On Nursing Burnout

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by Rosabel Zohfeld, APRN, MSN-Ed, FNP-C

Burnout is characterized by exhaustion, depersonalization (cynicism), and reduced personal accomplishment. In general nursing, burnout contributes to nurses leaving their positions. Nurses may become exhausted doing their best to care for patients. They may express cynicism through negative behaviors, poor communication with others, and incivility toward co-workers. There is a lack of motivation,  decreased personal job-related self-esteem, reduced personal accomplishment, and a lack of job- satisfaction with high-stress levels.

We could all agree that nurses are human beings with identical physiological needs to their patients. We must eat, and evacuate our bowels and bladders, we need rest. We can get sick as anyone else. 

Although we have a moral and ethical responsibility to our patients, especially on hospital floors I think there must be times where we can have at least a 30-minute uninterrupted lunch, dinner, or breakfast whichever may be the case according to the working schedule. Management must work with us to make sure that there is enough personnel to relieve nurses as needed. If we continue to treat our nurses as the heroes without capes that are made of steel we are going on the wrong path. In my nursing career, I have always and continue to advocate for a safe working environment for all, patients and workers regardless of their job description. I know we as nurses want to prove to the world how strong we are, and don’t get me wrong we are, but above all, we are humans who can get as sick or worse than our patients if we do not take care of ourselves. Working 12 hr. Shifts on our feet, with little to no breaks, on top of the emotional burdens of taking care of very Ill patients, can be exhausting, and stressful. It leads to cynicism, an unsafe work environment, and negative vibes, with a huge impact on the care of patients. A decline in job satisfaction. It is a cycle that is not fair to the employee nurse, the patients, and even the employer. 

So what to do? 

It is easier said than done. 

Employers must make sure to prioritize efficient staff, to empower and train nurses in recognizing burnout and how to address it from the beginning. Make sure that nurses are part of the conversation and place a support program in place. Nurses, be aware of the situations that cause/trigger stress and try to minimize it. Practice self-care, make sure you are getting adequate sleep, healthy nutrition, exercise, make sure you are staying hydrated at all times, develop self-copying mechanisms, and set healthy boundaries for yourself and others. Build a support system, do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Try your best at having a work-life balance. Do not deny or hide your feelings, it does not help in the long run. Have faith and believe in yourself.

Together we can combat nurse burnout. Be part of the conversation. It's okay to talk about it, get it out of your chest. Prioritize your mental health. Remember, you are human and have physical, emotional, and physiological needs. So do not neglect yourself. After all, if you don’t help yourself how can you help others?