Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™ Beat the Burnout Challenge, sponsored by the American Nurses Foundation
Nurse burnout is a major concern in the health care industry. According to a recent study, nurses were more likely than other health care professionals to have moderate to high degrees of burnout. Contrary to what non-nurses might assume, feeling burned out isn’t a sign of weakness or a lack of dedication; it's a reaction to the overwhelming demands placed on nurses.
"Burnout is not the failure of an individual to cope; it is an expected reaction to unbalanced demands and resources,” says Richard Westphal, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, creator of Stress First Aid.
Burnout comes from prolonged and unaddressed stress in the workplace. The World Health Organization says that it shows up in several ways:
- Mental and physical exhaustion
- Emotional detachment from your job
- Increased cynicism toward work
- Lower effectiveness and productivity
Long hours, emotionally taxing situations, and systemic challenges make burnout more prevalent among nurses. And the pandemic made it even worse, causing more anxiety, exhaustion, and cynicism. One recent study has shown that 56% of nurses are experiencing burnout.
We know you can’t control everything about your job. You likely can’t change your hours, your patient load, or your coworkers. But you can leverage certain tools you may have at your disposal.
Through generous support from the United Health Foundation, the American Nurses Foundation has launched Nurse Well-Being: Building Peer and Leadership Support to help nurses and address burnout, manage stress, and increase confidence. Along with resources from the Well-Being Initiative, this challenge will offer tips to support you in reducing stress and burnout.
Though This challenge ended on June 28, we invite you to try it on your own or with a nurse you know! Get started here.
IMPORTANT: Burnout can be a serious issue. Contact your health care or mental health provider if you have any concerns. If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. When you are in crisis, there is help available.
You are not alone. Make the call.
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How are you doing in the challenge?
This challenge was really tricky! Within the last couple months, I started a new full-time job on top of 1-2 clinicals per week while trying to maintain being a good mother AND planning a wedding. This challenge was a great reminder of the importance of rest and how we can't serve others if we don't take the times to reset ourselves!
@sadrianne_21 You have a lot on your plate!!! I hope this challenge gave you some ideas how to ensure you get the time for yourself you deserve!!
I had to stop for a minute. I needed a break from helping others and make time for me to take care of myself. For the past 6 months I have been neglectful to me. I would never treat my patients with negligence so why myself? I'm currently working toward improving my health while I continue to develop my new agenda going forward with my career. I tell my caregivers daily, that you can't take care of someone else if you're not taking care of yourself. Now I'm definitely practicing what I preach. This type of support is extremely helpful. Take care everyone!
@Nellie Perfectly said! And great work taking that step back for yourself!
30 year nurse here bridging the gap between front line and administration. 66.5% of hours at bedside in a busy rural ICU, 33.5% in an administrative/supervisor role (which consists of wearing multiple hats: audits, multiple process improvement teams, EHR superuser, professional development, SDM Councils, general resource etc). I tend to revert to procrastination and avoidance mode when I'm overdoing it. Yet, I still seem to eek by, feeling as though I'm half arsing it 99% of the time and getting Kudos and praise for the work I do. Lately, I'm tired. I go home feeling like there is still a million and one things to do or that I should have addressed.
I'm here because I know I'm on the road to burn-out and need to do a U-turn. 🛴
Mental and physical burnout has been and ongoing challenge. I had to learn to prioritize my work. I intentionally had to reduce doing overtime and started taking evening walks. Daily meditation also has helped me reduce my stressors.
Prioritization is Key. Am glad you find a way to reduce your stressors.
@Evelyne Excellent changes!!
First and foremost, I had to acknowledge that I was exhausted and needed to take a break. I distanced myself from all the stressors and focused more on my mental health. I reevaluated my goals and focused more to the most important things.
great measures to reduce burnout!
Great work @Judith. M
Taking care of myself in all aspects, emotionally, physically, and spiritually have helped me find my inner peace and strength. Then, I am able to take care of others.
Great ways to reduce burnout!
Just say this email and decided to join. I stepped away from the bedside just over a year ago, but nursing education has it's own stressors. I can always use some fresh inspiration for how to stay engaged and handle stress.
I hope you find ways to reduce your stressors. Am you joined.
@Jill Prahm, RN Glad you can join!!
After Covid, I felt very burnt out. Really contemplating quitting many times. Pushed through and for the last year, we have changed to 10 hour shifts so I have a day off during the week. This has really helped with managing work/life balance, reduced the amount of PTO used, and helped with burn out. Excited to see how others manage burn out and learning some new tips/tricks
Can always use some fresh ideas to destress.
I need a mental refreshing in order to keep going. I am hopeful I will be inspired, encouraged and uplifted to realize my purpose. I am ready to see what is ahead.
@Punkin1 You definitely sound ready for a reset! I hope this challenge helps!