About Nursing Burnout Occur

Caring for others is a vital part of nursing, but sometimes the demands of that care can be crushing. A nurse can become emotionally and/or physically exhausted, sometimes to the point where she can no longer continue working---a phenomenon called nursing burnout. The phenomenon of "nursing burnout" is not a new one---nursing has always been a stressful profession--but recent developments have brought nursing burnout into the spotlight.

Identification

There are many signs of nursing burnout. Physical exhaustion is one obvious sign--some nurses become literally too tired to go on. A nurse may be constantly angry with himself, co-workers or friends and family. She may become easily upset and cry often. A once enthusiastic nurse may no longer able to take pleasure from the daily acts of nursing and stop putting his full effort into his job.

Effects

When nurses "burn out," it isn't just dissatisfaction--burnout can change the body as well. This leads to nurses who are tending the sick while they themselves are ill, which accelerates the rate of burnout. High stress can affect the emotions, leading to conditions such as depression and anxiety. It can even lead to physical ailments, such as high blood pressure and muscle pain. Stress also weakens the immune system. Burnout can also lead to drug or alcohol addiction.

Considerations

What causes nursing burnout? It seems simple---nursing is stressful and there are too few outlets for that stress. A review of studies of nursing burnout found that a lack of good coping strategies for dealing with stress put nurses at higher risk of burnout. Poor organization and hostile management can also lead to feelings of hopelessness. Nurses who work in high-stress areas, such as oncology and neo-natal wards, are more prone to burnout.

History

While it's not a certainty, it seems as if nursing burnout is becoming more common as nursing becomes a more stressful profession. In the past few years, there has been a shortage of nurses, so remaining nurses have to do more work. Advances in medical technology can work medical miracles, but nurses are now responsible for tending both to multiple pieces of machinery and to sicker patients. In addition, nurses must deal with the increasing bureaucracy of the American health care system---they may spend more time with paper than with patients.

Prevention/Solution

Unfortunately, many of the problems that cause nurse burnout are byproducts of the health care system. However, there are ways to combat nurse burnout. Nursing support groups can help nurses feel empowered, and employee-assistance programs can provide counseling. Further education may lead to new career opportunities and spark old interests. If it's at all possible, nurses can cut back on hours, switch to a part-time position or find a job with a less stressful atmosphere.