Abstract
The nursing profession, long dominated by women, is shaped by societal norms that encourage selflessness and compliance, leading nurses to prioritize others over their own well-being. This expectation to always say yes, coupled with the demands of various practice settings, contributes to burnout and stress. This presentation advocates for a feminist approach to boundary-setting, offering strategies to help nurses confidently say no, establish healthy boundaries, and maintain a balanced career.
Notes
References:
Davies, C. (1995). Gender and the Professional Predicament in Nursing. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Dyrbye, L.N., West, C.P., Johnson, P.O., Cipriano, P.F., beatty, D.E., Peterson, C., Major-Elechi, B., & Shanafelt, T. (2019). Burnout and satisfaction with work-life integration among nurses. Journal of Occupational and Enviornmental Medicine, 61(8), 689-698. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001637
Farina, S. M., Minerva, E., Glunt, J., & Bernardo, L. (2018). Introducing mindfulness practices for self-care. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 34(4), 194–198. https://doi.org/10.1097/nnd.0000000000000456
Felblinger, D.M. (2008). Incivility and bullying in the workplace and nurses' shame responses. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 37(2), 234-242. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2008.00227.x
Hooks, B. (2000). Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. South End Press.
Jiang, X., Topps, A. K., & Suzuki, R. (2021). A systematic review of self-care measures for professionals and trainees. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 15(2), 126–139. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000318
Kennelly, J. (2014). ‘It’s this pain in my heart that won’t let me stop’: Gendered affect, webs of relations, and young women’s activism. Feminist Theory, 15(3), 241–260. https://doi.org/10.1177/1464700114544611
Lamp, C.M. (2024). Self-Care and the Female Nurse Educator: A feminist perspective. (Publication No. 30994897). [Doctoral dissertation, The University of Alabama]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.
Lee, J. J., & Miller, S. E. (2013). A self-care framework for social workers: Building a strong foundation for practice. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 94(2), 96–103. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.4289
Lee, J. J., Miller, S. E., & Bride, B. E. (2019). Development and initial validation of the self-care practices scale. Social Work, 65(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swz045
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103-111. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311
Nelson, J. R., Hall, B. S., Anderson, J. L., Birtles, C., & Hemming, L. (2017). Self–compassion as self-care: A simple and effective tool for counselor educators and counseling students. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 13(1), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2017.1328292
Sigma Membership
Epsilon Omega
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Expert Opinion (nationally/internationally recognized)
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Nursing Career, Well-Being, Boundary Setting, Feminist Approach
Recommended Citation
Kaylor, Sara; Horton, Abby; Townsend, Haley; Rice, Meridith; and Prevost, Susan, "The Art of Saying No: Empowering Nurses to Set Boundaries for Well-Being" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 73.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/73
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
The Art of Saying No: Empowering Nurses to Set Boundaries for Well-Being
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The nursing profession, long dominated by women, is shaped by societal norms that encourage selflessness and compliance, leading nurses to prioritize others over their own well-being. This expectation to always say yes, coupled with the demands of various practice settings, contributes to burnout and stress. This presentation advocates for a feminist approach to boundary-setting, offering strategies to help nurses confidently say no, establish healthy boundaries, and maintain a balanced career.