I want to tell you a secret.
Being a nurse is exhausting.
Whoever said nurses can “handle it all” is seriously deranged.
Nursing is a challenging yet immensely rewarding profession. We become nurses because we want to help people, but no one told us how stressful it could be. I certainly wasn’t prepared for short staffing, higher acuity assignments, and the high expectations of patients, families, physicians, peers (everybody)!
So what happens when the physical and emotional demands of our career become too much to handle?
We experience nurse burnout.
Nurse burnout is a normal response to abnormal working conditions. It is affectionately dubbed the “physical, mental, and emotional state caused by being chronically overworked in conjunction with a sustained lack of job fulfillment and support.” While nursing is one of the most in-demand fields, the shortage of healthcare providers is a major concern worldwide. Due to this gap, many nurses in hospitals are overwhelmed with more work than they can handle.
Nurses face many stressful situations in the workplace, which may ultimately lead to burnout. This can cause severe effects on a person’s quality of life, both in and out of the workplace. In some cases, burnout may lead to resignation in order to free oneself from emotional exhaustion.
Nurses deal with death on a regular basis, and the emotional strain of losing patients and assisting grieving family members may become overwhelming. Not to mention the long shifts of 12 or more hours and sleep deprivation on top of that, all of which can lead to exhaustion, fatigue, and stress.
Everyone reacts differently to stressors, whether they be physical, emotional, or environmental in nature. Similarly, burnout can manifest in a variety of ways.
Common burnout signs include:
Irritability & Frustration
Frequently & Regularly Calling in Sick
Intolerance or Reluctance to Change
Exhaustion & Fatigue
"Checked Out" Mentality
Coupled with burnout, compassion fatigue is another problem that nurses experience. This describes the compounding emotional and physical exhaustion experienced by helping professionals and caregivers.
It is insanely common to experience this as a nurse. And I know I’m not the only one who has dealt with it.
For me, I have learned that the best method for reducing my job-related stress is by keeping my professional life and home life separate. I try to avoid dwelling on work issues at home, which helps me to be more relaxed when off the clock. I also enjoy using the PTO that I accrue and take a much needed vacay every once in a while. In addition, I exercise on my days off. Bless your soul if you are one who works out before/after work. I literally cannot.
Here are some of my tips to help you manage work-related stress & nurse burnout:
Make time for yourself through self-care. Regularly do things that you enjoy and choose a hobby (e.g. journaling, cooking, meditating, drinking wine). #YouDoYou
Maintain a well-balanced diet and regular exercise. Do not overeat. When you eat good, you feel good!
Manage your family-work balance. Set work boundaries and do not overcommit. Be aware of what’s meaningful to you and your family. Make sure your priorities are in check!
Find ways to cope with stress. What is your outlet for stress relief? Recognize physical/emotional triggers and develop healthy habits to deal with them.
Surround yourself with a supportive network and positive energy. Remember, you do NOT have to deal with this alone.