How to manage stress in your career as a new nurse

AVOIDING BURNOUT

By: Neva Brenneman, Brigett Gillespie, & Angela Vasco

WHAT IS NURSE BURNOUT?

“Burnout is a depletion of energy, in which personal resources seem to be at an end, leaving a continuing sense of helplessness and negativism in the face of normal everyday events” (Dolan 1987).

INCIDENCE OF BURNOUT

Study in Medical Care nursing journal showed:

• More than 1 in 5 hospital staff nurses say they intend to leave their hospital jobs within 1 year

Intend to leave

No intent to leave

Hospital Staff Nurses Intent to Leave

INCIDENCE OF BURNOUT CONT.

SIGNS OF BURNOUT

Warning signs:• Feelings of vague anxiety• Apathy• Fatigue• Boredom• Disinterest with your job

Mild symptoms include warning

signs plus:• Reduced emotional control• Sleep disturbances• Muscle aches• Loss of energy and focus• Nausea• Social withdrawal• Excessive fatigue

SIGNS OF BURNOUT CONT.

Severe symptoms:• Serious career, personal, family

issues

• Skin rashes

• Increased alcohol intake

• Severe migraines

• Excessive irritability

• Development of irrational fears

• Rigidity in thought processes

• Loss of appetite

• Muscle weakness

• High blood pressure

• Decreased libido

• Complete social withdrawal

SIGNS OF BURNOUT CONT.

Debilitating symptoms (Can ruin employment and future career opportunities)• Symptoms at this phase lead to a very ill individual who

suffers emotionally, mentally and physically, and may include:• Coronary disease• Diabetes• Heart attack• Asthma• Complete agitation• Constant tension• Hostility • Suicidal thoughts• Uncontrollable crying

CAUSES OF NURSE BURNOUT

• Understaffing• Mandatory overtime• Challenging emotional situations• Heavy workloads• Overwhelming responsibility• Power issues• Role conflict• Rotating shifts

ORGANIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR PREVENTING BURNOUT

• Stress management programs• Counseling availability• Regular staff meetings and discussions• Adequate staffing• Group therapy for staff on difficult issues• Flexibility in scheduling• Scheduled rotation of unit assignments

STRESS MANAGEMENT

From APA’s “Stress in America 2009”

WAYS TO PREVENT BURNOUT

• Keeping active outside of work• Relaxation exercises• Voicing complaints about coworkers when appropriate• Adequate personal time • Adequate rest• Prioritization of tasks• Recognizing your own limitations• Eat a balanced nutritional diet• Make time for relationships outside of work

AROMATHERAPY• The use of essential oils extracted from plants and

herbs to treat physical imbalances, as well as to achieve psychological and spiritual well-being. Oils are inhaled, applied externally, or ingested.

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

• Yoga & pilates

• Tai-Chi

• Deep breathing &

progressive relaxation

• Acupuncture

REFERENCESAmerican Holistic Nurses Association. (2011). Holistic stress management for nurses. Retrieved June 13, 2011 from www.ahna.org/Resources/StressManagement/tabid/1229/Default.aspx

American Psychological Association. (2009). Stress in America: Mind/body health: For a healthy mind and body, talk to a psychologist. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress-exec-summary.pdf

Dolan, N. “The relationship between burnout and job satisfaction in nurses.”  Journal of Advanced Nursing, v. 12 issue 1, 1987, p. 3.

McHugh, M., Kutney-Lee, A., Cimiotti, J., Sloane, D., & Aiken, L. (2011). Nurses' widespread job dissatisfaction, burnout, and frustration with health benefits signal problems for patient care. Health Affairs,30(2), 202-210.

Schneider, M.A. (2007). Extinguish burnout. Nursing Management, 38(3). 44-48.

Trossman, S. (1999). Stress! It’s everywhere! And it can be managed! American Nurses Association, Retrieved from http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/TAN/1999/Stress.aspx

Vahey, D., Aiken, L., Sloane, D., Clarke, S., & Vargas, D. (2004). Nurse burnout and patient satisfaction. Medical Care, 42(2), 57-66.