How to avoid burnout?

[LunaLovegood567]

So I've been a nurse nearly 5 years. 2 years on a medical/surgical unit, 1 at an outpt surgical center, now nearly 2 on a step down unit. I left the medical/surgical unit d/t burnout. The surgical center was boring and there was bullying. I'm afraid I'm starting to burnout and I don't want to be one of those people who changes jobs every year or two. How do I work through the burnout and combat it? I have hobbies and a social life outside of work. I don't intentionally work a ton of overtime. Any suggestions?

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

What makes your heart sing? Do you know? If not, it's time you find out, by trying new things, having adventures, reading things outside your box. Nursing is an amazing journey, but it takes so much of our hearts. We have to work to restore those bits we give away all day (or night). You need to have an identity beyond RN/LVN/etc. If you have a focus that is a passion for you, then you are better able to leave work, and really leave it. One of my passions is travel, we take numerous small trips throughout the year, but once a year we do a really big trip- and I plan it all year, seeking out there best little restaurants and inns, finding a cooking class we can do there, etc. But if work is your life, it's always on your mind, and you'll burn out. Work should fuel your life, your life shouldn't be the fuel for work. Hope this helps. BTW, it took me MANY years of burn-out to figure this one out. Hope it helps.