While being a professional in the healthcare industry is rewarding, addressing some of the challenges of the job is important. You talk to many people, work long hours, and often see things others don’t. That said, the job is incredible. It pays dividends, and you’re getting paid to be a hero by saving lives. It’s easy to get burned out, so what do you do about that? Here are a few ways to prevent you from burning out as a healthcare professional.
Combating Depersonalization With Empathy
Burnout can affect healthcare workers in a few ways. One of the most common is depersonalization. A nurse, doctor, or other support staff might see several people in varying states of crisis and distress that their minds become numb to the pain of others. This numbness is undesirable, as it takes humanity out of your job, even though it keeps you even keel in cases of emergency.
That said, a good way to combat depersonalization is by stopping—if you can—and taking a “mental” step back. Try to be fully present with the person you’re speaking to. We know it’s difficult for you to open your heart in such situations, but patients can feel when your energy feels “off.” Try to offer as much empathy as you can manage.
Combating Emergency Overload
A key part of being a healthcare worker is being available to take care of an emergency at any given point. This availability could involve quickly reacting to a code blue in your hospital or splinting a leg. However, responding to an emergency when you’re new to the field, hospital, or department can be overwhelming, to say the least. One of the best ways to prevent overload is to gain any knowledge you need to adapt to any situation quickly. For instance, taking an in-person ACLS class has many benefits, even if you’re already familiar with the basics. At the very least, you’ll brush up on your muscle memory; readiness is key to any emergency.
Combating Fatigue With Holistic Solutions
Healthcare professionals are notorious for working long hours. Therefore, you’re more than likely going to be tired at work. Unfortunately, that can lead to mistakes, and mistakes can be deadly. Rather than compulsively chugging coffee to stave off sleepiness, try meditating and mindfulness or Tai chi and Qigong. Of course, nothing can replace sleep, so on the days you have off, drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. You’ll be well on your way to preventing burnout as a healthcare professional if you do practice these steps.
