Nurse Burnout: Where Do We Stand?
In healthcare, nurses are often the backbone of patient care, working tirelessly through long shifts and emotionally demanding situations to provide the best care they can for patients.
But what happens when the helpers need to help themselves? Nurse burnout has become an increasingly urgent issue, one that threatens the well-being of caregivers and the quality of care they provide.
So, where do we stand today?
Examining the prevalence and causes of nurse burnout is the first step toward empowering change. Understanding these challenges will not only shed light on the problem but also equip nurses and healthcare organizations with the tools they need to create lasting solutions.
What Is Burnout?
But first, you might be asking yourself, “What is burnout?” Or “How do I know I am burned out?” Let’s take a deep dive into what burnout is.
The World Health Organization (WHO) described burnout as three dimensions:
Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
Increased mental distance from one’s job, feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and
Reduced professional efficacy.
These specifically refer to feelings related to the work environment and not to other areas of life. In nursing these emotions often stem from increased demand for more shifts worked in one week, less staffing during shifts, and long working hours. These factors plus many others put nurses at risk for burnout.
So what are the symptoms of burnout? There are quite a few and some may feel familiar to you.
“In medicine, you spend a lot of time at work and a lot of time with your patient population. I take that very seriously because I did get very burned out in the ICU capacity. That’s actually how I ended up leaving the ICU. [I was] very, very burned out… I don’t ever want that for my life again.”
Emotional Symptoms of Burnout:
Feelings of detachment and withdrawal from patients or colleagues
Irritability and frustration, often with small things
Cynicism or disillusionment about work and its impact
Diminished sense of accomplishment or self-worth
Reduced empathy or compassion for patients
Physical Symptoms of Burnout:
Chronic fatigue and lack of energy
Insomnia or trouble sleeping
Headaches and migraines
Muscle tension and body aches
Frequent illnesses or susceptibility to colds
Decreased ability to focus or concentrate
“I was so depleted. I was so depressed. I was so anxious... I knew I wasn’t the nurse that these patients needed right now.”
The Numbers Behind Nurse Burnout
Nurse burnout is no longer just a statistic—it's a crisis we’re living through every day.
For years, we’ve seen the numbers rise, and it’s impossible to ignore the heavy toll burnout is taking on healthcare professionals.
According to a 2023 CDC report, nearly 50% of healthcare workers report experiencing burnout, with emotional exhaustion and stress directly tied to staffing shortages and overwhelming workloads.
Nurses, who make up the largest group of healthcare professionals and have the most direct patient contact hours, are feeling the brunt of this strain.
The pandemic only made things worse. For nurses, COVID-19 wasn’t just a challenge—it was a breaking point.
“Once the pandemic happened… we had turnover of close to 75% of our bedside nursing staff. That made my job exponentially more difficult because [we were] bringing in a whole set of new nurses to take care of extremely sick and complex patients… I felt like a babysitter for these patients from the bedside nursing perspective.”
On the front lines, witnessing the first deaths and carrying the heaviest burden, nurses faced unimaginable stress. One study found that more than half of nurses reported an increase in workload during the pandemic, with many describing feelings of emotional depletion, fatigue, and burnout.
In 2023, nearly 80% of nurses still reported the same symptoms—stress, burnout, and exhaustion—thanks to the emotional toll of the pandemic and the ongoing pressure in healthcare.
“The [burnout-related] turnover has been hard on everyone. The increased stress of everything, the intensity of the environment, everybody snapping at each other all the time and being angry; it becomes a lot after a while.”
But this is where we can make a difference.
We can turn this crisis into a catalyst for change, demanding better support and resources. Nurses are the heart of healthcare, and if we stand together, we can advocate for a system that prioritizes our well-being.
The projected shortage of up to 450,000 nurses over the next decade only reinforces the urgency to act now—before the system collapses under its own weight.
The fight for support and sustainable change begins with us.
Let’s be the voice that drives real reform and creates a healthier future for all.
Nurse Burnout vs Compassion Fatigue
Nurse burnout and compassion fatigue are two distinct but closely related challenges that nurses face. Burnout is often the result of prolonged stress and heavy workloads—leading to feelings of exhaustion, detachment, and a loss of passion for the job.
Contrast that with compassion fatigue - a feeling that is rooted in the emotional toll of caring for others in distress, especially in high-stakes or traumatic situations. It’s a type of secondary trauma that can affect nurses deeply, making it harder to empathize or connect with patients.
“If you are out of alignment, you will burn out. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.
