Burnout. The International Classification of Diseases identifies it as an “occupational phenomenon,” and at some point in their career, it touches every clinician.
From physical and emotional exhaustion to depersonalization and cynicism, the symptoms of burnout can have a profound impact not only on healthcare professionals, but also on their patients and loved ones.
Unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the burnout crisis in the healthcare workforce, as well as contributing to a rise in secondary traumatic stress. Faced with compounding stressors, caregivers may be experiencing compassion fatigue, feelings of helplessness, poor sleep habits, mood changes, and an overall dissatisfaction with the work that once energized them.
For nurse leaders, the additional pressures added by their organizational roles may feel overwhelming. But there is good news. Resilience, or the ability to cope, adapt, and bounce back from external stressors, is a powerful tool in a healthcare professional’s battle against burnout — and it can be learned.
The recording of the August 26th webinar, Nurse Leadership Resiliency, presented by Lesly Kelly, PhD, RN, FAAN will be posted here as soon as it is available.
