ASK THE EXPERT
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH PEER SUPPORT?
Peer support programs provide nurses with a psychologically safe, confidential, and approachable way to discuss what they’re going through with people who have been there before.
A foundation of shared experiences makes this an effective way to combat stress, burnout, anxiety, isolation, and more. Texas Nursing reached out to our nearest peer support experts to ask them the question—what’s the deal with peer support? And why does it work?
NURSES GET NURSES
“AS A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE, each shift can be unpredictable and have unique challenges. On a psychiatric unit, there is turbulence whenever there is a change in the environment. One admission or discharge can impact the entire unit in either a positive or a negative way. If a group is together long enough, someone entering or exiting the group, whether it is the patient milieu or the nursing staff, is not an emotionally neutral event. For myself, having the support of my fellow nurses at work has been a part of the reward.
There is no way to quantify how valuable it is to have someone who understands what you have witnessed, been a part of, or are currently dealing with—another nurse that gets it because they are there doing the same job as you. Nurses get nurses. Peer support creates an environment of psychological safety. I know that I can speak freely, without fear of judgement. It works because there is an authentic bond, where our peer support is founded on the basis of unconditional positive regard. Peer support creates the fertile soil for each of us to grow!” —Stacy McColl, MSN, RN, CARN
A FOCUS ON CONNECTION
“Peer support is basically nurses helping nurses—people who have been through similar struggles and lived experiences, whether it’s substance use, mental health challenges, or burnout. It’s about having someone to talk to who gets it because they’ve been there too.
Peer support programs, such as TPAPN, utilize peer support to help nurses feel less isolated, stay accountable, and receive genuine encouragement from those who have navigated similar challenges. It works because it focuses on connection and understanding, not judgment. Sometimes just hearing ‘me too’ makes all the difference.” —Becca Segura, RN
INVALUABLE PERSPECTIVE
“In the field of psychiatric nursing, we often find ourselves working in emotionally intense and unpredictable environments. Our patients face significant challenges daily, and we navigate not only their needs but also the concerns of their families, the ever-shifting dynamics of the milieu, and ongoing workforce pressures. These factors can contribute to moral distress, mental fatigue, and physical exhaustion.
Throughout my career, one of the most powerful buffers against these challenges has been the strength of the nursing teams I’ve worked with. Whether stepping in to assist with patient care, sharing a needed moment of levity, collaborating on creative problem-solving, or simply sitting beside me after a particularly difficult, somber, or even traumatic event, my peers have consistently been a grounding force.
There’s a unique comfort in knowing you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the realities of your work but genuinely care about your well-being. This is what Peer Support is all about. Peer support brings hope, camaraderie, and invaluable perspective. In my experience, it is one of the most essential resources available to nurses—one that we should actively seek out and lean on.” —Brittney Majefski, MSN, RN, PMH-BC
A PERSONAL SOUNDING BOARD
“Peer support is when individuals with shared experiences help other people who are going through a similar experience currently. The peer could be helping through several different ways. For example, they could be the individuals sounding board when they need to talk about something that’s hard, they could give the person advice about how to deal with a situation, or they could share their own experience that may be similar.
Peer support is effective because it may be comfortable for the person going through the situation right now. They may feel less judged because the peer has been through the same thing. When people feel less judged, they are less likely to put up a mental barrier and can focus more on how they can better themselves. It is useful in a therapeutic program or setting because it can help an individual to open up, possibly more quickly than they would otherwise, and start working on the goals they have for themselves.” —Amy Harris, BSN, RN, PMH-BC
