Nurse burnout-How do you handle it?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Plantar fasciitis, sciatica, gastritis, Yes, I've had them all!

I've also had nightmares of the aspirin I hadn't given while eyeballing the patient with shortness of breath in another room.

Tasks, procedures, complaints, a full bladder with no lunch can equal nurse burnout!

Consequently, you ask yourself, WHY did I become a NURSE?

Age old question huh...

I'll tell you why you become a nurse

You wanted to work weekends, holidays, and your birthday! Right?

No, you became a nurse because you like helping, you like helping patients!

You help people in their worst states of pain, desperation, anxiety, fear, depression, loss of life, stress, violence, guilt and surprise.

You became a nurse because..

You got addicted to patients who genuinely thank you. You feel good about advocating for patients that need more pain medication,

You help the person with SOB take a deep breath.

You like the team work it takes to run a successful code!

And giving stickers to a toddler, suddenly makes you super

nurse.

So how do you handle nurse burnout? What has worked for you and most importantly how do you stay engaged and empathic in your profession without getting too tainted?

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Honestly there are different reasons for everyone. I have to say as long as I stay focused on what my true reason for becoming a nurse was I can continue to enjoy my job with as much if not more enthusiasm than when I first started. I have switched dept a few times and continue to challenge myself by trying to learn more and keep up with the pace. I find that when I am getting bored doing what I am doing then I look for a new challenge either within my dept or outside of it and this keeps me content. I luv seeing a smile on my patient's face after having reassured them of a procedure. It gives my job meaning to know that I've made a difference (however minute it may be) in someone's life.

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Alcohol

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Most recently, Ice cream for breakfast as a reward for making it through a shift. You have to find a reward for yourself after every other shift to maintain stamina. You literally have to take nursing one shift at a time. You can't think about making it through to the next pay period.... Bc they dont pay you enough to deal with the ABUSE. So reward yourself frequently. (be selfish, play new music in the car to motivate you to want to get up to your car to drive to work)

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I agree with you totally, I get bored fairly easily and that is why I have worked ER the longest. I've tried other dpt and none have been as challenging, rewarding and stressfull as the ER. Helping people, I've realized is the reason why I chose to become a Nurse. Some times its difficult to keep your "WHY" in mind.

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at gcupid, Rewards, yes..Honestly, alcohol used to be my reward, a beer here and there after a shift until I realized what the hell am I doing? Now, I like to read, most specifically personal development books and it has changed my mind set immensely.

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ha ha...everything in moderation.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Honestly there are different reasons for everyone. I have to say as long as I stay focused on what my true reason for becoming a nurse was I can continue to enjoy my job with as much if not more enthusiasm than when I first started. I have switched dept a few times and continue to challenge myself by trying to learn more and keep up with the pace. I find that when I am getting bored doing what I am doing then I look for a new challenge either within my dept or outside of it and this keeps me content. I luv seeing a smile on my patient's face after having reassured them of a procedure. It gives my job meaning to know that I've made a difference (however minute it may be) in someone's life.

^This is EXACTLY why, for the 8 years I have been a nurse HAVE NOT had nurse burnout...I've had frustrations, setbacks, but I still enjoy nursing and would not change my career at all! :nurse:

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Alcohol

Same haha

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

My burnout was so severe that I quit nursing for close to 5 yrs. When I was forced back because my husband became ill, I literally cried for a week.

Fast forward to 4 yrs later where I still get annoyed with some of the issues, but overall, I really enjoy my profession.

My secret? Like other posters mentioned. Remember why I chose this profession in the first place. I also partake in any education that is offered. I became certified in med/surg. I became a charge nurse, which offers the best of both worlds. I work with management and also with patients and fellow nurses. I joined committees that enable me to help change practice. I joined our union negotiation team.

What I was missing before was control. Yep. I'm a control freak. ;) Now that I have some control over my environment, I am much happier. Does it make me come in on a few days off? Yes..it does. This week I was there for 5 days in a row, but that is rare and a small sacrifice if it keeps me happy.

I also do what others do. I take care of me. Do small things that make me happy. I don't take some crappy TV dinner to work, but some favorite foods that I enjoy. I don't feel guilty sleeping in an extra hour on my day off and I bought some really nice bath stuff that I use when I feel stressed.

Everyone has something that works for them.

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Specializes in ED.

I've been a nurse for almost 20 years and I can honestly say I still love my job. I can't imagine doing anything else. Yes, I have stressful days where I want to scream, cry and pull my hair out, but I know that this too shall pass. In 20 years, I have yet to suffer any serious burnout. How do I do it? Not sure really. I've learned to keep my work life and personal life separate. I keep my focus on work when I am at work and when I am home, I keep my focus on my home life. I don't go home from work wondering if I did or didn't do something. My days off are my own. I rarely go in on my days off, unless I have previously scheduled myself for that time. I also take advantage of any educational opportunities that I can. I find that there is always something to learn in the ED. This keeps everything fresh. I guess my best advice to avoid burnout is to stop worrying about work when you are not there. Stay focused on the job when you are there and do the very best you can. Go home each night knowing that you have done your best and enjoy your time off. Trust me, your work doesn't worry about you when you aren't there. Make your time your own.

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I find that there is always something to learn in the ED. This keeps everything fresh. I guess my best advice to avoid burnout is to stop worrying about work when you are not there. Stay focused on the job when you are there and do the very best you can. .

I really like this post, I've learned recently that "how you do anything, is how you do everything", so no matter what it is, I really try to do my best. Always keep learning. When we stop learning we stop growing, we stop growing and we start to die.

And yes work does not worry about when we are not there, unless you call in on a Holiday or weekend...

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