In my experience, nursing students often have an intense drive, intelligence, curiosity, and resilience to get them through the two years of the specialty courses in our BSN program. But sometimes the strain of the many demands and new experiences can be overwhelming, and over the years I have had numerous students come to my office for reassuring words and a safe space to reveal their struggles.

Amidst the rigors of nursing school (and their nursing careers to come), it’s important that students find a way to balance studying with self-care. We all wear masks in our lives; in fact, they are essential. Here are some of the masks that I’ve noticed students adopt when they feel particularly under pressure.

Always smiling.

When I was a student almost 20 years ago, I was stressed more days than I was happy. While everyone has a different temperament, I know I was not alone in this. As an educator, I’ve noticed that some students seem to be always smiling, as if the smile is frozen on their faces. There are some real advantages to friendly, caring smiles from a nurse, in that they can help build rapport with patients who are in a vulnerable position. But in some cases, by always smiling, the students may be trying to live up to an expectation they think others have for them. Under the bluff of the mask, the individual might be feeling overwhelmed by practical challenges while struggling with strong emotions they don’t know how to acknowledge or name.

Concerned.

Some students, on the other hand, always look concerned or worried. The look is a cross between a scowl and deep concentration. While it is important to be focused on the many new things they are learning, it is also important for students (and their teachers) to check in with themselves from time to time, to notice the tensions in their face and body, learn to take a deep breath in the midst of all the activity and demands.

We are very good at teaching skills like critical thinking. While a caring and concerned quality is at the core of nursing practice, we may also need to teach our students to become introspective about their own vulnerability if they are going to be able to give of the caring self to others. If we see that a student consistently has a concerned look on their face, it may be a good idea to take a minute to ask them if everything is okay. Let them share with you any negative thoughts or fears they may be experiencing. Clear the air, so to speak, and move forward with positivity.

I am fine.

Photo by Emma Simpson/Unsplash

This mask is the facial expression that contradicts the student’s words when she tells you, “I am fine.” The expression may be one of gloominess or flatness. I always teach my first-semester students that when they are doing a patient assessment, make sure that the patient’s verbal and body language are congruent. The same goes for our students. Does the normally peppy student seem off in a way that’s concerning? Is the quiet student who is keeping their head down even quieter than normal? Are their grades in a slow decline, yet they tell you they are okay?

This is the student I invite to my office for a chat. Sometimes I ask if anything is going on in their personal life that could be affecting them in school. I ask if they are having trouble in a particular class, or all classes equally. I have had past students who were so consumed with the work they needed to do in another class that they did not have enough time or energy left to devote to getting work completed in my class. I work with the individual to set a plan of action. I then follow up with them the next week to review how the changes are helping, or not, and to determine if additional changes need to be put into place.

A little attention goes a long way.

Not all students need or want help like this. Nor are all facial expressions a matter of comment. People are all different, and different styles are just fine. But today’s students face particular stresses, and noticing when one of them might need a little help in reorienting themself may make a difference at a crucial point in their nursing school years.

Lenore Cortez, MSN, RNC, is a clinical senior instructor of nursing at Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas. She also writes a mental health blog called Chocolates and Tissues.