Ways of preventing nurses from burnout
Burnouts have devastating consequences on an individual and also a health institution. They cause job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, low morale, fatigue, and decreased quality of work. They also lead to errors that can be harmful to the patient. Stress and competitiveness in the workplace cause burnouts. In a hospital setting, there are so many stressful issues, such as death situations and emergencies.
There are various ways in which a nurse can avoid burnouts. Practicing yoga can help. Yoga is a physical activity that incorporates body moves and systematic breathing techniques. It is an efficient way of relieving stress. Also, nurses can participate in a hobby that they like, such as sewing, athletics, and dancing.
That helps them to shift their minds away from the stressful events of the day. They can practice these hobbies in the evenings or during the weekends. They can also go on vacation. Going on holiday draws them away from their daily tasks for some time. It also immerses their minds into something different. That leads to an emotional disconnect from the stresses they face in workplaces.
It is also wise to take deep breaths before attending to a patient; it helps nurses focus more. Nurses should also embrace curiosity. Curiosity brings about freshness. They should not forget the aspects of nursing that excites them. Besides yoga, they can also engage in other ways of physical exercise, eat proper diets, live healthy lifestyles, and sleep well.
Nurses should enroll in training programs teaching on stress coping mechanisms. That will enable them to handle the distresses they come across daily. They should replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Also, they should learn how to communicate well and express their feelings. Nurses should take short breaks to go for coffee, lunch, and also get some fresh air.
During these short breaks, they should not worry about the patients’ conditions or other stressful details. Instead, they should allow their minds to relax. Working environments also affect job satisfaction. Lousy working conditions can cause burnouts. Improving them can help curtail stress.
Also, a nurse may opt to change the environment if they are not comfortable with where they are working. They can also become a travel nurse who works in different destinations. Meditation is also an efficient way of avoiding burnouts; it reduces stress. Burnouts are detrimental; they cause physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Nurses need to evade them.
References
Friganović, Adriano, et al. “Healthy settings in hospital—How to prevent burnout syndrome in nurses: Literature review.” Acta Clin Croat 56.2 (2017): 292-298.
Espeland, K. E. (2006). Overcoming burnout: How to revitalize your career. The journal of continuing education in nursing, 37(4), 178-184.
