The nursing profession is, in many ways, the foundation of the American healthcare system. Skilled, qualified and empathetic nurses are essential to providing patients with the exceptional, personalized care they need. Nurses often serve as the liaison between doctors and patients, and they have a unique ability to bring a human element to patient care.
As a result, it’s a physically taxing and emotionally strenuous job, which significantly increases the risk of nursing burnout. In fact, according to the American Nurses Association, more than 62% of nurses reported feeling burnt out in the year 2020. Recent survey results published by the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists notes that nearly one-third of nurses surveyed reported they were planning to quit their jobs within a year due to feelings of burnout.
Understanding Nurse Burnout
Nursing burnout is more than just feeling tired after a long shift. Rather, it’s an all-encompassing feeling of mental and physical exhaustion that leaves you feeling apathetic about your job and unmotivated to continue to pursue new and innovative opportunities in nursing.
A burnt-out nurse is not an effective nurse, so hospitals, doctor’s offices and all types of healthcare facilities need to prioritize self-care for nurses. By protecting and advocating for nurses, physicians, facility managers and nurse supervisors will be better able to attract and retain the top nursing talent while simultaneously improving patient outcomes.
Defining Nurse Burnout
Nursing burnout is defined as:
- A sense of mental and physical exhaustion that does not let up.
- Mental distance from the job, leading to nurses feeling disconnected or dissociated while working.
- A general sense of cynicism about the nursing profession.
- Reduced level of performance in the workplace.
While burnout is possible in any career field, nursing burnout is particularly dangerous. For one, the country is already facing a dangerous nursing shortage. In addition, a burnt-out nurse is more likely to make mistakes, some of which can be critical or deadly.
Factors Leading to Nurse Burnout
Several factors can lead to a nurse feeling burnt out by their job. According to Care Options for Kids, the most common causes of nursing burnout include:
- Long hours – Most nurses are required to work shifts that last about 12 hours. The odd hours nurses work also can make it difficult for them to maintain a typical sleep routine, leading to sleep deprivation and chronic exhaustion.
- High-pressure work environment – Nurses must often provide care quickly and be ready during an emergency situation. Coupled with staffing shortages, this can be challenging to manage both physically and emotionally.
- Emotional stress – Nurses can experience emotional stress when working closely with patients and families, making it difficult for them to leave the stress of work behind.
- Lack of support – Nurses may feel that they do not get the support they need from supervisors, physicians, patients or even their families.
Recognizing the Signs of Nurse Burnout
Being aware of and proactive about the signs and symptoms of burnout can help you recognize the issue before it has a lasting impact on your career.
H3: Physical and Emotional Indicators
Some of the most common signs of nurse burnout include:
- A consistent and unrelenting feeling of being overworked.
- A general sense of fatigue while working.
- An inability to look forward to working each day.
- Feeling unappreciated or unrecognized.
H3: Impact on Work Performance
Nursing burnout and compassion fatigue can leave a nurse vulnerable to making mistakes on the job. According to NurseJournal.org, a burnt-out nurse is more likely to make minor mistakes or become forgetful, which can ultimately affect the quality of care patients receive.
The Ramifications of Nurse Burnout
Left unchecked and untreated, nursing burnout can have serious and life-altering complications.
H3: Effect on Patient Care
According to an article published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies, nursing burnout can have a detrimental impact on patient care. A nurse experiencing burnout is not going to be as equipped to provide the high-quality care a patient deserves, increasing the risk of both minor and serious mistakes. It also can lead to decreased patient satisfaction ratings.
H3: Consequences for the Nursing Profession
Nursing burnout can have significant consequences and implications for the nursing profession at large. Many nurses are leaving the field prior to retirement, citing burnout as a primary cause. Additionally, fewer people are considering a career in nursing because they are aware of how difficult the job can be on their physical and emotional health.
The Role of Self-Care in Preventing Nurse Burnout
Although nurses are not able to control who their supervisor is or what their workplace culture is like, they can take control of their self-care routine. By prioritizing self-care, nurses can better prevent or manage feelings of burnout.
Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is most effective when it becomes a regular part of your daily life. Rather than trying to treat the symptoms of nursing burnout with a few new self-care techniques, you should rely on self-care to help prevent feelings of burnout from occurring. Self-care allows you to give yourself the necessary time to physically rest and mentally decompress from a job that can be strenuous and exhausting on both fronts.
Relationship Between Self-Care and Burnout
While researchers are still studying the effects self-care can have on burnout, many experts agree that a regular self-care routine can help prevent serious or substantial burnout. According to an article published in the Healthcare medical journal, healthcare facility managers and supervisors should provide nurses with information about self-care and support related to pursuing such activities.
Physical Self-Care Practices for Nurses
Some of the most effective self-care practices are those that allow you to be physically active. Physical activity can help lower stress levels and increase endorphins, helping you feel ready for the day ahead.
Regular Exercise and Movement
Regular exercise has long been known to provide physical health benefits, like improving heart health, increasing muscle strength and maintaining a healthy weight. When you make exercise a part of your daily routine, however, you will notice it improves your mental health and well-being as well.
Getting Enough Quality Sleep
Sleep can be a challenge for nurses, especially those who work overnight shifts. Creating a sleep routine you can stick to—and allowing yourself to get high-quality sleep—can help prevent the exhaustion that is often one of the first signs of nursing burnout.
