You're a nurse who's feeling burnt out. How can you reignite your passion for the job?

As a nurse who has experienced burnout firsthand, the first step is to acknowledge it. This can be the hardest step. Second, be honest with your coworkers and manager about your challenges. Burnout does not resolve overnight and may take days to weeks to improve. Take advantage of your employee assistance services and outside services. The key is to prevent burnout by combining a work-life balance, exercise, proper nutrition, and finding a supportive community.

I agree with @Peter Kirby--it starts with recognizing your own burnout, which is surprisingly hard to do. After that, 1. Evaluate your expectations of yourself 2. Decrease your intensity at work, when possible 3. Do nervous system or somatic work to calm your flight or fight response 4. Make a bucket list to affirm your own values and desires 5. Identify energy suckers and draw boundaries 6. Develop helpful mantras (e.g., "Things can change at any time," or "I have survived 100% of my worst days) 7. Confide in 1-2 trusted people other than your leader

Burnout is the term for a mental or physical energy depletion after a period of chronic, unrelieved, job-related stress. Nurses suffering from burnout is troubling and has been a problem through out my career. Causes of burnout particular to the nursing profession often include: Dangerous working conditions and environments, a lack of support or respectful relationships within the administrative team. Unfair wages, shift changes, mandatory overtime, poor staffing ratios, and the responsibility of providing high levels of care over long periods without any support. Burnout is an unsafe condition for both nurses and patients. We need to be able to provide safe care beginning with safe staffing levels. This perception is our reality.

Understand that you are not the only one who is feeling this way. Burnout is experienced by every nurse who has ever given it their all when studying to attain their degree, challenged themselves to deliver the best patient care possible, or committed their free time to study and sit for board examinations—both for their initial license, as well as for specialty certifications. This is all part of becoming a mature, well-developed version of yourself. Burnout is cyclical and can be used as motivation, depending on how you process it.

Do some self-reflection on why you are unhappy, and what happiness looks like for you. I have seen people leave positions or organizations and it is like a weight off of their shoulders. You can see the physical change. I have seen others where it is another "bad leader/leadership" over and over. At this point, more reflection is needed. How much are you contributing to the problem? Are you trying to fit into a role that is not bringing out your best, or your passion? Are you picking similar roles or organizations instead of challenging yourself to find a better fit?

In the demanding role of a nurse, prioritizing self-care isn't selfish—it's essential. Establishing clear boundaries and learning to say no to excessive demands can safeguard your well-being. Delegating tasks, taking breaks, and seeking support when necessary are integral aspects of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Furthermore, investing in your physical and mental health through proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and engaging in activities that bring joy are not just acts of self-preservation but contribute to your effectiveness as a caregiver. Recognizing the importance of your own well-being is crucial for sustaining both your personal and professional resilience.

Leave... It is okay to leave! If you do not feel like you are valued and you are burned out... Leave. There are a multitude of health systems or other organizations that are begging for employment.

As backwards as it may seem, when we put our nursing careers before everything else, including ourselves, that's when we start to feel the true emptiness that burnout encompasses for professionals in the field. We need to take care of ourselves, first and foremost—if we ever expect to be able to provide quality care to our patients.

When i first heard the term self-care i thought it was about massages, manicures, and long bubble baths, and although that can be part of it, there's so much more! Physical, psychological, social, financial, and professional well-being all come into play. When you're at the end of your 3rd shift the last thing you want to do is focus on ANY of that but sleep, exercise, balanced meals, and lots of water are ESSENTIAL. Practicing mindfulness and coping strategies help decrease stress on and off the job. Connecting with loved ones grounds you. Planning professional development and speaking to a financial advisor will help set you up for the future. The point is, self-care empowers you to be the nurse and person you aspire to be!

Taking care of yourself is essential. Making sure your are eating well and fueling your body (beyond the vending machine runs and crackers from the nurses station). Getting some regular exercise and spending time outdoors (take a walk, sit and journal etc) is helpful mentally and physically. Develop good sleep hygiene- no screens before bed, a good routine if you are a night shift worker that optimizes your circadian rhythm needs. Find something you love to do and make time for it- a hobby, an activity you loved as a kid etc.. Finally, say no to an extra shift or call. Its hard to say no, we are wired as people pleasers and to help but you need to put yourself first. If you dont care for you, you cannot care for others.

Mark Twain famously opined “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Nursing can be a difficult job filled with competing demands and priorities. In those moments where you are finding your passion sluggish, take some time for yourself and reorient to your “true north.” For nurses this should be some version of wanting to take care of others. Remember the words of Michael J Fox immortalized during a recent Nursing Week: “When you care enough to do your very best, YOU are a nurse.”

