June Gower Discusses Nursing Burnout And How to Prevent It

Dr. June Gower discusses what nursing burnout is and how to prevent it.

The past couple of years has been the most demanding in recent years for the healthcare industry as a whole but more so for Nurses in particular.  However, June Gower Ph.D., explained that many nurses battled burn out long before the pandemic hit.

“Nurses burn out for a variety of reasons. There’s burnout due to demanding work schedules, burnout due to compassion fatigue, excessive stress like that seen during the COVID pandemic, and numerous other reasons.”

Dr. Gower recently discussed what nursing burnout is and how nurses can cope with burnout to improve their job performance, mental health, and overall life satisfaction.

What Is Nursing Burnout?

Nursing burnout is a chronic issue affecting nurses around the country.  The problem existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has since multiplied after the prolonged adaptive conditions that were necessary to provide additional health safety for those in the healthcare system.

June Gower notes that nursing is a career that involves working with patients and their families who are undergoing extreme pain, trauma, and devastating life-changing diseases. The demanding schedules, compassion fatigue, staffing shortages, and the inability to return to a normal work environment has caused Nursing stressor to become amplifying, leading to a majority of nurses experiencing burnout at some point in their career, however, the rate has risen since the pandemic.

Signs of Burnout

Dr. Gower explained it’s critical to understand the signs of burnout so a nurse can take action immediately. Common signals of burnout include a feeling of cynicism toward the career or workplace, feelings of exhaustion while working, failing to meet work requirements, and never feeling fully rested after days off.

Nurses do not always notice they’re experiencing burnout. It is essential for hospital leaders and supervisors to understand the signs of burnout, identify them, and accommodate nurses’ needs quickly.

Steps to Prevent Nursing Burnout

June Gower outlined several steps nurses can take to prevent burnout.

“Prevention is the goal because a nurse who has already burned out may already be dealing with workplace resentment, mistakes on the job, mental health concerns, which could result in the departure of the healthcare industry altogether,” Gower explained.

The following are the top ways to prevent nursing burnout:

• Strive for a healthier work-life balance where the stressors of work stay at that location and home life are mindful and present. Spend time with those who are important to you away from work; that could be pets, family, friends, or community neighbors.
• Sleep at least eight hours per day, whether during daytime or nighttime. Consider listening to relaxing music, meditating, or simply reading before bed. This will allow your mind to decrease the stress of the day and may aid in a deeper sleep.
• Exercise regularly and focus on a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Take time off when mental health is stretched.
• Speak with a healthcare professional about separating home life from the emotions at work.
• Practice self-care on a regular basis. This will allow your batteries to charge, leaving you feeling more rested and relaxed overall.

Dr. Gower stressed the importance of nurses having someone to provide emotional support for them. Many workplace human resource departments can connect nurses with employee assistance programs (which are confidential to the employee).  There is always professional help as well.

June Gower and the Nursing Profession

June Gower spent decades working as a nurse for the U.S. Armed Services, serving in many Nursing roles, and later received her Ph.D. in Public Policy & Administration in Health Services. She continues to dedicate her current career to creating social change in the present U.S. Healthcare System and to guiding Healthcare professionals on career advancement.  As part of the commitment, she has recently joined the Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation as a Board member for the Dean’s Council.