Many nurses and healthcare facility staff have experienced burnout at one time or another, but what can one do about it? Burnout can be defined as a “physical and emotional exhaustion involving the development of both a negative self-concept and a poor or negative attitude toward one’s job” (Donohoe E, Nawawi A, Wilker L, et al.) and can impact the most stalwart of workers.

Factors contributing to or causing burnout can vary widely from person to person, but there is common ground among these stimuli particularly for those in high stress occupations such as nursing or healthcare. Issues such as inadequate staffing, high risk settings, and unmet needs for employees can significantly impact a person’s ability to be effective in their occupation.

While the list of causes for burnout can be a mile long, there are a plethora of methods for overcoming the feeling of exhaustion with one’s job. It’s helpful to identify the sources of stress in the work environment before pursuing a means to quell them, but if one of those sources is the environment itself, try changing the settings by taking a travel assignment.

Another effective method for battling burnout is continuing education. By furthering one’s education, it is possible to reinvigorate interest in a person’s occupation. However, continuing education does not necessarily mean attending courses at a university. Seminars, conferences, and meeting more experienced professionals in the same area of expertise can spark communication and thereby education.

If you would like to find out more, or you are looking to change your work environment, call us today or apply online and keep your prospects open. You never know what you may discover!