7 Strategies for Preventing Nurse Burnout

Dealing with Nurse Burnout: 7 Ways to Decrease High-Cost Fatigue.

Nurse burnout has always been an issue in the medical field

However, an ever-worsening shortage of new nurses, coupled with a global pandemic that has compelled many seasoned professionals to leave the field out of frustration and exhaustion, has only exacerbated the problem of nurse fatigue and burnout.

As the situation grows direr by the day, hospitals and other healthcare providers looking to ensure quality patient care and limit staff turner-over have no choice but to address the varying issues that push nurses to the ends of their limits.

What is Nurse Burnout?

Nurse burnout describes the combination of mental, physical, and emotional fatigue brought on by long hours, the pressure of quick decision-making, and other work-related stressors typical of the nursing profession. Nurses at risk for burnout may begin feeling disengaged and detached. If not addressed, burnout may lead to feelings of cynicism, hopelessness, and even depression.

Unfortunately, nurse burnout is widespread in the United States. In fact, according to one recent study, burnout caused more than 100,000 nurses to leave their jobs in 2017 alone. Earlier this year, more than 1/3 of nurses surveyed by staffing firm Incredible Health reported they intended to leave their jobs by the end of 2022. Those nurses cited burnout and high-stress work environments as the number one reason for leaving, followed by pay and benefits.

Unfortunately, the situation is only going to get worse.

“As the workloads on health care systems and clinicians have grown, so have the demands placed on nurses, negatively affecting the nursing work environment,” the study authors wrote. “When combined with the ever-growing stress associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this situation could leave the U.S. with an unstable nurse workforce for years to come.”

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What Causes Nurse Burnout and Fatigue?

Because nursing has always been – and always will be – a demanding job, nurses will always be at risk for burnout and fatigue. However, certain factors are known to drive the higher and more severe levels of fatigue that cause far too many nurses to leave the profession:

• Long Hours and Overwork: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses will grow by 9% between 2020 and 2038. The fast pace of this growth has already led to understaffed hospitals, overworked nurses, and nurse burnout.
• Lack of Sleep: Because of the nursing shortage, many of today’s nurses must cope with long hours, consecutive shifts, and mandated overtime. Not surprisingly, a quarter of nurses recently surveyed reported being unable to get enough sleep between shifts.
• High-Stress Environments: While fatigue is common across the field, nurses who work in the ER, the ICU, and other high-stress environments and specialties are more vulnerable to burnout.
• Lack of Support: Working environments hindered by poor teamwork -- characterized by conflict, sub-par communication, lack of cooperation, and even bullying – are ripe for nurse burnout.
• Poor Outcomes: Most nurses choose the profession because they get satisfaction from helping patients recover. When patients don’t recover, nurses may experience feelings of letdown that can result in burnout over the long term. Those who work in critical and end-of-life care are especially susceptible.
• Low Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: According to a study conducted at Marshall University, nurses working in facilities with a nurse-to-patient ratio greater than 1:4 have a higher risk of burnout, with each additional patient raising the risk by 23%

Consequences of Fatigue and Burnout Among Nursing Stag

In addition to causing nurses to leave the field, nurse burnout adversely impacts patient health and results in lower satisfaction levels among both patients and staff.

• Higher Turnover: As nurses leave due to burnout, the stress on an already overworked staff will only grow, leading to even higher rates of burnout and increased turnover at the facility.
• Lower Quality of Care:  Fatigued nurses are more prone to mistakes, potentially leading to higher rates of patient discomfort, infection, and death.
• Increased Mortality:  According to the Marshall University study, for each patient exceeding the 1:4 nurse-to-patient ratio, there is a 7% increase in hospital mortality. 

7 Steps for Preventing High-Cost Nurse Burnout

Fortunately, there are many steps hospitals and other healthcare providers can take to ease the burden on nurses and mitigate the potential for burnout and fatigue. Here are seven of the most effective:

1. Schedule to Avoid 12-Hour Shifts: Although long shifts have become ubiquitous in the field, research suggests nurses who consistently work 12-hour shifts are more likely to experience fatigue, exhaustion, and low morale than those who work 8-hour shifts. Only schedule 12-hour shifts when absolutely necessary.
2. Forgo Very Early – or Very Late – Staff Meetings: Requiring nurses to come in very early or stay on after their shift to attend staff meetings can disrupt sleep schedules and leave them feeling fatigued, especially those who work the second or third shift.
3. Solicit Nurses’ Input Before Making Policy Changes: Most policy changes will impact a facility’s nurses one way or another. Getting their input before implementing any changes can help prevent unintended and adverse consequences.
4. Establish Support Programs: Support groups and other programs that allow nurses to share concerns, frustrations, and advice lets them know they’re not alone and can often provide the tools they need to cope with and prevent nurse fatigue.
5. Limit Consecutive Shifts: Overtime is ubiquitous in today's healthcare sector, especially concerning nurses. Limiting the number of days a nurse can work without a break will help prevent the exhaustion that leads to burnout.
6. Educate Nursing Staff About Fatigue and Burnout: Educating nurses will help them spot the warning signs of fatigue and provide them with the tools they need to prevent fatigue from transitioning to full-blown burnout.
7. Use Ergonomically Designed Medical Carts and Equipment: Nursing is a physically demanding profession. Providing nurses with ergonomically designed medical carts and other equipment will reduce strain inflicted on the body, help prevent repetitive stress injuries, ensuring nurses and other clinicians are comfortable throughout their shifts.

First Products: Ergonomic Workstations and Medical Cart Solutions.

First Products has been assisting healthcare professionals for over 50 years. We understand the challenges nurses and other frontline medical professionals face daily, and we've leveraged our insight to help hundreds of hospitals, physicians’ offices, and long-term care facilities improve their workflows, increase patient satisfaction, and prevent burnout among staff. If we don’t already have your perfect-fit, ergonomic solution available, we'll configure one for your specific needs. 

To Learn More About Our Custom Mobile Medical Carts and Workstations, Please Contact First Products Today at 800.854.8304.