You’re putting yourself in direct friction with something that does not work for you... To be out of alignment personally puts you in line with burnout, fatigue, and resentment.”
By understanding the nuances between these two, we can better address the root causes and take proactive steps to protect our well-being.
Healthcare institutions and providers must recognize both and offer the necessary support, ensuring we remain strong not only for ourselves but for the patients who rely on us every day.
Preventing Nurse Burnout
The numbers are shocking, but the good news is burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable. In fact, one poll found that 60% of nurses still loved their job.
So, how can we fight systemic imbalances and ensure that you can keep doing what you love?
Prioritize Adequate Staffing
Overloaded schedules and patient loads often lead to exhaustion. Many nurses find themselves faced with increasing demands to work more shifts.
Understaffing also affects nurses while they work, with increased patient loads leading to more stress and potentially unsafe working environments. Hospitals must ensure fair distribution of shifts to prevent overwork and increase training and hiring support staff when needed.
“I just wish that bedside nurses were developed… They’re leaving because they can’t stay at the bedside, mentally or physically…
... That will never change unless hospitals invest in them and give them education and tools to make them feel more comfortable in what they’re doing, and directly prevent early burnout.”
Access to Mental Health Resources
Counseling programs and peer support groups provide essential outlets for nurses to process stress.
If you work for a hospital system, ask if they have employee assistance programs for mental health.
If you are in a smaller practice you can consider asking for time off for mental health appointments or increased funding for healthcare spending to make appointments feasible.
Encourage Self-Care
While nurses are trained to put patients first, your own well-being is just as important.
There are several ways you can practice self-care. Mindfulness is one. Being able to recenter and focus even in chaos is a key skill any healthcare worker can benefit from.
Make sure you’re setting aside time to exercise. Some people find scheduling exercise before or after a shift can help energize them or help them decompress. Others may want to save their workouts for days off. Regardless of when it takes place, movement in some capacity is helpful for mental health.
Taking regular breaks is another area that protects against burnout. On a micro level make sure you are stepping away to get food, water, go to the bathroom, or just breathe throughout your shift. On a macro level, having several days off in a row and scheduling a vacation, even if it is a staycation, is vital to keep your mind fresh!
Foster Leadership Support
When leadership actively listens to and advocates for their staff, it creates a culture where nurses feel valued and empowered.
Change begins with collective action. Encourage your leaders to speak up for you. Or, step into a new role and become a leader yourself, advocating for positive change in your workplace.
Having supervisors trained in how to support their employees changes the culture of the workplace for the better.
By implementing these strategies, we can create workplaces that support the caregivers who care for us all. We can prevent nurse burnout by addressing its root causes, nurses and healthcare organizations can foster healthier environments.
Work-Life Balance for Nurses
As nurses, achieving balance often feels like a constant struggle. We're pulled in so many directions—balancing demanding shifts, caring for others, and managing the responsibilities that come with our personal lives.
It's easy to feel like there's no time left for ourselves.
So, how do we begin to restore balance?
Reclaim Your Time
Use tools and strategies to manage your schedule and make space for what matters. Prioritize time for yourself and your loved ones. Amid the chaos, it's essential to carve out moments to recharge.
Cultivate Your Passions
Whether it’s painting, gardening, or spending quality time with family, nurturing your hobbies outside of work replenishes your energy. When your cup is filled up, you have more to offer those around you.
Learn to Say No
Setting boundaries with extra shifts or overtime isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an act of self-respect. We all struggle with this but remember, your well-being should always come first. Do not allow the guilt that has been trained into us to overtake your ability to take care of yourself.
Lean on Your Support System
Don’t be afraid to reach out to family, friends, and colleagues when things get tough. Having a counselor or professional support is equally important. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
Achieving work-life balance isn't just about making it through each day. It’s about truly thriving. By making time for yourself, you not only protect your well-being but also reignite the passion and purpose that brought you into the field of nursing.
“In college, I was the RA in my sorority. I’ve always had small things going... for me, that helps prevent burnout too. If I can do a couple things for a few days, a couple other things for a few days, it helps me not get too burned out on one thing. I’m so thrilled with how I designed this career to do multiple things.”
Conclusion: Caring for the Caregivers
Nurse burnout isn’t just a healthcare issue—it’s a human issue.
Addressing it requires systemic change, compassionate leadership, and a commitment to caring for the people who care for others.
As we take steps to prevent burnout and promote balance, we’re not only improving lives today but also building a healthier, more sustainable future for the entire healthcare system. The time to act is now, and together, we can make a difference.
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