Resources for Nurse Burnout
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Surgeon General is working to address health worker burnout. They discuss the causes of burnout, the impacts on health workers, and ways to take action.
More here.
National League for Nursing
The National League for Nursing (NLN) provides a list of resources for nurse wellness.
More here.
American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) created the Well-Being Initiative. The Well-Being Initiative offers several resources to support the mental health of nurses, including a free wellness app and free 24/7 access to listeners through Happy.
More here.
Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic provides a list of books and other resources related to burnout in healthcare.
More here.
Burnout affects over 50 percent of healthcare workers.
At least 52% of nurses plan on leaving their current positions.
Source: DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2207252
The consequences of burnout for the individual nurse are extensive:
Physical symptoms such as headaches, appetite changes, and poor sleep
Decrease in job-related job self-esteem
Decrease in career satisfaction
Feelings of failure and self-doubt, regardless of experience
Calling out frequently
Feeling withdrawn and isolated from others
The consequences of nurse burnout extend beyond the individual nurse, impacting patient care and the healthcare system as a whole. Such consequences include:
Increase in error-making, missed assessments, and delayed interventions
Increase in call-outs, understaffing, and high staff turnover
Decreased staff motivation and cynicism
Increase in staff workload and decreased job satisfaction
“… the loss of a nurse leaving their position is also associated with significant financial costs, estimated from $11,000 to $90,000 per nurse with up to $8.5 million in associated wider costs,” (doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2020.06.008)