Nurse BurnoutTanesha Carlson, Katelyn Duncan, and Rachel Mortel

What is Nurse Burnout? Definition▪ Phenomenon in which the

cumulative effects of a stressful work environment gradually overwhelm the defenses of the staff members, forcing them to withdraw psychologically (Sahraian, A., Fazelzadeh, A., Mehdizadeh, A., & Toobaee, S. ,2008)

*Real World Problem

Objectives▪ The learner will be able to define nurse burnout and acknowledge that it is a real

world problem. ▪ The learner will discover the ethics and values at risk during nurse burnout. ▪ The learner will know the symptoms of nurse burnout. ▪ The learner will understand the contributing factors to burnout. ▪ The learner will know the interventions available to prevent or cure nurse burnout.

Testimonials of Nurses

▪ Discovery of the issue▪ Comments Overheard

▪ At the beginning of a shift, a nurse stated: “Is work over yet?”

▪ A comment made during shift change report “Here we go again”

▪ Agreement to the issue▪ Testimonials

▪ “You have more critical patients and less time so you become stressed faster” (Heather, Personal communication, March 2015)

▪ “You’re still expected to do everything safely despite heavy patient loads”(Heather, Personal communication, March 2015)

*Real World Problem

Description of the Problem (Wang, S., Liu, Y., & Wang, L. ,2015)

*Real World Problem

▪ Nurse burnout can happen at any time, to any one

▪ The problem occurs in all different aspects of nursing, from pediatric nursing to geriatric nursing; from surgical nursing to rehab nursing.

▪ Importance▪ Learn how to recognize the signs ▪ Support your colleagues

FINI

SHED

PRO

DUCT

PRE

SENT

ED

*Explanation of Product

The Issue

▪Ethics▪Emotional exhaustion▪Depersonalization

▪Values▪Honesty▪Trust ▪Patient/Nurse Safety

*Addressing Values and Ethics

Wha

t Cau

ses N

urse

Bur

nout

? ▪ Heavy workloads▪ Long shifts▪ Too much overtime▪ Relationship conflict with other staff▪ Lack of managerial support▪ High emotional needs of patients and families▪ Lack of reward(Chipas & McKenna, 2011)

(Hughes & Jennings, 2008)

*Demonstrates a depth of understanding

Signs and Symptoms ▪Emotional exhaustion

▪Depersonalization▪Decreased Perception of

Personal Accomplishment

(Sahraian, Fazelzadeh, Mehdizadeh, & Toobaee, 2008)(Hughes & Jennings, 2008)

(Stewart & Terry, 2014)

INTERVENTIONS:

▪ Empowerment and Social Support

▪ Regular rounding by

managerial staff(Hughes & Jennings, 2008

So what do I do if I’m experiencing burnout…?

Nurses need to work together to create an environment that promotes security, mutual respect, and positive

feelings.

Interventions continued

▪Decreasing work hours▪ Decreased overtime▪ 12 hour shifts

Interventions continued

▪ Breathing techniques▪ Slow breathing

▪ Muscle Relaxation techniques▪ Progressive muscle relaxation:

controlled breathing and focus on tense muscle areas

Relax!

Interventions continued

Cognitive Based Interventions (Moustaka & Constantinidis, 2010)

Interventions Product

*Results in sense of accomplishment

Bridging Liberal Arts and Nursing

▪Rachel: Sociology 101▪Tanesha: Psychology 230▪Katelyn: Family History 370

*Bridging Liberal Arts and Nursing and Multi-Disciplinary Features

Are You At Risk?

▪ You may be more prone to burnout if: ▪ You lack a reasonable balance between work and your personal life▪ You try to be every thing to every one

(Chipas & McKenna, 2011)

False Belief: All Pressure/Stress is Bad for You

• Stress is beneficial to performance

• Improves performance during challenges by providing motivation

HOWEVER:• When the

pressure/stress becomes excessive, it loses its beneficial effects and becomes harmful.

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAYAn old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish,

beached and dying after a storm. A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean. “Why do you bother?” the old man scoffed. “You’re not saving enough to make a difference.” The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back to

the water.

“I made a difference to that one.”

References:

Altun, I. (2002). Burnout and nurses' personal and professional values. Nursing Ethics, 9(3), 269-278. doi:10.1191/0969733002ne509oa

Bae, S., & Fabry, D. (2014). Assessing the relationships between nurse work hours/overtime and nurse and patient outcomes: Systematic literature review. Nursing Outlook, 62(2), 138-156. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2013.10.009

Chipas, A., & McKenna, D. (2011). Stress and burnout in nurse anesthesia. American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 79(2). 

Galbraith, N. D., & Brown, K. E. (2011). Assessing intervention effectiveness for reducing stress in student nurses: quantitative systematic review. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 67(4), 709-721. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05549.x1.

Hughes, R. G., & Jennings, B. M. (2008). Work stress and burnout among nurses: role of the work environment and working conditions.

NSW Health.(2006). Stress management for nurses.

Moustaka, Ã., & Constantinidis, T. C. (2010). Sources and effects of work-related stress in nursing. Health Science Journal, 4(4), 210-216.

Sahraian, A., Fazelzadeh, A., Mehdizadeh, A., & Toobaee, S. (2008). Burnout in hospital nurses: A comparison of internal, surgery, psychiatry and burns wards. International Nursing Review, 55(1), 62-67.

Stewart, W., & Terry, L. (2014). Reducing burnout in nurses and care workers in secure settings. Nursing Standard, 28(34), 37-45. doi:10.7748/ns2014.04.28.34.37.e8111

Wang, S., Liu, Y., & Wang, L. (2015). Nurse burnout: Personal and environmental factors as predictors. International Journal Of Nursing Practice, 21(1), 78-86.