The nurse bombarded, consumed and vulnerable: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of mental health nurses' self‐care at work: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of mental health nurses' self-care at work

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Introduction</jats:title><jats:p>Self‐care is essential for nurses' wellbeing, with stress posing a major barrier. Research into self‐care is often absorbed into studies of burnout or resilience. Understanding lived experiences of influences on nurses' self‐care practices is essential. There is currently a paucity of literature on this topic.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>To explore mental health nurses' views about what influences their ability to self‐care in relation to workplace stress and the impact on their practice and work environment.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was utilized. In‐depth interviews explored how nurses perceived the influence of environment and relationships on self‐care practices in the workplace.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Participants' perceptions and experiences are embodied by the theme: <jats:italic>the nurse bombarded</jats:italic>, comprising two subordinate themes—the nurse consumed by the intensity of work and therapeutic relationships; and feeling vulnerable from colleague relationships and feeling undervalued. Participants described conflict between workload demands and expectations and the desire to provide optimal care.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Stressful working environments pose major barriers to effective self‐care. Feeling bombarded and vulnerable, impacts nurses' lives personally and professionally.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Implications for Practice</jats:title><jats:p>Mental health nurses' self‐care is crucial for quality practice. Strategies to address relational, personal and environmental barriers to self‐care are therefore necessary.</jats:p></jats:sec>