Decision Fatigue
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou
Decision Fatigue is Real and It Doesn't Have to Ruin Your Life
As a nurse, you're constantly faced with a myriad of decisions, both big and small, throughout your shifts and it doesn't stop when you clock out. In this blog, I'm going to show you how decision fatigue affects your ability to make sound judgments and teach some practical strategies to combat it. From prioritizing tasks to taking regular breaks, find out how you can protect your mental energy and enhance your decision-making skills for better patient care and a more satisfying home life.
Understanding Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision-making, like a 12 hour nursing shift. It's a cognitive phenomenon characterized by mental exhaustion and reduced self-control, leading to poorer decision-making abilities. In the context of nursing, decision fatigue can manifest as difficulty prioritizing tasks, increased impulsivity, and a tendency to rely on shortcuts rather than thorough analysis. It shows up in your home life in the same way: difficulty prioritizing, increased impulsivity but also becoming emotional fatigue tends to show up as irritability or frustration with family members.
The Impact of Decision Fatigue on Nurses
In the high-stakes environment of healthcare, the consequences of decision fatigue can be significant. You, as a nurse experiencing decision fatigue, may find yourself overwhelmed by the volume of choices you need to make, leading to errors, oversights, and suboptimal outcomes for patients. Moreover, decision fatigue can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being, contributing to stress, burnout, and diminished job satisfaction. It also effects your life outside of work, when you do not have the mental bandwidth to make decisions at home or invest in important relationships.
Strategies to Combat Decision Fatigue
1. Prioritize Tasks: Start your shift (or your day off at home) by identifying the most critical tasks that need to be addressed and prioritize them accordingly. Focus on completing essential duties first before tackling less urgent responsibilities.
2. Use Decision-making Tools: Utilize decision-making tools (like standards of care and hospital protocols) and algorithms provided by your facility or professional organizations to guide your clinical judgments. These resources can serve as valuable aids in complex situations, reducing the cognitive load associated with decision-making. At home, you can create some daily routines, such as meal planning, to remove some "in the moment" decision making situations.
3. Take Regular Breaks: Incorporate regular breaks into your shift to give your mind a chance to rest and recharge. Step away from your work area, engage in brief relaxation techniques, or take a short walk to clear your mind and combat mental fatigue. It may seem like you don't have time to do this but please, for the safety of yourself and your patients -- take breaks!!
4. Limit Decision Fatigue Outside of Work: Recognize that decision fatigue can extend beyond the workplace. Minimize non-essential decisions in your personal life by establishing routines, automating tasks, and delegating responsibilities whenever possible. You don't have to make yourself into a robot but automating simple decisions will free your mind up for more joy and relaxation.
Conclusion
Decision fatigue is a common challenge faced by nurses, but it doesn't have to dictate the quality of your decisions or your well-being. By understanding the impact of decision fatigue and implementing practical strategies to mitigate its effects, you can protect your mental energy, enhance your decision-making abilities, and ultimately provide better care for your patients. Remember, prioritizing self-care and managing mental fatigue are essential components of maintaining excellence in nursing practice.
