Many positions in healthcare are stressful due to long hours, being on call and making important decisions. In 2019 the declared that burnout had reached a “crisis” level among nurses and physicians, with an estimated 35% to 54% of nurses and doctors suffering from burnout and 45% to 60% of medical students and residents expressing the same.
The . They were operating under conditions that were more challenging and dangerous than before. In addition to the physical dangers of catching the virus, healthcare professionals had to deal with emotional strain caused by seeing patients suffer while being limited in the ways they could help.
Just as doctors and nurses battled on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, they will do so for future pandemics and health emergencies. That is why addressing healthcare workers’ mental health is more important than ever. If you work in healthcare, read on for ways to recognize signs of burnout and for tips to manage the stress that comes with the job.
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Healthcare can be a fast-paced and stressful profession, which means it can be easier to miss the signs of burnout. For example, when nurses are busy taking care of others, they might overlook self-care. That, of course, is problematic on an individual level as well as a professional one: If nurses don’t make their own physical and mental health a priority, it can potentially impact patient care and job performance.
The symptoms of burnout may not always be obvious, so it is important to talk with administrators, managers and colleagues to help recognize and address stress and burnout. characterized by three main symptoms:
Burnout does not happen overnight; it builds up over time. Learning to identify the early warning signs is crucial to prevent it from worsening.
may include:
Though you may not experience all the above symptoms, it is important to be on the lookout for any changes in your mental state or behavior that could indicate burnout. Fortunately, there are ways to combat burnout before it becomes severe.
If you’re struggling to cope with stress, it’s important to talk to a mental health professional. However, many find this isn’t the easiest thing to do.
One reason healthcare workers might not seek mental health treatment is the , especially as it relates to impacting their careers.
Despite this challenge, try to remember that mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking professional help can occur in several ways outside of a traditional appointment. Some additional resources available are:
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One of the best ways to prevent burnout is to create healthy work-life boundaries. This means setting limits on how much work you’re willing to do and learning to say “no” when you’re overwhelmed.
Sometimes you may feel pressure to take on an extra shift, but you have to ask yourself, “Is taking this on going to negatively impact other parts of my life?” Finding a healthy balance is crucial to your mental and physical health.
Some tips for creating healthy work-life boundaries are:
Boundaries and limits are crucial for healthcare professionals, and it’s important to remember you can’t be effective at your job if you’re not taking care of yourself first.
Another way to prevent and deal with burnout is to lean on your support system. This can include friends, family, a significant other, co-workers or other people you feel comfortable talking to about your stressors. They can provide much-needed emotional support when you’re overwhelmed.
Tips for leaning on a support system include:
and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your stressors and learn how to deal with them in a healthy way.
Tips for practicing mindfulness include:
It’s important to remember that mindfulness takes practice, so don’t get discouraged if it’s difficult at first. As with any skill, the more you practice mindfulness, the better you’ll get at it.
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While it’s honorable to be dedicated to your job, it’s important to use your vacation time or arrange your schedule so that you have dedicated days off work. Becoming a — someone so committed to the job that they sacrifice their well-being — is not sustainable in the long run. And as a healthcare provider you may particularly experience barriers to using your vacation time, such as:
These are valid concerns, but it’s important to remember that vacation time can be essential for improving your mental health. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to take two weeks off to go to the Caribbean. It could just mean taking a day or two off here and there to unwind at home.
This approach could also mean switching shifts with a co-worker to better accommodate your current mental health needs. Even taking one day off when you’re feeling overwhelmed can help significantly lower stress.
A , experience less intense emotions and have more energy. Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
A healthy lifestyle has many facets, but some of the most important ones for mental health are:
Understanding the distinction between burnout and the need for a different concentration in nursing or even a new career is crucial. While burnout can result from many factors, such as job stress, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should quit. To understand whether you’re experiencing burnout or if it’s time to find a new role in the workforce, ask the following questions:
If the answer was “no” to any of these questions, it might be time to consider a new career. While this may be scary for those with career experience and a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing degree, it doesn’t have to be. There are many alternative careers for registered nurses and even more careers that involve helping people.
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A few tips for switching careers:
With careful planning and research, career-driven nurses and other healthcare providers can be on the right path to finding a new role that’s a better fit. If you’re considering a career change, check out the °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝Â resource page, which offers a career-change guide and many other job search resources.