take care of your wellness—and the wellbeing of your colleagues.

Workplace Wellness Resources

Bullying, Disruptive Behavior, and Workplace Civility

Bullying is a costly workplace harassment leading to negative emotional and physical health. Bullying victims may experience emotional repercussions, such as anxiety, depression, and leading to potential substance abuse. Physical symptoms may include increased sickness, nausea, headaches, and insomnia.

These physical and emotional symptoms in nurses can lead to reduced professional competence, increased absence from work, and development of learned behavior that the bully culture is just “part of the job.” In a 2014 study, over 50% of nurses experienced verbal abuse within the previous year. This speaks to the fact that “60% of new RNs who quit their first job in nursing within 6 months report that it is because of being bullied.” Turnover costs to each hospital are estimated to be $4.4 to $7 million/year.

AANA Resources

AANA Journal

External Resources

State Wellness

There are many ways to support the personal well-being of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and RRNAs close to where they live and work.

What are the benefits of promoting wellness:

  • Adds variety and networking opportunities
  • Helps encourage healthy behaviors
  • Provides awareness of the occupational risk of substance use disorder (SUD)
  • Informs members of available AANA Wellness resources for assisting CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and RRNAs in practicing holistic well-being

Become a Member of the Wellness Ambassador Network

The AANA Wellness Ambassador Network (WAN) is a community of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and Residents passionate about provider holistic well-being. This network has demonstrated their expertise by completing the WAN Micro-credential which provided them with high-quality professional development, training, and guidance in their role. Visit the Wellness Ambassador Network page to learn more.

Create a Wellness Exhibit

  • Always include a state wellness committee member in any wellness or substance use disorder exhibit or lecture during a state association meeting so attendees know where to get help.
  • Get ideas from Take it to Your State (PDF), written by Peer Assistance Panel member Bridget Petrillo, APRN, CRNA.
  • Recruit local residents or CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists who work together, to help organize or “staff” the table; a great learning experience and intro to getting involved in the state association.

Workplace Handouts, Flyers, and Signs

AANA Resources

External Resources

Access Additional Resources for Workplace and Personal Wellness Support

Adverse Medical Events/Critical Incidents

Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Depression and Suicide

Managing Stress

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

Sleep and Fatigue

Substance Use Disorder

Where to Get Help