Burnout in Nursing: You’re Not Alone
By Armaan Amlani-Kurji, Registered Nurse, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Therapist Intern
Why is burnout so high in the nursing profession?
You likely chose the nursing profession because of your desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Nurses are driven by compassion and a commitment to the well-being of their patients. However, these noble values that draw individuals to nursing often clash with the harsh realities of the healthcare environment. This may give rise to a unique set of challenges that can lead to burnout.
What are the signs of nursing burnout?
Physical and Emotional Exhaustion
Burnout can manifest as a sense of physical and emotional fatigue that is not the typical work-related tiredness. Nurses experiencing burnout may find themselves feeling constantly drained, both physically and emotionally. You may for example, lack the energy to engage in your hobbies outside of nursing or stop engaging in self-care, such as eating healthily and getting physical exercise.
Decreased Sense of Accomplishment
When the passion and dedication that initially drove you to pursue nursing begins to wane, this may indicate burnout. This sense of not feeling as accomplished by the work you do can manifest as feelings of inadequacy and a decline in performance. You may notice yourself taking longer than normal to complete tasks for your shift, or you may even start to question why you entered into the profession in the first place.
Detachment
Burnout often gives rise to a negative outlook and a sense of detachment from both colleagues and patients. If you are experiencing burnout you may find yourself adopting a more negative and dismissive attitude towards work. You may start to recognize signs such as making medication errors, showing up late to your shift, or looking at your day from a “to-do list” perspective rather than being mindful and present throughout your day.
Disrupted Sleep Patterns and Physical Health Concerns
The toll of burnout usually extends beyond the workplace into your personal life. You may notice it impacting your sleep patterns and overall physical health. Persistent sleep disturbances (like insomnia, nightmares or many wakings at night), headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal issues, and repeated illnesses may be indicative of your body’s response to the stress induced by burnout.
Isolation
Burnout can lead to withdrawal and isolation as you grapple with feelings of being overwhelmed. You may withdraw by not being as talkative to your colleagues or patients. You may not be as responsive to communication from colleagues, or participate as much during interdisciplinary team meetings, for example. This may radiate outside of nursing and can result in distancing yourself from friends and family.
Recognizing these signs early on can allow nurses to take proactive steps to address burnout and all its manifestations. If you are a nurse, you have likely experienced a world that only other nurses can fully understand. Highlighting and addressing the very real occupational hazard of burnout in nursing is crucial to sustainably providing care while honouring our own well-being.
Looking for some support?
If you are interested in learning about how everwell can support you, take a look at our upcoming open group for nurses called Reduce Burnout and Improve Mental Health. The group begins Jan. 10th, 2024 so sign up today! Alternatively, you may be interested in individual counselling with one of our experienced and nursing-aware therapists. If so, you can click below to book a free consultation.
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