Are you a registered nurse in Nigeria who is feeling burnt out and stressed out in the traditional hospital setting?
You’re not alone! Many nurses are looking for a work-life balance and a work environment that is more enjoyable and fulfilling, and ultimately leads to less burnout.
While you may picture a busy nurse on a hospital ward when you think of a nurse, the reality is that nursing is an incredibly diverse profession where there are many specialties that provide lower levels of stress.
This article aims to provide 15 of the least stressful nursing jobs in Nigeria, which will serve as a guideline for nursing jobs that offer a peaceful work environment, working predictable hours, and a competitive salary.
There are low-stress nursing job opportunities in endeavors that are best suited for experienced nurses, but often have low-stress nursing jobs available for new grads as well – from corporate nursing to public health or academia.
Table of contents
- Searching for Low-Stress Nursing Jobs
- 15 Low-Stress Nursing Jobs In Nigeria
- 1. Occupational Health Nurse (Company Nurse)
- 2. School Nurse
- 3. Public Health Nurse
- 4. Educator of Nurses
- 5. Nurse Researcher
- 6. Case Management Nurse
- 7. Telehealth Nurse
- 8. Hospice Care Nurse
- 9. Clinic Nurse
- 10. Nurse Administrator
- 11. Informatics Nurse
- 12. Aesthetics Nurse
- 13. Nurse Anesthetist
- 14. Informatics Nurse
- 15. Vaccine Nurse
- What Makes Nursing Jobs So Stressful?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
- Recommendations
Searching for Low-Stress Nursing Jobs
Working in an emergency department or a critical care area can put considerable pressure on nurses and nursing staff members.
The high-stress work environment, unpredictability, long hours, and emotional factors lead many nurses to look elsewhere.
The trend of an increase in low-stress nursing jobs in Nigeria is related to nurses becoming more aware of their physical and mental well-being.
Low-stress jobs usually have a focus on education, administration, or specialty functions as opposed to direct, hands-on patient care.
15 Low-Stress Nursing Jobs In Nigeria
Here are several of the best low-stress nursing jobs in Nigeria:
1. Occupational Health Nurse (Company Nurse)
First on our list of low-stress nursing jobs in Nigeria is Occupational Health Nurse. An occupational health nurse is a high-demand nursing profession that has an equally high salary.
An occupational health nurse is a nurse who provides nursing services within a company or organization while working on-site.
This often includes minor injury care, health screenings, first aid services, and wellness programs. Most often, these services are provided from a clinic or office with working schedules of 9 to 5 (i.e. regular hours).
Why it is low-stress:
- Regular hours.
- Less unpredictability with emergencies and pressure situations.
- Effectively functioning in preventative care instead of critical care.
- Higher compensation is being offered by large corporations, and with more experience.
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2. School Nurse
Next on our top list of low-stress nursing jobs in Nigeria is School nurse. This job is perfect for you if you enjoy working with children.
School nurses will provide some basic first aid or will provide hands-on care to children with chronic stable health conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, for example, during school hours.
Also, they provide a support role for delivering medications for children with chronic health concerns. In some cases, school nurses may also fulfill the role of an educator on health topics for with students and staff.
Why it is low-stress:
- You will work school hours, the school calendar, weekends, public holidays, and during long breaks
- A school nurse’s role will provide routine care, and you may never or rarely provide any vital emergency care.
- You will have a high rate of job satisfaction supporting the health and well-being of younger people.
3. Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses will serve in communities to support health promotion through prevention health, or public health programs. Public health nurses work for government agencies, local health departments, or not-for-profit community organizations.
Public health nurses’ care is geared toward health education, prevention of disease, and health screenings.
Why it is low-stress:
- Very little patient care and emergencies.
- Public health nurse focuses more on health outcomes from a population level instead of individuals; many find it rewarding.
- Often a predictable work day with no nights.
4. Educator of Nurses
If you love education, a move to a nurse educator is a safe choice. Educators of nurses will train and mentor future generations of nurses in either classrooms or clinical environments. Nurse educators conduct lectures, build curricula, and supervise student nurses.
