The article “How to Avoid Nursing Burnout” by Sarah West, APRN, FNP-BC, published on the Diversity Nursing Blog on January 30, 2023, discusses the issue of nurse burnout and offers tips to prevent it. The concept of burnout among nurses has been introduced previously. Burnout is a long-standing problem in the nursing profession. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout among nurses has become increasingly prevalent, making it a significant issue in the profession. Inadequate staffing, increasing workload, high patient acuity, and even verbal or physical abuse from patients are all common causes of burnout among nurses. All three types of energy are depleted as a result of these stresses. Hence, burnout has played a major role in the exodus of nurses from frontline care and the profession.
A nurse’s burnout can be avoided if its warning signs are recognized early. Many factors and situations can lead to burnout in the nursing profession. Some of the signs of burnout in nursing include exhaustion, sleep issues, headaches, anxiety, a lack of motivation to go to work, a perception of being undervalued, overworked, or unsupported, problems in interpersonal relationships, and a desire to avoid social situations (Thomas et al., 2019). When one has work that requires much emotional energy and is difficult, one may occasionally feel resentful toward it. However, it may be time to take some time for oneself and follow some measures to lessen the danger of becoming burnt out if the negative emotions persist for weeks or begin to impair the personal life or how one feels toward the job.
Developing Strong Relationships with Coworkers
Nurses have a high risk of burnout due to their stressful jobs. However, this risk can be mitigated by cultivating positive relationships with coworkers. This is because nurses working in favourable situations have a greater sense of community and mutual support. Nurses with strong social networks report lower stress levels and emotional tiredness.
Prioritizing Physical and Mental Health
Maintaining one’s emotional and physical wellbeing is crucial to avoiding burnout as a nurse. A nurse with an empty cup cannot provide care. Stress can be reduced, and problems can be solved by trying a new activity like yoga, meditation, or writing. Nurses should also maintain a healthy lifestyle by consuming healthy foods, drinking lots of water, sleeping enough hours per night, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Setting Boundaries
Avoiding burnout can be achieved by the establishment of limits. Several nurses struggle to balance their personal and professional lives when they work opposite shifts from their friends and family. Even if overtime pays off financially, doing so may have other advantages. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance requires making time for relaxation and socializing outside of work. Leave work at work and refrain from discussing it when one is off the clock.
Finding Support with Loved Ones
Mental exhaustion is a real risk in the nursing profession. One must surround oneself with kind, supportive people. Therapists and counsellors can be helpful resources for individuals who have experienced trauma on the job.
Finding a Creative Outlet
Nurse burnout can be avoided through the production of endorphins through the use of creative outlets. Nurses who engage in creative activities report higher levels of happiness, vitality, immunity, and less stress. Crafts like knitting and crocheting, as well as visual arts like painting and pottery, are enjoyed by some nurses in their spare time.
Advancing One’s Career
A registered nurse experiencing burnout due to stress on the job, going back to school might be the best option. Nurses who want to take their profession to the next level can pursue careers as Nurse Leaders, Nurse Educators, or Nurse Practitioners. These alternate lines of work may offer more independence, a new challenge, and a departure from the clinical setting in which one currently works (Jackson et al., 2019). If one wants to make a difference in nursing and help prevent burnout among future nurses, advancing your career is still a great place to start. Preventing nurses from becoming burned out requires teamwork. Nurses and their supervisors are responsible for putting their own health and safety first in addition to that of their patients.
Conclusion
In nursing, nurse burnout is a serious problem that impacts the standard of patient care, nurses’ wellbeing, and the healthcare system’s long-term viability. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this problem, emphasizing the urgent need to address the root causes of burnout and provide nurses with support to maintain their physical and mental health. The advice in the essay is useful and doable, but combating nursing burnout necessitates a systemic strategy that incorporates healthcare organizations, governments, and society. We can build a more sustainable healthcare system for everyone if we recognize how important nurse burnout prevention is.
References
https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/nurse-burnout
Jackson, J., Vandall-Walker, V., Vanderspank-Wright, B., Wishart, P., & Moore, S. L. (2018). Burnout and resilience in critical care nurses: a grounded theory of managing exposure. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 48, 28-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2018.07.002
Thomas, C. M., Bantz, D. L., & McIntosh, C. E. (2019). Nurse faculty burnout and strategies to avoid it. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 14(2), 111-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2018.12.005
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