Did you know that within the past 3 years, 95 percent of nurses have reported burnout? As a not-so-surprising consequence, fatigue or feeling overworked is cited as the number 1 reason nurses quit their jobs.
Feeling overwhelmed, drained, or exhausted by post-pandemic expectations is normal for all healthcare workers, particularly nurses. Just know that relief is possible.
If you work within the healthcare industry and are looking to help your fellow nurses or just yourself, this article is for you. Here we outline exactly what your options are for when you’re dealing with nursing burnout.
Let’s get started.
1. Pay Attention to Your Stressors
With a multitude of difficult, unusual, and often bizarre circumstances to deal with, it can be hard to identify a single cause of your burnout. It is likely several factors including mounting pressure, working overtime, and feeling like you are stretched in several directions.
In times like these it helps to pause, take a deep breath, and identify exactly what is the source of your stress. Document this over time, and it might help you identify patterns and provide clarity on how to improve your experience.
2. Make Small Changes to Your Diet
When there is so much expected of you and so little time to do it, it can be hard to maintain a nutritious diet and take some time to relax. Instead, take small steps and focus on little changes you can incorporate into your day to ensure a healthier lifestyle. For example:
- Eat your meals slowly and mindfully
- Opt for wholegrain options instead of processed/ refined counterparts
- Make protein a part of each meal by including chickpeas, salmon, or lentils
- Slow-cooked instead of deep-frying or high heat
Aim for a better diet rather than a perfect one and your goals will seem far more achievable.
3. Practice Compartmentalization
Compartmentalization is a technique that allows you to separate your work from your personal life.
Much of what you see and experience on the job can take an emotional toll on you. Learn how to isolate your work experiences and be present and focus entirely on other activities when you’re not at work.
4. Pause, Breathe, and Relax
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, tasks and life in general can seem insurmountable. Pause, take a few deep breaths, and switch your focus to something else.
Some effective grounding techniques include immersing your hands in water, or the 5-4-3-2-1 coping technique. To practice the latter you need to first acknowledge 5 things you can see around you, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Support and Assistance
If you feel like you’re heading towards nursing burnout or are already there, do not be afraid to ask for help. Know that your job is a difficult one and burnout is something that can happen to anyone.
Talk to your loved ones and the people close to you, seek out therapy, or visit NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that are dedicated to providing mental health services.
Nursing Burnout Is No Joke
Nursing burnout is not an easy experience, but there are several ways to treat it and come out the other side stronger.
However, if you are running a healthcare facility, it can be hard to attend to each of your nurses and ensure that their well-being is taken care of. That’s where we come in.
Get in touch with our team at Staff Genius to learn more about our nurse staffing solutions.
