mc connell pp_ch38

© 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

Umiker's Management Skills for the New Health

Care Supervisor, Fifth Edition

Charles McConnell

© 2010 Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC

Chapter 38

Coping with Stress Coping with Stress

and Burnoutand Burnout

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External Causes of Stress

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Internal Factors Aggravating Stress

Lack of confidence or self-esteem.

Health problems.

Irrational thinking. False perceptions

of powerlessness and flawed

assumptions.

Clash of actions with values

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Internal Factors Aggravating Stress

Emotions

Fears: We are beset with all kinds of

fear.

Guilt: characterized by feelings of

inadequacy and inferiority.

Anger: The stress produced by daily

contact with difficult people is often

associated with anger

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The Supervisor as a Cause

One of the most common reasons

for employees voluntarily leaving

their jobs, sometimes but not

always cited during exit interviews,

is the style of the employee’s

immediate supervisor.

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The Supervisor as a Cause

The occasional supervisor—

thankfully there are not a great

many of these—will treat employees

as tools to be used until they wear

out or break, after which they are

replaced.

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Supervisor’s Responsibilities

Reducing the stress they may personally

cause;

Protecting employees from stress induced

by other people;

Empowering their employees and raising

their self-esteem; and

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of

burnout and take remedial steps.

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Reduce Stress in Your Department

Hire Stress-Resistant People

Orient and Train Thoroughly

Empower Employees

Counsel Stressed Workers

Ensure Time for Breaks

Modify Assignments, Team

Compositions, Management Style

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Departmental Stress Programs

Support groups are most effective

when they function under their own

leadership. Participants can talk

openly about their personal

responses to the demands of their

work.

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Coping Methods

Relaxation or meditation techniques

Exercise

Diet adjustment

Review of job designs, policies, and

procedures

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Coping Methods

Solution of communication,

ethical, and workflow problems

Resolution of conflicts

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Burnout

Burnout is the condition of emotional

and physical collapse caused by the

unchecked escalation of stress. it is

a very real condition that afflicts

many individuals who have existed

“too close to the edge” for too long.

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Signs and Symptoms of Burnout

Anxiety or depression

Waking up tired

Chronic fatigue

High blood pressure

Insomnia and nightmares

Cardiac irregularities

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Signs and Symptoms of Burnout

Headaches, backaches, premenstrual

syndrome

Elevated cholesterol

Duodenal ulcers

Loss of appetite

Compulsive eating

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Outward Signs of Burnout

Emotional outbursts; short temper

High-pitched, nervous laughter

Increased use of sick leave

Increased resistance to change

Avoidance of decision making

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Outward Signs of Burnout

Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Frequent talk about escaping

Increased irritability and complaints

Decline in work performance

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Stages of Coping with Burnout

First doing nothing, hoping it will go away.

Self-medicating, seeking fast relief from

alcohol, drugs, or pharmaceuticals.

Taking it out accumulated stress on others.

Seeking professional help.

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Managing Your Personal Stress

• You can fire (for cause) that employee

who makes life miserable for you.

• You can exercise your power to make

most of the daily decisions you face.

• You can reduce or eliminate your job

insecurity by making your services more

marketable.

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Managing Your Personal Stress

• You can make people smile, laugh,

frown, and even cry.

• You do not need permission to do most

of the things you do (for example,

thank someone, hold a meeting, ask for

help, say “no,” or pack up and leave).

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To Reduce Feelings of Insecurity

• Keep up to date technically and

professionally.

• Fine-tune your interpersonal skills.

• Concentrate on making yourself more

marketable.

• Request more educational support.

• Train for alternative jobs or vocations.

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Look After Yourself

• Escape, literally or mentally

• Take a walk on your breaks

• Find a quiet place to relax and daydream

• Learn relaxation or meditation techniques

• Expand your supportive network

• Keep a log of your successes

• Behave assertively