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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The job of nursing has always been challenging. Then the pandemic came along, and the definition of “difficult” had to be rewritten.
While the thanklessness of nursing got replaced with relentless reminders of how RNs and other medical workers are frontlines heroes, the burnout rate threatened to decimate the already insufficient number of qualified nurses. Something had to be done.
As is so often the case, RNs took it upon themselves to devise ways to avoid professional burnout, especially at a time when the world needs them most. Going forward, the following burnout avoidance techniques will prove useful for nurses, especially those working in areas where infection rates remain exceptionally high:
Take time off
Old tricks are usually the best ones, which means taking paid time off remains the most effective way for registered nurses to avoid burnout. While it might seem wrong to go on vacation during a pandemic, the reality is that it’s in everyone’s best interest for nurses to take occasional breaks from work. They’re less affected by fatigue, more eager to resume the fight upon return, and refreshed by a renewed sense of vigor. If a week or two (or three) away from patients does wonders for avoiding burnout, then it’s essential for essential workers to take time off when needed.
Enroll in an online class
Taking on more responsibility might sound counterintuitive when avoiding burnout, but for many nurses, it’s just what the doctor ordered. That’s because one of the most effective ways to keep work stress from getting to us is to focus our attention on other things. Whether it’s earning an administrative credential, MSN degree, or something completely unrelated to nursing, the point is to spend time and effort on tasks and responsibilities other than those dealt with at work. In the process, RNs build on their existing education, opening more employment opportunities in nursing and elsewhere.
Give yoga a try
The number of nurses who’ve never been told to try yoga as a stress management technique is somewhere around zero. Its status as a recurring suggestion is indicative of yoga’s effectiveness at helping us to relax and unwind. Every nurse experiencing the symptoms of professional burnout should try yoga at least once to see if it helps. Simple breathing techniques and meditative processes are similarly beneficial, so consider trying those, too, even if yoga isn’t working out.
Find a new place to work
Demand for nurses is at an all-time high. That means RNs have their pick of a place to work. Nurses on the edge of burnout ought to consider switching to another work environment. RNs even have the chance to become traveling nurses. As the name suggests, traveling nurses go from one city to another, filling voids at local hospitals and clinics as needed before going on to the next city. It’s a great way to avoid getting burned out from toxic work environments and unwelcoming coworkers.
Pay attention to yourself
How are you feeling today? What has you feeling that way? What, if anything, can be done about it? Nurses who make a habit of asking themselves these types of questions have a much better time managing stress and anxiety. Referred to as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), it’s by far one of the best ways to avoid burnout in the heat of the moment.
Remember why you do it
Nobody becomes a nurse by accident. It takes years of hard work and dedication. RNs who find themselves feeling lost and confused can benefit from reminding themselves of the reasons why they got into the field in the first place. Doing so puts the current situation in a better perspective, making it less likely to contribute to a desire to leave the nursing profession.
The duties of nursing and symptoms of professional burnout seem to go hand-in-hand. However, there are several ways RNs can prevent stress and anxiety from getting the better of them. Like most things in life, it just takes patience, practice, and dedication.