Burnout is a global phenomenon that’s sweeping the globe almost as quickly as the pandemic. During the past 18 months, many of us have been pushed to our limits, particularly frontline health workers like nurses. While it has been a common misconception that burnout is a fancy word for stress, new evidence of burnout and the impacts is coming to light and it’s not pretty.

We explore burnout and its effect on people in detail below. We look specifically at burnout in nursing including the signs and symptoms and how to avoid burning out.

So, burnout isn’t just a fancy word for stress?

Nope, but we forgive you for thinking that! Help Guide defines burnout as ‘a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands.’ Due to the stressful and fast-paced nature of their job, it’s no wonder nurses are extremely susceptible to it. Throw in a global pandemic and many nurses around the world are at breaking point.

Statistics from a recent study on burnout found:

• 97% of participating doctors and 99% of participating nurses confirmed that they felt burned out at least once in their career.
• 88% agreed that COVID-19 had exacerbated feelings of exhaustion.
• 58% of Australian nurses and doctors who responded to the survey said that their job leaves them feeling burned out.

These statistics are concerning – especially if it leads to nurses being unable to work or wanting to leave their job. Knowing this, it’s time to make a change and recognise the symptoms of burnout and how to go about preventing it.

Founder of The Burnout Club, Jess Jones, says ‘there’s a lot of pressure on frontline workers and people working in the health industry to practice constant patience and compassion while working a very demanding role and oftentimes, long shifts. There’s general stress and overwhelm involved in this industry, plus the added concerns that they’ll get sick themselves.’

How do I know if I’m burnt out or on the cusp of burnout?

While for some people burnout might feel as though it’s come completely out of the blue, others may have felt the burnout was a long time coming. What might feel like stress or anxiety might be burnout on its way to make you feel completely run down.

So, how can you tell whether what you’re feeling is general stress, or if you’re on the verge of something bigger and potentially more dangerous? Jess says some of the key signs to look out for include ‘increased stress levels, sleep issues, detachment, cynicism and bad habits used as coping techniques.’

Some other signs and symptoms of burnout in nursing to look out for include:

• Feeling like you’re ‘Running on empty’
• Agitation
• Becoming isolated and withdrawn
• Losing passion for your job
• Feeling completely overloaded or overwhelmed
• Struggling to stop, even though you’re exhausted
• Increased errors
• Isolation, loneliness, and depression
• Increased absence from work
• Loss of motivation

Although many of these symptoms align with those of depression, the two are very different. Burnout has been viewed as a syndrome developing in response to chronically adverse working conditions. Burnout is thought to comprise emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. The main difference between the two is the longevity of each, with burnout usually being a more temporary condition that can generally be solved once you take a longer break and focus on things that make you happy.

How can this problem be prevented and solved?

While burnout can be a challenging thing to experience, there is more and more evidence appearing on how to treat the condition and feel like ‘your old self’ again. If you start to experience of the above-mentioned symptoms, it’s time to get on top of it before it can go any further. Some ways to manage and prevent burnout include:

Learn to say ‘no’ and set boundaries – One main reason for burnout is biting off more than you can chew. Especially as a frontline worker, you may find it hard to say ‘no’, as your job is essentially to help others, therefore saying no might give you the feeling that you’re not doing your job. This isn’t true! You’re a human being just like everyone else, and you can’t perform at your peak if you’re burnt out. If you’re asked to work extra shifts or take on extra patients, it’s ok to say no if you don’t think you can cope. Learning to set boundaries is important in protecting your mental and physical health.

Take a break – If you aren’t coping at work, take a break. Whether it’s annual leave, sick leave, or leave without pay, take a break, and give your body time to restore and reset before you jump back into work.

Include self-care into your routine – Jess says it’s ‘important to include self-care in your daily lives and ensure you have proper downtime when not at work.’ Scheduling time out of your day to look after yourself and do something you enjoy is crucial. Whether it’s reading a book or taking a bath, do something that makes you feel good every day.

Ask for help – Whether it’s a colleague, friend, family member, or health professional, there’s absolutely no shame in asking for help if you’re struggling. There are services and plenty of resources available to help you navigate through burnout, but if you start to believe that it might be turning into something more, Lifeline and Beyond Blue are 24 hour free services available to anyone.

Burnout is on the rise and during the pandemic, is hitting hard our healthcare professionals who are fighting hard on the frontline. It’s important to be aware of the signs of burnout so they can be addressed before it’s too late, as well as ways to look after yourself, no matter where you are in your nursing journey.