How to Prevent Nursing Burnout

Every day, nurses make a meaningful impact on patients' lives, building strong relationships and contributing to better healthcare outcomes. However, the demanding nature of the job can sometimes lead to burnout—a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion often caused by prolonged stress, overwhelming workloads, and the emotional intensity of caregiving.

By recognizing the signs of burnout, adopting effective strategies, building a supportive network, and prioritizing self-care, nurses can protect their well-being and prevent burnout.

Causes of Nursing Burnout

• Increased demand: Nurses today can face demanding workloads, including higher patient-to-nurse ratios and extended shifts. This can result in physical exhaustion and mental burnout as nurses struggle to provide the level of care their patients deserve while balancing the demands of their jobs.
• Emotional exhaustion: Frequent exposure to trauma, suffering, and loss can result in emotional exhaustion. These challenges were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many nurses to cope with emotional and physical impacts.
• Moral injury: Observing or participating in actions or inactions in the care of patients that are beyond your control and run counter to your moral beliefs.

Signs of Nursing Burnout

• Compassion fatigue: When nurses feel emotionally drained from ongoing exposure to trauma, it can lead to compassion fatigue. This may present as reduced enthusiasm, avoidance of interaction, cynicism or apathy.
• Physical symptoms: Headaches, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, and a weakened immune system are all symptoms of burnout. Cognitive impairments such as difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and a reduced capacity for decision-making and problem-solving are also common.
• Increased irritability: Emotional exhaustion can cause burnout, which can lead to irritability and sadness. Nurses might also feel easily overwhelmed by small tasks that normally seem manageable.

Prevention

• Practice self-care: Prioritize exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Regular exercise, eating nutrient-dense foods, and sleep are essential for maintaining physical well-being and reducing stress.
• Build emotional resilience: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises to support emotional resilience.
• Set boundaries: It’s important to know your boundaries and communicate them to your co-workers and supervisors. Avoid taking on more than you can manage to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Create a Healthy Work-Life Balance

• Disconnect: Disconnecting after work hours and spending time with loved ones can help recharge mental and emotional energy.
• Engage in hobbies and interests: Pursuing personal interests and hobbies outside of nursing can help nurses avoid burnout from work-related stress.

Instructor of clinical nursing Kristina Santory MS, RN, CNEcl, CV-BC, CNRN, believes combating burnout requires a multifaceted approach. “Preventing burnout in nursing necessitates a comprehensive approach involving systemic, organizational, and individual strategies,” she explains. “Leadership that actively supports and recognizes nurses can enhance morale and job satisfaction by fostering open communication and involving nurses in decision-making about patient care and workplace policies.” She also highlights the importance of “improving staffing models, ensuring adequate nurse-to-patient ratios, which can reduce workloads, alleviate stress, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.”

Utilize University Resources

The School of Nursing’s Student Affairs Office is an excellent starting point for connecting with academic, professional, and personal support. They are here to help you prioritize and maintain your mental health.

Some of the key resources available to students include:

• Pet therapy
• University Counseling Center
• Health Promotion Office
• Stress-busting drop-in coping activities

Additionally, the CARE Network offers further support for managing stress, emotional well-being, and balancing personal and professional goals. Through the CARE Network, students can access a wide range of social and wellness services.

As you start your nursing career, the University offers a range of resources to support your well-being, including:

• Well U
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• YoUR Support

By taking advantage of these resources, you can build a strong foundation for mental and emotional health, helping you prevent burnout.

Interim chief nursing executive and assistant professor of clinical nursing, Kate Valcin, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CCRN, CNL, FCCM, is committed to supporting the mental and emotional well-being of nurses. She emphasizes, “Part of being a healthy work environment is that you are not just feeling like I'm going to come to work and do my job and leave, but that you really feel connected to our environment.” Valcin adds, “You can't be a good nurse unless your whole self can come to work every day. We try to work with staff on an individual level to help them be the best nurse that they can be. There are lots of opportunities to work together, learn together, and debrief after a hard thing happens.”

Nursing burnout is a critical issue that significantly impacts nurses' well-being, patient care, and the overall healthcare system. Recognizing the warning signs of burnout is vital to fostering a resilient workforce capable of meeting the diverse needs of patients and communities. By implementing effective strategies to manage stress and build emotional resilience, nurses can prevent burnout and sustain their ability to deliver high-quality care.