Proper Nutrition and Hydration
Staying hydrated and enjoying well-balanced meals can help you feel physically prepared for your nursing shift. However, nurses might find it difficult to sit down and enjoy regular meals while at work. To ensure you are nourishing your mind and body, you should bring a water bottle with you to the nurses’ station and consider packing small, light snacks that you can enjoy on the go. Protein-packed nuts, fresh fruit and whole-grain crackers with cheese are all excellent options.
Emotional Self-Care Techniques for Nurses
In addition to incorporating a few physical self-care techniques into your routine, you can also focus on emotional self-care activities to support your mental health.
Engaging in Enjoyable and Relaxing Activities Outside of Work
Nursing is a job that can be more than just physically taxing; it’s emotionally exhausting. It may be hard to leave the concern and care you have for your patients behind, which is why it’s crucial to create a self-care routine that allows you to find a solid sense of work-life balance. Indulging in hobbies you truly enjoy can help carve out a bit of time just for you each day and keep you from feeling that work consumes your entire life.
Practicing Mindfulness and Self-Reflection
Mindfulness and self-reflection create space for you to better understand yourself and identify your emotions. Some mindfulness and self-care activities that can help prevent nursing burnout include:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Journaling
Seeking Support From Colleagues and Loved Ones
Developing a network of support can help you feel less isolated and alone. Talking with other nurses about the way you are feeling can allow you to connect with colleagues and express some frustrations you might have on the job. Your loved ones can hopefully offer you care and compassion outside of work, helping you feel taken care of in the same way you take care of others.
Setting Boundaries and Learning to Say No
Nurses are some of the most selfless people out there, which means it’s hard for most of them to say no. However, there is nothing wrong with setting boundaries for yourself. By saying no to that extra shift or the overtime hours, you are actually being a better worker—because a nurse who is well-rested and ready to work is going to be more productive, compassionate and effective than a burnt-out nurse who always says yes.
Implementing a Self-Care Routine
Self-care isn’t a one-off task that you can cross off the list. To reap the full benefits, you need to make it a part of your daily routine. It’s not selfish to prioritize self-care.
Steps to Develop a Routine
In order to develop a self-care routine, you will want to:
- Choose one or two self-care activities you feel will fit into your lifestyle.
- Consider your current bandwidth. Start small and allow yourself to be successful.
- Make sure you are realistic. Choose self-care activities that you genuinely believe you can make a part of your regular routine.
Balancing Work and Self-Care
Balancing work and self-care is not always simple, especially as a nurse. Though striking the right balance may be a struggle at first, once you establish a consistent routine that works, it will get much easier.
Overcoming Challenges to Self-Care
On the surface, self-care might sound like a straightforward practice to incorporate into your daily routine, but there may be challenges to overcome along the way. Instead of giving up on self-care, make an effort to perfect the practice so you can live a better-balanced life as a nurse for the long term.
Identifying and Addressing Obstacles
Some common difficulties associated with self-care include:
- Finding the time – You may have to literally schedule self-care in your daily planner when you begin developing your routine.
- Feeling guilty – You will have to teach yourself not to feel bad about taking care of yourself.
- Feeling like self-care should come second to caring for your patients – Remember, you will be able to better prioritize your patient’s health and well-being when you feel good about your own.
Seeking Support and Resources
If you feel that you need extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor, trusted colleagues, a professional counselor or friends and family for additional help.
How Can a Consistent Self-Care Routine Alleviate Burnout Symptoms?
Consistency is key when it comes to self-care. When it becomes a regular part of daily life, it equips you to manage symptoms of burnout as they arise, rather than allowing them to balloon into a larger problem that is more difficult to address down the road.
How Many Nurses Experience Burnout?
Recent research indicates that more than 62% of all nurses in the United States have experienced nursing burnout.
How Many Nurses Quit Due to Burnout?
In a recent survey, more than one-third of all nurses reported that they intended to quit their jobs because of relentless feelings of burnout.
How Do I Recover From Nurse Burnout?
You can begin to recover from burnout and better manage future feelings of burnout by implementing practical self-care elements into your life that allow you to prioritize your physical and mental health.
Advance Your Nursing Career at Nevada State University
Looking to further your career in nursing? At Nevada State University, we offer an online RN-to-BSN degree program that helps you build upon your existing nursing foundation. The online format allows space for you to balance your personal and professional responsibilities alongside your education, which can help prevent you from becoming yet another burnt-out nurse.
Request more information about our online nursing degree programs today.
Sources:
https://nevadastate.edu/admissions/application-information/
https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/workplace/what-is-nurse-burnout-how-to-prevent-it/
https://nursejournal.org/resources/nurse-burnout/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-makes-nurses-vulnerable-to-burnout-and-how-it-impacts-the-care-they-provide
https://careoptionsforkids.com/blog/what-causes-nurse-burnout
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0020748921000742
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10340384/
https://30seconds.com/health/tip/19704/Guide-to-Self-Reflection-8-Ways-to-Make-Self-Reflection-Part-of-Your-Daily-Self-Care-Practice
https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/workplace/what-is-nurse-burnout-how-to-prevent-it/
https://acdis.org/articles/news-one-third-nurses-plan-quit-their-jobs-because-burnout