Avoiding the Big Burn!

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Before embarking on this journey through nursing school, I use to be an elementary school teacher. I loved teaching, but as many colleagues had warned me, I experienced "burn-out" in the education profession. I loved teaching, but now I can't hardly stomach thinking about grading papers and setting foot back in a classroom. So, I end up choosing another profession that experiences a high rate of burn-out as well: NURSING. Are there any recommendations for a new nurse to prevent burn-out from occurring? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I am one of those 'research-y' people... fairly common in Nursing -:bookworm:. I encourage you to look at the work of Heather Laschinger (HEATHER LASCHINGER - Google Scholar Citations) This provides insight and information about the best way to avoid it, or at least recognize the danger signs and take remedial action.

Some burnout is inevitable in any 'social' profession but it is more prevalent when there is significant disparity between education and practice (reality shock). Ironically, the 'best' (caring, empathetic, committed to the profession) nurses have the greatest risk. Apathy has been shown to prevent burnout...

I'm certainly not advocating apathy as a personal strategy, but there are ways to increase your own personal resiliency. One of the most important is to establish and maintain your own boundaries. Empathy with your patients is a basic requirement, but you must be able to maintain emotional distance. This is sometimes referred to (negatively) as compartmentalization. It is absolutely essential.. e.g., how can you run a code or respond effectively to a crisis/emergency if you are falling apart? You need to have a life outside your job. Turn it off when you leave work. Don't let yourself be "guilted" into taking on more work when it's detrimental to your personal life.

You're going to do great. In a few years, maybe you'll consider joining my "tribe".... nurse educators? It would be a great way to take advantage of all of your knowledge and experience.

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I like your reference to being a nursing educator as "tribal" :) Thank you for your words of advice..... I found that with teaching I was constantly bringing papers home to grade and ended up going into school on the weekends just to stay caught up. I am going to try really hard to take your advice and keep work and life separate. Thanks again!

Jenny

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