Frequently Asked Friday: Tips for Surviving Nurse Burnout

Nurse burnout is on the rise.  According to a national nursing engagement survey released in April 2019, 15.6% of nurses reported feelings of burnout. Emergency room nurses were identified as being at a higher risk for burnout, and 20% of ER nurses reported feeling unengaged. Interestingly, 50% of nurses who reported feeling burnout in their current position also reported no immediate plans to leave their organization. Another 41% of nurses reported being “unengaged.” 

Tips for surviving nurse burnout

So, with the number going up, many of the members of our Facebook group have reached out and asked for tips on handling or surviving nurse burnout.  We have taken some of the top tips and put them into this article to help you with nurse burnout. 

Switch Specialties or Floors

If you are getting burned out, you may want to consider changing your specialty or the floor you are on.   You may even want to try something other than bedside or floor nursing.   It may be that you need a change in “scenery.” 

Take a Break

 We all need breaks at some point.   It doesn't have to be a vacation; you could take some time off between your travel nurse assignments.   You could take the opportunity to go back home and visit family and friends. This option does require having some money saved up, but if you can take a short break, or however long you can afford, it may be just what you need.

Find a Hobby or Do Something for Yourself

Try to occupy your off time with things you enjoy doing.  You need to make sure you take time for yourself to do something you enjoy.  It doesn’t have to be anything expensive; it just needs to be something you enjoy doing.  Selfcare can be something you do for yourself.  Get a massage or a pedicure if that is something you are into.   As our member said, if you feel burned out, don’t pick up an extra shift; money isn’t worth making the situation worse. 

There are many other options to help survive nurse burnout, not every option will work for every person, but if you feel burned out, we hope this list at least gives you a start.  These articles have great information and tips if you would like more information on surviving nurse burnout or self-care.

• Overcoming Travel Nurse Burnout – 5 Lessons I Learned On the Road
• Phoenix Rising – Nurse Burnout, Rising from the Ashes
• 4 Self-Care Tips for Travel Nurses While on Assignment