Burnout is the state of feeling chronically exhausted, usually caused by excessive stress mixed with a lack of recovery time. Burnout is a huge issue in many professions, and the healthcare industry is particularly susceptible to it. It is common in healthcare professions because our jobs are fast-paced, the stakes are high, and there is minimal downtime for catch-up, much less relaxation.
What does burnout look like?
Most nurse practitioners will experience burnout at some point in their careers. As a younger NP, it takes self advocacy and time management skills to mitigate and cope with burnout. Chronic stress can present itself in many ways. Here, we will go over the most common symptoms so you can learn to recognize these warning signs in your coworkers and yourself.
How does chronic stress physically manifest?
Physical signs of burnout can include fatigue and exhaustion, frequent illness or worsened immune system, body aches, headaches, insomnia or poor sleep, and loss of appetite. Burnout can be caused by lack of recovery between workdays of excessive stress.
What does being burnt out feel like?
Emotional signs of burnout include feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, apathy or disengagement, dissociation or numbness, self-doubt, and cynicism. If you catch yourself feeling distant, dissatisfied, or volatile, these may be warning signs that you’re burnt out.
How do I tell my colleagues that I’m experiencing burnout?
Behavioral signs of burnout can include reduced job performance, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, worsened interpersonal communication skills, and losing one’s temper. Everyone has an off-day now and again. Maybe a colleague is known to get “hangry” or to be short if they haven’t had their coffee. But if these negative personality changes seem more and more frequent or irreversible, it may be due to burnout.
Related: Practice Ready Package
How can nurse practitioners avoid getting burnt out?
There are many strategies nurse practitioners can learn to build resilience against burnout and cope more effectively with the many stressors and challenges in a job in healthcare. These include time management, self-care, and communication techniques.
How does communication combat burnout?
Improving communication at work can often help reduce the stress that leads to burnout. In healthcare, poor communication between colleagues can literally be a matter of life or death. Working to have better communication techniques and protocols can minimize unnecessary work stress, save time, and help you feel more appreciated and cohesive in your team.
Next, communicating openly about your feelings of burnout is another essential way to improve burnout. You may feel that being burnt out is your fault, that if you tried harder or “sucked it up,” that you could overcome it. In fact, these negative thoughts are just getting in your way. Speaking your truth about your struggles can help you feel seen, and it is likely you are not alone. Nurse practitioners must communicate effectively to inspire trust, teamwork, and respect. This honesty will help you build positive connections with coworkers, which is in itself a great strategy for negating burnout.
Finally, it is essential that you talk with your supervisor honestly about how you are feeling. Burnout is usually not about the person experiencing it: it is a systemic issue regarding work culture, hours, communication, job expectations, and more. It is important to be open about your experiences as a nurse practitioner in your specific role. The chances are high that you are not the only person at your workplace struggling with burnout. Speaking up and voicing your struggle can help you make the changes you need, but it will probably also help your colleagues.
How nurse practitioners can practice self care on the job
Taking care of yourself on the job is essential for being able to take care of others, and self care doesn’t have to mean a fancy spa day or weekend retreat. There are many ways to improve your daily experience through small acts or thoughts throughout the normal course of your work day.
Practicing self care at work means remembering to drink water, keeping a protein bar handy for when you need it, and taking a quiet moment now and again away from the stress. Outside of working hours, it is also helpful to try to get quality sleep and find some time for a brief workout so you can boost endorphin levels.
Self care also means reframing the negative thoughts that can often contribute to burnout. Being a nurse practitioner is hard: work is stressful, lives are at stake, and people aren’t always grateful. Being mindful of your experience, so you can remain positive and express gratitude, can help shift your mindset away from stress. When you find yourself complaining or harping on a negative patient interaction, you can vent with a friend or colleague and then shift your attention to the one thing going right in your day. Gratitude and mindfulness have been shown to improve moods and help develop positive outlooks.
Time management tips for burnout prevention
Between staff meetings, rounds, paperwork and other logistical responsibilities, it can seem like there is no time for any self care during work. Nurse practitioners often get overwhelmed and develop burnout due to a shortage of free time during the work day. Many feel rushed while completing important tasks that affect care outcomes, which may endanger patient safety.
It is essential to make time for yourself, even as little as five minutes, in order to recenter and prepare to get through the rest of the day. Use your break time to refuel, practice breathing exercises, and find some peace. When you find yourself becoming overwhelmed, ask for help. Communicating your needs effectively will make you feel like your team has your back. You can take five minutes in a quiet room to meditate, ground yourself, and return with a little less stress.
It’s normal to be stressed in any healthcare role, especially one as important as being a nurse practitioner. Everyone experiences overwhelm at times, and it’s how you cope with it that allows you to avoid burnout and bounce back. Asking for help, finding free minutes to relax, and taking care of yourself are essential for keeping burnout at bay as a nurse practitioner.
Earn CE hours and gain clinical confidence with our Practice Ready Package (free with Passport Membership)!