As a vet nurse of 24 years, I experienced your passion can be negatively influenced by pressure to perform & deliver excellent service, as well as demands of clients, and conflict between co-workers. Reconnecting with your purpose will help you to stay focused during difficult times and work under pressure. When you develop new skills, it will help you to feel like you are growing & you will focus on the positive and not only the negative things in your workplace. I am part of a coaching team, that will launch in June 2024 and will be providing purpose coaching as well as helping people to discover skills they did not know they had. Please contact me if you are interested. "When you find your why you will find your way "- John C Maxwell

Sim é importante você ter o autoconhecimento que o fez escolher ser enfermeiro. Pois existe uma variedade de motivos para a realiza??o da escolha profissional, como: mercado de trabalho, paix?o ou identifica??o com a área, falta de op??o, escolha por ideologia, facilidade em disciplinas da área, status da profiss?o e influência de terceiros como pais e professores.

Hay siempre que saber cuál es nuestro foco Que impacto deseamos dejar y donde nos motiva trabajar Mejor que ir dando rumbos y sin foco

Rekindling your passion for nursing involves revisiting the core reasons that led you to choose this profession. Reflect on the intrinsic values that fuel your commitment to nursing and the positive impact you aspire to make. Aligning your work with personal and professional goals can provide renewed purpose. Actively seeking feedback, recognition, and appreciation from patients, colleagues, and managers not only reinforces your contributions but also serves as a powerful motivator. Reconnecting with the profound meaning inherent in nursing can reignite the enthusiasm and dedication essential for a fulfilling career.

Being that I am currently in graduate nursing school, I am fortunate enough to be exposed to opportunities for personal and professional growth on a daily basis. I think networking within your university or cohort is one of the most overlooked forms of broadening your horizons, whether you expand your knowledge base, social skills, experiences, or perspectives—don't overlook the value that each and every one of your classmates (and professors) have to offer.

There are many diverse opportunities for nurses. I've always been fascinated with nutrition, behavior change, and lifestyle. I took a two-year course in functional nutrition, and it blew me away! As an experienced nurse with a nutrition background, I can make an impact as an entrepreneur. I've found nonprofits in the community, as well as health and wellness providers and brands, that can use my skills. Keep learning about your passions, asking questions, finding books/podcasts/articles, attending workshops, and networking with those who are interested in the same things. You may notice that people start coming to you, too.

Sim a nossa profiss?o tem um leque de variedades e op??es, basta antes você analisar, ver com qual área você se identifica, e basta aprimorar. Importante fazer cursos, especializa??es, workshops, com isso requer mais conhecimento, aumenta também sua rede de contatos para troca de experiências e oportunidades. E se mesmo assim n?o se encontrar em algum curso, importante buscar ajuda profissional com um mentor especializado na sua área, para te dar um norte.

Sim super importante é a aprendizagem, frequentar simpósios, workshops, cursos, além de obter mais conhecimento, isso o ajudará a fazer network e conhecer outras pessoas da área também.

I chose to get a licence as a mindset coach and start working on my own. Healthcare industries do not prioritize assistance for their employees when they experience burnout. I had to deal with it myself. Combining skills from nursing and coaching not only strengthen my self-confidence but it opened up to a whole new world in helping people. I found out there a lot of people out there who needed my help from a non- diagnostic perspective. I love what I’m doing now.

It's important to be proactive when you're feeling burnt out. Those feelings may fester and lead to depression and anxiety. Find someone you can trust to discuss your feelings. Coworkers can be helpful because they understand the environment and may provide insight. However, they may not always offer helpful advice, and leave you feeling vulnerable or judged. Employee Assistance Programs offer counseling services that can help you sort out confusion or provide insight into your burnout. Nonprofits like HeartMath Institute and 1440 Multiversity have workshops/retreats that help "heal the healer." Finding support can be the key to forging a path ahead. Stay curious about your feelings and know that help is out there.

My job is my passion, I get fully excited when I help to bring down crying painful people in normal situations. either that pain by trauma, fall, or cut injury, because I promote healing and save his life from going further in danger like may get an infection easily if the wound continues to bleed and open remaining up to the hospital (for stitches) in deep sleeping time if someone disturbs me due to his abdominal pain, I will try what I have availability like first aide treatment before the hospital. I gave them some painkillers or warm bottle therapy.be sure my duties in the and personally living in one labors camp little far away from the hospital. In my burnout position, I always encourage myself by sympathetic feelings.

