As clinician workloads increase, nurse burnout is becoming a major problem in the U.S., further exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
There is an urgent need for health systems to implement solutions to alleviate nurse burnout. Here are 3 strategies shown to have a positive impact on staff wellness and help reduce nurse burnout:
- Focus on staff wellness
According to a study in Applied Nursing Research, workplace stress management interventions are effective at reducing stress for nurses dealing with burnout. [i] Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT) interventions show the highest efficacy, followed by relaxation techniques. CBT teaches nurses to identify and name their stressors, notice the consequences of stress, and identify the relationship between stress and self-awareness. [ii] - Schedule flexibility
Since overworking and stressful work environments are noted above as causes of burnout, enabling flexibility in schedules could be key to alleviating burnout, especially if it allows nurses to take time off or work schedules that better fit their lives. [iii] - Set boundaries between work and life
Tina Gerardi, a registered nurse, told Nurse Journal that healthy boundaries can make a big difference in reducing stress. “When your shift ends, leave any thoughts, feelings and grievances about work at work and make a point to focus your time spent at home with family, friends and doing activities that you enjoy. Be present and mindful." [iv]
Nurse burnout will not go away on its own, and as the pandemic stretches into a second year, the need for healthy, happy, adjusted nurses will be greater than ever. For more insights and tips, visit our ASC page.
[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5159423/
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637151/
[iii] https://www.beckersasc.com/leadership/how-to-promote-clinician-self-care-in-ascs-5-strategies-from-cardinal-health-experts.html
[iv] https://nursejournal.org/resources/tips-for-avoiding-nurse-burnout/