Are you feeling tired all the time? Do you struggle to stay alert during shifts? Does it seem like even your best efforts aren’t enough? Recognizing early nurse burnout symptoms like these is the first step to mitigating harm.
Early intervention can prevent burnout from escalating into a more severe condition. Let’s learn about nurse burnout symptoms, what to watch for, and strategies for prevention and management.
Understanding nurse burnout
Burnout is defined as being emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted from prolonged and excessive stress. In our Nurse.com 2024 Nurse Salary and Work-Life Report, 59% of nurses reported feeling burned out.
In nursing, burnout is often the result of intense workload, long hours, and emotional demands of patient care.
The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an “occupational phenomenon.” Burnout is defined in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Disease as a syndrome characterized by:
Feelings of depleted energy or exhaustion: Nurses can feel emotionally drained and overwhelmed by their work. Nurses may feel unable to offer the quality of care they once could, leading to a sense of helplessness and fatigue.
Increased mental distance from a person’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to a job: In nursing, this can manifest as a sense of detachment from their work and patients.
Reduced personal efficacy: Nurses may feel incompetent, or lack of achievement in their work. Nurses can begin to doubt their abilities and feel like their efforts aren’t making a difference.
Watch for these 10 nurse burnout symptoms
Here are some nurse burnout symptoms to watch for, in yourself and your nursing colleagues:
- Chronic fatigue: You may feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, and struggle to find enough energy to complete tasks.
- Insomnia: You might have difficulty falling asleep, and find yourself lying awake at night, worrying about work-related issues.
- Irritability: Burnout can cause nurses to snap at colleagues or feel frustrated over minor issues.
- Decreased job satisfaction: You may feel disengaged from your work, losing the passion you once had for nursing. You might notice you’re dreading going to work, or finding a sense of relief only when away from your workplace.
- Increased absenteeism: Are you calling in sick more often, or finding yourself arriving at work late? Those can indicate you’re struggling to cope with the demands of your nursing role.
- Physical symptoms: Burnout can manifest as headaches, muscle tension, gastrointestinal problems, or a weakened immune system.
- Emotional detachment: You may struggle to empathize with patients and colleagues, becoming more distant in your interactions.
- Decline in job performance: Red flags include difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Anxiety. You may notice a sense of being overwhelmed, even with tasks that were once routine.
- Depression. Nurses may experience feelings of hopelessness and sadness during shifts.
