Burnout is a very real risk for any nurse. No matter the duration of your career, the emotional exhaustion and fatigue, physical depletion, and seemingly endless shifts take a substantial toll on even the most resilient among us. We only need to look back at the toll the pandemic took on so many of our devoted colleagues to realize that burnout is a very real threat to a career in nursing.
Yes, burnout is real. But learning how to recognize the signs of impending burnout early on helps you avoid it and build a nursing career in which you thrive without burning out. Here we offer tried and true (and surprisingly simple) advice to help you avoid the emotional overwhelm and mental exhaustion that potentially leads to the end of a career you love.
What Is Burnout?
Every career carries a risk of burnout. That being said, healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable. A published study by the CDC substantiates this. According to the study, individuals in the healthcare sector are more likely to succumb to burnout than those in any other field. In fact, in 2022 alone, 46% of those in healthcare reported burnout. Clearly, a lot of healthcare workers, and nurses in particular, feel the toll of patient care, nursing shortages, and long shifts more keenly than others.
So, what does burnout look like? In nursing, it may come on slowly with weariness giving way to persistent feelings of physical exhaustion. You may begin to notice your emotions are all over the place-one minute you’re angry, the next you’re crying. Or you may even notice the absence of deep emotions, and a sense of apathy takes over. Mentally, you may feel as though you simply can’t do your job. When burnout takes hold, these feelings often follow you home and seep into your daily life.
What are The Signs and Symptoms of Burnout?
Knowing the signs as they begin is the way to get a hold of burnout in its tracks. That way, you can do what you need to do to continue building your rewarding nursing career. Here are some common symptoms of burnout in healthcare.
- Emotional detachment, unsympathetic toward patients and colleagues alike
- Emotional exhaustion may look like chronic fatigue or no motivation
- Suddenly cynical; an untypical negative attitude
- Depersonalization, a lack of empathy
- Feelings of inadequacy and doubt about your nursing skills and knowledge
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- A weakened immune system
- Withdrawing from social interactions
What Causes Burnout
While burnout is fairly common, it doesn’t come from any specific source. A person’s individual capacity for emotionally challenging circumstances and resiliency to bounce back, along with an ability to manage prolonged stress, factor into their risk for burnout. But there are also external factors such as long hours, heavy workloads, and constantly dealing with short-staffing. High nurse-to-patient ratios and a difficult workplace environment also fan the flames of burnout.
How to Keep Burnout from Derailing Your Career
Burnout can quickly take a toll on a nursing career, so it’s best to be aware of the above-mentioned signs. Perhaps alert a loved one or close companion to the signs as well, so they may let you know if they recognize any changes in you. Here, we offer a tried and true method to help prevent nursing burnout.
Physical Wellness and Self-Care
As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty vessel.” Take control of your physical health by making sure you’re eating right and getting regular physical activity. Even something as minor as cutting back on sugar and taking daily walks helps immensely. Make sure you’re getting restorative sleep.
Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques
Get ahead of stress by focusing on your mental and spiritual well-being. Set aside some time each day for meditation, prayer, breath work, and journaling. There are some wonderful apps and online resources to help you in your mindfulness practices.
In times of prolonged stress, you should consider scheduling a massage, a spa getaway, or even a simple day at home unplugged from the digital world.
Emotional Support
When the overwhelm starts to burden you, consider a support group or one-on-one counseling. Many professional nurse organizations have resources they recommend. Talk to a colleague you trust or even a dear friend who isn’t affiliated with healthcare. Once you begin to recognize the signs, it’s time to take some serious steps toward support.
More You Can Do
Burnout not only takes a toll on you and those around you, but it can also lead to potentially life-threatening mistakes in your career. If you sense your nursing job is steering you toward burning out, please contact BOS Medical Staffing. We value our nurses and want to help you build a rewarding nursing career without burning out.
