Perioperative Nurse Wellbeing: "I'm Fine." The Two Words That Worry Me Most
- Kate Wheeler
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
A five-minute coffee break for perioperative professionals across Australia and New Zealand.
This Week's Coffee Break...
Perioperative nurse wellbeing is something I've become increasingly passionate about after more than twenty years working alongside theatre professionals across Australia and New Zealand.
Over the years, I've come to realise that people rarely call me when everything is going well. They call because they're excited about a new opportunity. They call because they're frustrated. Sometimes they call because they've reached a crossroads in their career. And every now and then, they call because they're simply exhausted.
A few months ago, I was speaking to a perioperative nurse I'd known for quite some time. They'd spent years building an excellent reputation. They were experienced, respected and genuinely loved working in theatre.
As we chatted, I asked the same question I ask almost everyone.
"So, how are you?"
"I'm fine," they replied.
Then there was silence.
A few moments later they said, "Actually Kate... I'm really not."
That conversation has stayed with me ever since. Not because it was unusual, because it wasn't!
Behind the Smile
One of the privileges of my job is that people often tell me what's really going on. Not straight away. Sometimes it takes ten minutes. Sometimes half an hour.
Sometimes they only open up because they know I'm not their manager, colleague or friend. I'm simply someone who's prepared to listen without judgement.
What I've learnt is that "I'm fine" can mean many different things.
"I'm exhausted."
"I don't feel appreciated."
"I've lost confidence."
"I don't know if I can keep doing this."
"I don't want to let my team down."
For people working in perioperative care, there can be an unspoken expectation to keep going.
You show up. You focus on the patient. You support your colleagues. You move on to the next case. And then the next. Somewhere along the way, many healthcare professionals become experts at putting everyone else's needs before their own.
The Pressure Nobody Sees
People outside healthcare often see the technical side of perioperative work. They see precision. Skill. Teamwork.
What they don't always see is the emotional load that comes with it.
The responsibility.
The constant need to remain focused.
The difficult days that stay with you long after you've gone home.
The conversations with families.
The emergencies.
The unexpected outcomes.
The cumulative effect of carrying all of that, day after day, can be significant.
Yet many people minimise their own feelings because someone else "has it worse."
I've heard people apologise for feeling overwhelmed. As though being human is somehow a weakness. Well, let me tell you...It isn't!
Being Strong Doesn't Mean Carrying Everything Alone
One of the biggest misconceptions I come across is that resilience means never struggling. I don't believe that's true. To me, resilience is recognising when something isn't right and having the courage to acknowledge it.
That might mean talking to a trusted colleague. Taking annual leave you've been putting off. Speaking to your manager. Accessing professional support.
Or simply admitting to yourself that you're not okay right now.
The strongest people I know aren't the ones who never wobble. They're the ones who allow themselves to be supported.
For Leaders Reading This
If you're a Theatre Manager, NUM or leader, I'd encourage you to remember something.
Not everyone who is struggling will tell you. Some people become quieter. Some become more irritable. Others throw themselves into work even harder.
A simple, genuine "How are you really doing?" can open a conversation that changes someone's week.
Listening doesn't mean you have to solve every problem. Sometimes people simply need to feel heard.
Never underestimate the power of creating a workplace where people feel psychologically safe enough to say, "I'm finding things difficult." Remember, trust is a leadership requirement.
For My Fellow Healthcare Professionals
If you're reading this and thinking, "That's me," please know you're not alone. Over the last twenty years I've spoken to thousands of healthcare professionals. Some of the most capable, compassionate and respected people I've met have also experienced periods where they questioned themselves, felt emotionally exhausted or wondered whether they could keep going.
Needing support doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're human. And being human is something we should never, ever apologise for.
Kate's Reflection
One of the reasons I love working in perioperative recruitment is that it's never really been about jobs for me. It's about people.
Every CV I receive belongs to someone with a story.
Every career move represents hopes, fears, ambitions and sometimes difficult decisions.
I've learnt that before people need a recruiter, they often need someone to listen.
If this article encourages just one person to check in with a colleague, or to admit they're not coping as well as they'd like others to believe, then it's been worth writing.
Because behind every set of scrubs is a person. And people matter.
Coffee Break Question
Have you ever had someone ask, "How are you?" and felt safe enough to answer honestly?
What made that conversation different?
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
A Note from Kate
Thank you for taking a few minutes out of your busy week to join me for a coffee break about Perioperative Nurse Wellbeing. Every week I'll be sharing stories, insights and lessons I've learnt from more than twenty years recruiting perioperative professionals across Australia and New Zealand.
The stories are always anonymised, but the lessons are real.
If there's a topic you'd like me to explore in a future edition, I'd love to hear from you.
Until next week, thank you for everything you do behind the theatre doors.
Kate Wheeler
Founder | Carejobz
This Week at Carejobz
At Carejobz, we recruit exclusively within the perioperative sector across Australia and New Zealand.
Whether you're looking for your next opportunity, exploring your career options or searching for exceptional theatre professionals, I'd love to have a confidential conversation.
If you enjoyed this edition, please consider subscribing and sharing it with a colleague.