There is far too much lateral violence in healthcare. Your team should work together and support each other. 1. Answer your call lights! Don’t just sit there at your computer reading Linkedin, right now get up and do patient care! 2. Ask your peers what they need! 3. Answer a call light that has nothing to do with you. Be the nurse you needed when you were struggling, then maybe you will get the help you need when you need it. Stop Bullying! Just stop it, you look like children.

Sim muito importante buscar ajuda, pois tem vários profissionais da área que est?o passando pelo mesmo problema e situa??o que é o burnout. Existem grupos que você pode ir pessoalmente ou on-line, onde você pode conhecer pessoas com o problema e reduzir o isolamento, colocar pra fora o que está de aflingindo, isso vai fazer um bem danado.

Sim fazer parte de uma rede de apoio, onde outros profissionais est?o passando pelo mesmo problema ou situa??es parecidas, irá te ajudar e muito, conversar com eles, expor seus medos e receios.

Feeling burnt out is a signal, not a failure. It's vital to listen to your body and mind. Reigniting your passion starts within. Reflect on Your Why Remember why you chose nursing. This can help reignite your passion. Seek New Challenges: Dive into new specialties or certifications to refresh your enthusiasm for healthcare. Connect with Peers: Share experiences with others in forums or events for support and motivation. Pursue Personal Growth: Invest time in hobbies or interests outside nursing for balance. Take a Break: A pause can be crucial for reflection and planning your next steps. Change is okay. Your career is a journey. Stay true to your goals.

Embrace the possibility that you deserve better. Seek out a position the values your contribution. There is no point to keep fighting for better outcomes when no one cares about your movement.

Acknowledge that your current leadership is uninspiring and does not have the courage or skills to want or create change. You have accumulated different life experiences, which in the right environment, is celebrated. Go where you are appreciated. Can you fill the missing pieces that you see by starting your own business as a consultant or advisor?

A deeper part of burnout can be a misalignment with where you are at versus where you feel the need to be in your nursing career. For example, the burnout I felt in bedside was due to the process of working towards my goals of becoming a Masters level Nurse Informatics Specialist. One of the greatest parts of nursing is the plethora of transferable skills. In essence, the skills of a nurse can extend far past the bedside. Nursing has stalled out when it comes to high patient ratios, and arguably low pay for the level of stress you must deal with on a regular basis. When feeling burnout, you simply must ask yourself the difficult question: "Why am I burnt out and what change will bring my passion back?"

As a nurse it is important to recognize that there are so many different opportunities outside of traditional bedside jobs. Consider what your passions are and what things in your life currently take priority. One of the reasons I left hospital nursing was to have more time and flexibility for my kids and their schedules. Consider looking into health care start ups, alternative nursing roles with more flexibility, PRN positions which generally have a higher hourly rate but allow you to make your own schedule or even think about starting your own business. While I understand taking the leap into something new can be daunting, sometimes it is the change we need to get our selves out of the cycle of burnout.

The beauty of nursing is that there are so many paths you can take to find your passion. Bedside nursing is not the end all be all that most nursing schools preach. You will find your path if you search for it.

L'épuisement n' arrive pas d'un coup mais petit à petit parfois c'est l'environnement du travail qui devient trop en plus de la vie privée qu'on arrive plus à gérer Il faudrait pourquoi pas changer de service et surtout essayer de prendre un congé pour essayer de prendre soin de soi en partageant des moments avec nos proches et famille..... Et surtout il faudrait aussi éviter d'aller jusqu'à l'épuisement avant de faire tout cela sinon l'infirmière n'arrive plus à donner le meilleur de lui même

In my experience, tackling nurse burnout is a culmination of all of the suggestions listed. It includes identifying the root cause to determine if it’s burnout or perhaps compassion fatigue; engaging in professional self care to ensure your wellbeing is not further compromised; remembering your why and focusing on what motivated you to become a nurse; talk with HR or a career coach to see if there are opportunities to try something new; reach out to your EAP or a trained mental health practitioner to discuss the emotional implications related to being occupationally unwell; and re-evaluate your career path. Nursing continues to evolve and we should all take the time to explore everything the field has to offer.

If you're a nurse feeling burned out, it's okay to step away and pursue your next passion. Don't let the investment of time, money, and effort in your nursing degree hold you back. Nursing will always be there, and you'll always carry that valuable knowledge with you—for yourself and your loved ones. Trust that the universe has your back as you explore new paths and embrace what truly fulfills you.

If you are feeling burnout, it's time to take a break. Take some PTO's or some time off. Go on a nature walk or do something you absolutely love. Then come back with a positive mindset that will diminish your stress immensely. Take breaks regularly. Remember that not only a physical break is needed but a mental one as well.