Nursing Burnout: What It Is and How to Prevent It?

Nurse burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion caused by sustained work-related stressors. This might include long hours, the pressure of quick decision-making and the strain of caring for patients who may have poor outcomes.

As you face these compounding factors, you may start feeling disengaged and detached, the first warning signs of nurse burnout. If you don’t address this situation with good self- -care, nursing burnout can lead to feelings of cynicism, hopelessness and even depression.

What is the Number One Cause of Nurse Burnout?

According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an occupational phenomenon. It is not specific to nursing. Professionals in any industry, from teaching to engineering, can suffer from this type of exhaustion caused by unrealistic expectations, lack of sleep and other work-related stressors. However, due to their high-stress work environment, nurses face a greater risk of nursing burnout.

Increased Demand and Staffing Shortages

Another contributing factor to nursing burnout is the growing demand for nurses as the Baby Boomer generation ages and the prevalence of chronic disease increases. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for registered nurses will grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033.

Lack of Sleep

One of the largest nursing burnout risks is a chronic lack of sleep. This is particularly common for nurses who work long hours and consecutive shifts.

One particular study found two alarming nurse burnout statistics related to sleep. First, only 27.2% of nurses got at least six hours of sleep before shifts. Secondly, it noted that 29.1% of shifts were worked by nurses with less than six hours of sleep, which is associated with higher error risks – comparable to the impairment caused by alcohol intoxication.

High-Stress Environment

Every nursing role specialty brings challenges, but some specialties are naturally more stressful than others. If you work in the emergency department with telemetry or intensive care, you may have to deal with combative patients, traumatic injuries, ethical dilemmas and a high mortality rate, all of which are linked to high-stress levels and an increased risk of nursing burnout.

In a study published in Psycho-Oncology, 30% of oncology nurses reported emotional exhaustion, while 35% reported feelings of low personal performance – both nurse burnout symptoms.

Lack of Support

If your workplace lacks a culture of good teamwork and collaboration practices, nursing burnout may be more prevalent. Collaboration is important in most professions. In nursing, it can save lives.

Poor teamwork – characterized by conflict, sub-par communication, lack of cooperation and peer bullying – can create an unpleasant work environment. It can also lead to medical errors and higher levels of nursing burnout.

Emotional Strain from Patient Care

Patient care can be one of the most rewarding aspects of nursing, as you make connections with patients and feel the satisfaction of helping them get better. If you work in the ICU or another high-stress environment like ER or trauma, the emotional letdowns of dealing with lower recovery and higher mortality rates can lead to intense emotional burden and increased rates of nursing burnout.

(abbreviated)

Slovníček

exhaustion – vyčerpání
pressure – tlak
outcomes – výsledky
hopelessness – beznaděj
suffer – trpět
expectations – očekávání
demand – poptávka
employment – zaměstnanost
lack of sleep – nedostatek spánku
shifts – směny
at least – alespoň
comparable – srovnatelný
environment – prostředí
naturally – přirozeně
mortality rate – úmrtnost
support – podpora
workplace – pracoviště
collaboration – spolupráce
bullying – šikanování
recovery – zotavení

Source: UNIVERSITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES. Nursing Burnout: What It Is and How to Prevent It? 2024. [online]. Available from: https://www.usa.edu/blog/nurse-burnout/.

 

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