Over stressed or burned out? What's the difference?

[Oedgar]

I have posted many times in the Ambulatory thread. I am in an impossible work situation.. in a clinic. I first thought it was my own inadequacy, but others there have validated that my work environment is very, very bad. I anticipate having a graceful way out, likely in August (though no firm date yet). This has been going on for two years.

So how does one tell the difference between burnout and stress? I am exhausted, anxious most of the time even when I am not at work. My hair is falling out, and I am just frazzled all the time at work now... speaking to fast, stumbling over words, misplacing things. I also have a low Vitamin D level of 13 and have begun supplements. I reached a point yesterday, after 4 days of managing clinic with both our patients and handling the labs and problems of other doc's patients while he and his nurse are on vacation... that I just couldn't stand the idea of speaking to one more patient. Fortunately this was at the end of the day and I got through it.

Also, if this is a contributing factor...I have not yet had an entire M-F week off since I have worked there. So I run like mad in this high stress situation, with only a couple days off here and there. This upcoming week I actually have an entire week off.

At this point I am not sure it will help?

I gather that burnout is more a situation of being tired of caring about patients or feeling resentful. I can't say I am there... yet. I really enjoy most of our patients... just don't enjoy being overworked.

Any thoughts?

[Rokufox]

I struggle with this too...over-stress vs burnout, and it almost feels to me like they are a cycle linked together. I work 12 hour shifts and have 4 days off a week...but it sure doesn't feel like it. I feel like I'm always working, and I think I'm so exhausted on my days off that it doesn't really feel like I have them (for example, work 2, off 2, work 3, off 2, work 3...). I never fully recover from the exhaustion...and I think that may be what burnout is...you are being sucked of energy faster than you can regenerate it.

[Oedgar]

Roku.... I noticed this in my husband when he worked 12 hour shifts (rotating plus required OT). He was always either working, trying to sleep, wishing he could sleep, or grouchy.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I guess I haven't thought at what point stress becomes full out burnout. I know many of us reach the point of it at one point or another. I believe for each person it is a bit different. For me I think it is when I would reach the point of just not caring. Sure I would still take care of my patients, but would just go through the motions of my day putting only the bare minimum effort in to my day. I did up and quit one job that I felt was dangerous to myself and for the patients. I don't recommend that except for extreme cases. Luckily my previous employer took me back. My pride didn't stop me from escaping that hell.

[mursymurse]

I struggle with this too...over-stress vs burnout, and it almost feels to me like they are a cycle linked together. I work 12 hour shifts and have 4 days off a week...but it sure doesn't feel like it. I feel like I'm always working, and I think I'm so exhausted on my days off that it doesn't really feel like I have them (for example, work 2, off 2, work 3, off 2, work 3...). I never fully recover from the exhaustion...and I think that may be what burnout is...you are being sucked of energy faster than you can regenerate it.

I have never understood this. Working 3 days a week and always feeling like you are working. Oh my god give me a break. You have more days off than you work, get over it. 3 12's for most americans (other than deadbeats) is a light schedule. What is keeping you feeling like you are always working? Emails? Phone calls? If you feel overworked or "always at work" with 4 days off per week you are doing things wrong. Sure I could imagine that if you work 6 days straight then that next day being a waste but come on you spend a majority of time away from work.

Burnout is real. Burnout is feeling exhausted and a long term disinterest in what you are currently doing. Stress is a natural reaction to work. Sure long term stress can lead to burnout but holy crap if you are stressed working 3 days a week you probably would be burned out flipping burgers at mcdonalds.