Understanding Nurse Burnout to Create a Healthier Healthcare Community

It is no secret that nursing is an intensive and demanding field. Spending long hours at the hospital as a med-surg nurse, or handling emergencies as a critical care nurse, the reality is the same: nurses have to be ready to handle whatever comes their way. Unfortunately, because of the demands of the field, many nurses experience burnout on the job.

Burnout, which is a condition in which nurses become mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted due to chronic stress, affects many nurses in a variety of ways. Many develop chronic fatigue, mental health conditions, and some even decide to leave the bedside completely. That’s concerning not only for nurses, but also for the healthcare systems that rely on them to support patient care every day.

How to Recognize Nurse Burnout

According to a report from the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and Laudio, there are predictors that nurse leadership can use to identify burnout. These predictors were defined by looking at workforce data for over 95,000 nurses throughout the United States. 

Eight predictors of nurse burnout include:

1. Calling out for an unscheduled absence for more than 10 percent of all shifts
2. Floating for over 20 percent of all hours worked
3. Serving as a charge for over 35 percent of shifts
4. Not taking paid time off (PTO) in the previous six months
5. Arriving early for more than half of all shifts
6. Skipping breaks for more than eight percent of shifts
7. Leaving late for more than half of all shifts
8. Precepting for over 20 percent of hours worked

These signs of nurse burnout are important to look for because they can reveal a different challenges. Either there isn’t enough time to get work done within regularly scheduled hours, a nurse is feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, or there is a conflict in expectations about the responsibilities of a role. 

What Contributes to Nurse Burnout?

Nurse burnout is a direct result of chronic stress in the workplace. Some of the contributing factors may include:

• Long shifts
• High patient loads
• Insufficient staffing
• A lack of autonomy
• Emotional demands of the job

These are just some of the factors that might play a role in burnout; every nurse is different, and what affects them may vary. What’s important is for leadership to identify causes within their workforce and to start taking steps to mitigate them. For example, if a nurse is regularly staying longer than their set shift, leadership may need to consider hiring an additional nurse or breaking up the shifts in a different way to encourage more rest and time away from work. 

The Consequences of Unmanaged Nurse Burnout

Unmanaged nurse burnout carries significant consequences, not only for the nurses themselves but also for patients and the broader healthcare system. When burnout goes unaddressed, nurses may experience compassion fatigue, decreased job satisfaction, and mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression.

This chronic stress can lead to increased absenteeism, higher turnover rates, and even mistakes in patient care, compromising safety and outcomes. The emotional toll often affects the compassionate connection nurses have with their patients, negatively impacting the quality of care delivered. Failing to prioritize and support nurse mental health places an unsustainable burden on healthcare teams and can lead to a less resilient and effective healthcare environment.

How Nurses Can Overcome Burnout

The good news is that it is possible to address nurse burnout and promote a healthier work environment. To do that, consider the following:

1. Prioritizing a healthy work-life balance. Work schedules should allow nurses an appropriate amount of time off from work. By having more work-life balance, nurses can have a personal life away from work and the opportunity to rest and recover. 
2. Opportunities for growth and development. Participating in mentorship programs, enrolling in continuing education courses, or joining professional development initiatives can help you feel more fulfilled in your career. By investing in your own growth, you can increase your job satisfaction, build confidence, and reignite your passion for making a difference in healthcare.
3. Adequate staff numbers. Maintaining an adequate staff-to-patient ratio is crucial for both nurse well-being and patient care. By prioritizing proper staffing, healthcare organizations not only protect their nurses from burnout but also contribute to better patient outcomes and increased satisfaction for both staff and the people they serve.
4. Providing necessary resources and support. This job can be difficult. Nurses deserve to feel supported and that they have a safe space to seek assistance or express their concerns. Working with organizations like Operation Happy Nurse to build community and ensuring a focus on nurse mental health helps. 

Additionally, nurses can help prevent burnout by focusing on self-care. Taking time for activities like meditation and exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and seeking professional therapy can all be great relief for stressed nurses. 

Prioritizing Mental Health to Prevent Burnout

Mental health is a key component of nurse burnout, so it needs to be closely monitored. Healthcare occupations are stressful, and when that stress is combined with a significant risk of workplace violence, it is not surprising that so many nurses feel burned out without strong support. 

Healthcare organizations can do this in several ways, from connecting the nursing community and implementing support in the workplace to ensuring all nurses feel valued and have support when dealing with emotionally or physically challenging situations at work. 

Build a Better Healthcare Community with SHC

Nurses are the core of today’s healthcare system and are a vital part of patient care. At Supplemental Health Care, we believe in supporting nurses to reduce burnout, so they can keep doing what they do best: providing care to in-need individuals with the compassion and focus necessary to make the greatest impact. Visit our about us page to learn more, search jobs, or contact us today to learn more about our world-class support for nurses.