Why it is low-stress:
- You will not work with patients one-on-one.
- You will be in a relatively stable and academic environment.
- It is a good position for experienced nurses who want to share their knowledge without the physical rigor required of a nurse working directly with patients.
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5. Nurse Researcher
If you are an observant and scientific person, the job of a nurse researcher is also a great move. Nurse researchers engage in clinical trials or studies, observing patient data, administering treatment, and following protocols. This is also a low-stress job for new nurses interested in science.
Why it is low-stress:
- Work is project-based and usually remains within a normal workday.
- You will neither work in emergencies nor be engaged in excessive physical work.
- Be a contributing member of advances in medical science.
6. Case Management Nurse
Nurses in case management coordinate the health care of complex or long-term patients. They collaborate with families, patients, and providers to develop care plans, coordinate resources and services, and monitor patient transition and continuity of care. This role relies less on any hands-on care and more on strategic care coordination.
Why it is referred to as low-stress:
- It is predominantly an administrative/communication-based role.
- Hours can be predictable, mostly in an office environment.
- Functionally focuses on the well-being of patients over the long haul.
7. Telehealth Nurse
Due to the growing digital health field, telehealth nursing is now common. Telehealth nurses offer services to patients via phone, email, or video. Nurses will assess, provide triage and recommendations, and educate patients on conditions and treatment.
Why it is referred to as low-stress:
- More often than not, you will work from home, adding some flexibility to the schedule.
- No physical demands or potential to be exposed to illness or infection.
- Patient and/or family interactions are non-emergent.
8. Hospice Care Nurse
Hospice nurses provide comfort and emotional support to patients in the last few months of their lives. With a focus on pain management and quality of life rather than cure, hospice care, while emotionally draining, tends to be less chaotic, and the pace is relaxed.
Why it’s low-stress:
- The environment is often a patient’s residence or a hospice facility, rather than chaotic hospital settings.
- There are fewer medical interventions involved, while more emphasis is placed on compassionate care.
- It can be an enriching experience.
9. Clinic Nurse
Although still an active role, working in a private clinic or outpatient setting is much less stressful than a setting in a hospital setting. Clinic nurses see patients for routine check-ups, immunizations, and minor procedures.
Why it’s low-stress:
- The typical is a standard day shift, with no on-call or weekends.
- Patients are seen in a scheduled manner, and there is rarely a life-threatening emergency.
10. Nurse Administrator
For nurses with administration skills, administration can be very rewarding. Nurse administrators are responsible for an organization’s nursing staff, work with budgets, and ensure quality care is being provided to patients.
This is perfect for those who would want to have an impact on health care without having patient contact as a nurse.
Why it’s low-stress:
- Primarily an office-based, management role.
- Regular hours and a structured work environment.
- High earning potential.
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11. Informatics Nurse
If you’re a nurse who enjoys technology, then informatics nursing would be a unique career path for you. Informatics nurses use technology and data to improve patient workflow and/or patient care.
Informatics nurses work with electronic health records, data analysis of patient care, and/or write software. Informatics nurses often work in an office setting.
Why it’s low-stress:
- No direct patient care or physical strain.
- Combines clinical knowledge with IT skills.
- Regular business hours.
12. Aesthetics Nurse
If you have an interest in aesthetic procedures, becoming an aesthetic nurse could be a good fit for you. Aesthetic nurses work in clinics that offer aesthetic services like Botox injections, laser treatments, and chemical peels. Aesthetics is a clean work environment, usually healthy patients, and elective work.
Why Aesthetic Nursing is Low-Stress
- Patients are typically not acutely ill.
- Patients come in for appointments so you know when they will arrive and leave. You don’t have the unpredictability of inpatient nurse scheduling at a hospital.
- Creativity, aesthetics, and patient comfort and satisfaction are central to the role.
13. Nurse Anesthetist
While this job requires significant advanced education, once you have done the training and have placement as a nurse anesthetist, it is one of the least stressful nursing jobs.
Nurse anesthetists are highly trained nurses who administer anesthesia and monitor patients while they are under anesthesia for surgeries. Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses with specialty capabilities and work in highly controlled, consistent environments.
