Nurse burnout and emotional exhaustion are serious threats to not only nursing staff, but to the patients they care for and the organization as a whole. In some studies, over 50% of nurses report that they experience moderate burnout and pessimism. While some nurses will bounce back and become more resilient themselves, organizations can strive to make the workplace a healthier and more positive place.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a harmful physical and emotional state that is generally characterized by three classic symptoms of exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. Many nurses may experience burnout by providing the best care they can over long periods of time. Eventually they may become cynical or negative about being a nurse. Burnout can cause a cascade of professional difficulties in communication, teamwork, attendance, and performance as well as personal problems including lack of motivation, feelings of guilt, and poor self-esteem.
Does Resilience Help?
A much-researched concept in nursing, resilience is thought to be a personal strength that can help nurses “bounce back”. It involves an individual’s ability to overcome adversity and decrease stress, improve coping and adapt to various situations as they arise. It can be captured by the statement “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. While resilience skills can be learned by oneself, it might be of greater benefit when organizations develop resilience training for their nursing staff.
Workplace Resilience Training
Because burnout will be an ever-present and concerning issue for nurses, companies and organizations may consider developing a structured resilience skills training program and offer it regularly. One element of such a program is to understand and be able to measure resilience and burnout as a part of the corporate employee wellness program. Another important piece is to assess the workplace environment and identify factors associated with stress and burnout. Other things to consider for an effective resilience training program can include:
- Staffing levels
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
- Debriefing after traumatic events
- Recognition and reward
- Caseload
- Leadership
Although it will take time and effort, such a program may help new hires and seasoned nurses alike. For example, research has shown that younger, female nurses working day shifts are more likely to experience stress overload and burnout, and as a result, leave the organization.
Final Thoughts on Nurse Burnout and Resilience
Nurses experience more than their fair share of stress and burnout, which can affect their physical and emotional health. It can also lead to negative outcomes in patient care and satisfaction as well as the organization as a whole. Staff turnover is also associated with burnout. One remedy for this problem may be the development of resilience training programs. The benefits of the program should hopefully outweigh efforts to run it year-round.