Burnout as a nurse practitioner- my own story

***The following is a personal story of my own burnout in nursing and how I now provide resources to address burnout as a nurse practitioner.

I was burned out in nursing and nearly left healthcare all together. Here’s my burnout story.

I first declared nursing as my major when I was a junior in high school. All I wanted to do was make a difference in patients’ lives.

 I thought as a nurse I would be able to sit at the bedside with my patients, hold their hand, and directly impact their life. I thought I would be showing up and making a difference every single day.

This was before I knew the truth about healthcare.

How I got started

I first got into the healthcare field in 2009. I started as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in a nursing home. I was so excited to be able to care for patients and even though the work was hard, I loved every day of it.

I completed my Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2013. I was so eager to live out my dream of working as a registered nurse (RN) and making an impact in patients’ lives.

However, when I first started working on a busy MedSurg floor, I quickly realized the job was not what I expected.

I had no time to sit in and talk with a patient like I thought nurses did. I didn’t even have enough time to meet my own basic needs (food, water, etc.). 

As nurses know, a 12 hour shift turns into a 14 to 15 hour shift. The work day is non-stop. There are constantly tasks that need to be completed. Meds that needed to be administered. Providers to update and coordinate care. Call lights to be answered. Patients to be cared for.

When I discovered my burnout

By 2015, I found myself burned out from healthcare.

But at the time I didn’t know I was burned out.

I had started to feel emotionally, mentally, physically exhausted.

I was not showing up as the nurse, wife, mom, or person I wanted to be.

I became detached from my work, my family/friends, and even myself.

But yet I didn’t know I was burned out.

It wasn’t until one day when I was in the break room, taking my mandatory “30 minute lunch break” at 1430.

There was an article laying on the table titled “Compassion Fatigue in Healthcare Providers.”

It picked up the paper and started reading the article.

I remember looking over the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue. 

I check marked every single box…..

At that moment I realized I was struggling with burnout.

I realized I either needed to make some changes in my life or leave healthcare altogether.

Fortunately, I dove deep into improving my situation.

How I overcame burnout and beyond

I implemented self-care techniques and ensured I was taking care of my physical, mental, and emotional health.

I set boundaries not only with my work but also some toxic people in my personal life.

I allowed myself time to rest and recharge in between my shifts.

Fortunately, I was able to overcome the burnout and stay in healthcare!

Fast forward to 2020. 

I had completed my nurse practitioner degree and was working in a primary care clinic.

Burnout as a nurse practitioner was a major issue prior to 2020. But as we know, a critical problem since the pandemic.

I looked around and saw just how many nurse practitioners were struggling with burnout.

I saw how many were spending MORE time at work and LESS time with their families creating a disrupted work-life balance.

I saw the struggles of strict insurance regulations and additional work to get our patients the services/treatments they needed.

I saw the push to see more patients, sicker patients in a less amount of time. 

I saw firsthand the struggles nurse practitioners face every single day.

Burnout as a nurse practitioner resources

So I started The Burned-out Nurse Practitioner and The Nurse Practitioner Charting School to provide resources and support burnout as a nurse practitioner.

I am very passionate about sharing the tools I have used to overcome burnout and prevent burnout as a nurse practitioner in this modern healthcare system.

While I wish I could change the entire healthcare system so providers never had to face burnout again, I will focus on teaching burnout prevention and treatment techniques.

I would not change my burnout story. Although it was a difficult time in life, I am thankful for the experiences I went through. I am thankful that I can now share my story with others and help them in their burnout journey. 

So if you are struggling with burnout as a nurse practitioner, know you are not alone. 

There are so many support groups and resources available for nurse practitioners.

There are ways we can come together and support one another.

It is possible to overcome the burnout as a nurse practitioner, rediscover the fulfillment in your job, and stay in healthcare!