Why Nurse Anesthetist is Low-Stress
- Highly specialized role, clear protocols.
- Work in a controlled operating room environment.
- Higher salary.
14. Informatics Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) who operate in the nexus of nursing and technology are known as informatics nurses.
A nursing specialty that combines expertise in computer science, information science, nursing, and communications is called nursing informatics.
Nursing informaticists can work for a big electronic medical record firm or in a hospital as IT support staff. In any case, they don’t deal with patients directly, which lessens the strain.
Because most major healthcare organizations have round-the-clock coverage, your hours may be long, but you will spend much of your time sitting at a computer rather than moving.
15. Vaccine Nurse
Finally on our list of less-stress nursing jobs in Nigeria is vaccine nurse. Vaccine nurses are in charge of giving both adult and pediatric patients their immunizations.
This could include immunizations against COVID-19, TDap, the flu, and/or hepatitis. The particular vaccinations required will depend on where you work.
Why Nurse Vaccine Nurse is Low-Stress:
Only vaccine nurses are in charge of giving vaccinations and accurately recording their delivery. Overall, giving vaccinations is relatively simple and causes very little stress, though the hours may differ depending on the region.
To become a vaccine nurse, you must be a graduate with a BSN or an ADN from an accredited nursing program, pass the NCLEX exam and have at least 2 years of nursing experience.
What Makes Nursing Jobs So Stressful?
Nursing is generally considered one of the most highly stressful occupations in the world-and perhaps for good reasons. Let’s break down some of the main reasons for high stress in nursing:
1. High Stakes with Life-or-Death Outcomes.
Unlike most jobs, the decisions and actions of a nurse can create the immediate, life-or-death outcome for patients.
The pressure to be perfect and flawless seems to create a continuous baseline of stress in critical care settings, such as the emergency department and intensive care unit. The fear of harm resulting from an unintentional error, even a minor one, looms large.
2. Physical and Mental Workload
Nursing is an extremely physically demanding job. Nurses might be on their feet for long shifts, often 12 hours, and their duties can include heavy lifting, bending, and hustle.
3. Emotional and Psychological Non-Stop
Nurses are in the frontline of human suffering. Physicians, patients, and families will forever deal with trauma, illness, death (the death of a child is the most painful), and dying families. This experience brings questions about meaning, futility and the rapture of life.
4. Systemic Problems
Systemic problems related to the healthcare delivery system only exacerbate these challenges. Staffing issues, long and unpredictable hours, lack of support, and workplace violence are some of the issues plaguing nurses.
Conclusion
Within Nigeria, the nursing profession continues to transform, bringing possibilities for a more equitable and less stressful career. Whether you are a nurse with experience who is looking to shift careers or a new graduate who is determining your choices, a pathway exists for you.
From corporate clinics and offshore rigs to public health and academia, the fifteen happiest nursing jobs enumerated offer the ability to continue your vocation as a nurse with no sacrifice, without compromise to your well-being.
We believe that, in returning to the discussion regarding consideration of roles, such Adjustments will lead you to a rewarding role in your career that consideration in relation to opportunity is worth considering for an introduction to various nursing roles consistent with personal needs and professional goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, some of the jobs, like school nursing, clinic nursing, and some public health or research, will offer new graduates excellent opportunities for low-stress nursing jobs, to round out their skills in a less high-performance role.
Yes. There are many low-stress jobs. For example, you could be an occupational health nurse, research nurse, and of course, nursing jobs in the NNPC Nigeria and other oil companies, which pay better than hospitals.
The least stressful job is relative, but most nurses would agree that roles with a schedule and little to no emergency care would be the least stressful, such as a school nurse or a company nurse.
The salary will vary based on position. As an example, a school nurse would make much less than a company nurse at a multinational oil company, but they would share the same lifestyle benefit of not working in a hospital.
References
- Nursejournal.org- Low anxiety nursing jobs
- Nurse.org-Easiest nursing jobs
- Nightingale.edu –Least-stressful-nursing-jobs
