Staying Safe on Assignment: Practical Wellbeing Support Every Nurse Should Know

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Healthcare roles come with their own set of challenges. And nurses, in particular, face the brunt of them. Case in point: nearly 24,000 cases of violence against healthcare professionals were reported in Victoria alone in 2024-25. The numbers are only increasing.  ‎ ‎‎ ‎

As a nurse on locum or contractual roles, your assignments in rural and remote towns can come with safety and wellbeing difficulties. From emotional resilience to workplace support, everything matters.  

Let’s take a look at support resources and tips you can rely on for a safer and healthier working experience.  

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Prioritising Physical Safety on Assignment

Nurses face numerous workplace hazards like injuries from treating patients, drug administration, repetitive motion, and violence.  

Whether you are in a metro hospital or a remote clinic, understanding a facility’s security and emergency protocols is your first line of defence. 

It’s also crucial to be careful when treating patients to avoid injuries. 

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Practical Tips for On-Site Safety

• Use needles safely to avoid cuts. Always follow the “sharps” protocol. 
• Exercise caution while handling and administering drugs as you’re always at risk of inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion. Wear personal protective equipment (PPEs), opt for non-touch techniques, and avoid distractions during the preparation and administration process.  
• Invest in high-quality compression socks and supportive footwear for better ergonomic comfort. About 47% of all reported injuries by nurses are due to body stressing. Wearing quality footwear can help reduce the chances of these injuries. 
• Build strong situational awareness. If the dynamic with a patient or family member feels “off,” trust your intuition. Step out, regain your composure, and involve senior staff or security immediately. 

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Managing Verbal and Emotional Safety in the Workplace

You stepped into nursing to care for people in crisis, seeing them at their most vulnerable. But in those emotionally charged spaces, the gratitude you deserve is frequently replaced by verbal aggression.  

It is a difficult irony: the more vulnerable the situation, the more likely you are to face the brunt of a family’s distress.  

The high-stress environment can also lead to emotional breakdowns and outbursts among the team. It’s essential to recognise these challenges and work on them by: 

• Setting clear boundaries with the patients. 
• Discourage and report bullying to nurse managers. 
• Encourage coworkers to treat nurses with compassion and respect. 
• Access workplace support whenever necessary. 
• Use proven de-escalation strategies to diffuse tempers. 
• Try to bring in a positive work culture where nurses in your team can speak up. 

Also, identify a peer early in your locum assignment who you can debrief after a “heavy” interaction. 

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Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing on Assignment

Nursing is an emotionally demanding profession that’s built on empathy and requires tremendous endurance. It’s particularly challenging when you’re working away from home in an unfamiliar or rural setting. Apart from the job itself, the new location can weigh you down. 

The key is to start building an anchor routine, much like you’d have back “home.” It helps signal safety to your nervous system. 

To feel more at home, find a spot outside of work, such as a café or garden, where you can spend time regularly. 

At work, build connections so you have a peer who you can bank on.  

It’s also necessary to be self-aware. Recognise when you’re getting stressed or burned out. Some signs that you could be include: 

• You start feeling that the care you provide doesn’t matter. 
• Going to work gives a feeling of dread. 
• Finding it difficult to make decisions or losing clinical confidence. 

But even after all the precautionary measures, the load can sometimes feel too heavy to carry alone.  

Nurse & Midwife Support, Beyond Blue, Lifeline, and CRANAplus are some free services that offer confidential support for Australian healthcare professionals. These services help with managing anxiety, depression, burnout, and overall mental wellbeing. 

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How DNA Supports Nurses Beyond Placement

When you are placed through DNA Healthcare, you gain a recruitment partner that cares for you throughout your assignments.  

Our vetting process starts before your placement. We solely work with organisations that provide a safe and supportive working environment and provide intimate details of what you can expect before you sign your contract. Your hard work should reflect in not just your pay, but also the working conditions.  

From the moment you receive your assignment itinerary to your final day on-site, our dedicated consultants provide regular check-ins. You’ll always have a trusted point of contact to resolve any issues that may arise. 

Your wellbeing is our primary metric for success. 

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Your Safety and Wellbeing Come First

Nurses provide care to patients, but the high-pressure job means they need equal care themselves. Irrespective of your assignment, make sure you prioritise your safety and wellbeing. And whenever things get challenging, don’t think twice about reaching out for support.  

At DNA Healthcare, support extends beyond finding a nursing job or assignment. Every placement is designed to foster long-term success, with continued guidance and assistance throughout the assignment and well beyond. 

Connect with our experienced consultants today to find live nursing roles and find out how we can help you get placed.