As we all know, a nursing career is a very admiring and incredible profession. In the American public nurses are one of the most trusted and ethical professions. Their days are spent caring for the sick, frightened, and injured ones and they also have this aura of not just healing the bodies but healing hearts and minds as well.

Because of their chosen profession, they naturally attract compassion and empathy and these qualities can make many of them susceptible to burnout. Burnout is a term used to describe the mental, emotional and physical fatigue experienced by nurses. 

Firstly, as a nurse being aware of this is the first step for you to have yourself protected. Knowing fully well that burnout exists means you can prevent it from happening. Below is what you can do when you start having a feeling of burnout

1. Figure out what aspect of the nursing career that you love

The nursing profession is a unique one in that there are different specialties you can practice. One of the steps you can take is to know which area of nursing you love most. Whether you are working in surgery, healthcare center, schools, or surgery you will be more fulfilled if you love what you are working in. 

2. Join a nursing network

You having a network of like-minded people that surround you is a very smart one. As a nurse, it's important to have people in your field for advice and support. Although friends and family can provide sympathy and insight, it can't be compared to having the support of nurses like you that will stand in solidarity with you. 

A good nursing network can also help you grow, make a difference in your career aspirations as well. 

3. Make use of your downtime wisely

Is it only 15 minutes you have left from your lunch break? Rather than sitting to watch what show is showing on the television in your break room, you can jog round or take a short walk. If you are an art lover, you can grab a coloring book and do your thing before getting back to your patients. 

4. Take your nutrition seriously

As you all know food is a source of comfort and nourishes our body. Even though as a nurse you understand better what balanced diet means but because of long shifts, bad habits, and chaotic schedules of the nursing career can lead to a health hazard. But you can overcome this with little preparation and determination. 

Because the nursing profession is demanding, that's why healthy food is needed for the body. You can try out meal planning apps, or ready to prepare meals, or grocery delivery services. 

Conclusion

Nursing burnout is real, and it's a serious problem that shouldn't be overlooked. Several healthcare organizations have programs for nurses to teach them about stress management. The role of nurses in healthcare keeps getting bigger and without self-care nurses are at a risk to fall into fatigue.