Burnout

Healthcare professionals are exposed to quite a number of stressors on a daily basis as they go about their various duties and caring for their patients. These job-related stresses can sometimes affect the mind and body which will most likely have a negative effect on the quality of service being rendered by these professionals. So, invariably, when healthcare professionals are stressed, patients suffer for it. Work-related stress may also impact job satisfaction, workforce stability, and safety in the healthcare environment (Van Bogaert et al., 2013). Nurses, for one, have identified stress and overwork as one of their top concerns within the profession (ANA, 2011). Work schedules that include long shifts and insufficient staffing are two factors identified by nurses that increase stress levels. To further make matters more complicated, nurses tend to experience a range of emotions in their daily work which makes the effects of stress more feasible in their work. The emotions experienced by nurses can range from feeling frustrated, challenged, overwhelmed, to feeing fulfilled, capable, confident and satisfied.
It is necessary that nurses and other professionals be made aware of the stresses associated with intense clinical settings and challenging work schedules because their work demands so much from them which is why they hold high expectations for themselves, and believe they should be able to handle anything no matter what the challenge. And this is why they are quite susceptible to stress. Therefore, knowing that stress holds dire consequences for both professionals and patients, it is imperative then that healthcare professionals learn to cope with stress and burnout by gaining an understanding of stress and stressors, recognizing the signs and symptoms of job burnout, acquiring skills to manage its destructive effects, and preventing its occurrence in the future.

Truth is nurses tend to put a lot of effort into caring for their patients because they are dedicated, selfless and committed individuals and it is imperative that they invest themselves in taking good care of themselves while also maintaininga consistent and moral character. This is something nurses should strive for throughout their career. We know nurses tend to be very dedicated, devoted and selfless people. Nurses may face many situations each day that are out of their control, such as policy changes and staffing difficulties. However, by maintaining a positive outlook, staying healthy and sharing concerns with trusted colleagues, nurses can better cope with potential stressors, leading to better patient care, as well as increased job and personal satisfaction.