Do you dread going into work each day? Do you feel like you no longer have patience and empathy for your patients? You are not alone. Many nurses are feeling or have felt this way. Come along with us as we explore the nursing burnout phenomenon and address ways that you can rediscover your passion for nursing.
What is nursing burnout?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines nursing burnout as “a widespread phenomenon characterized by a reduction in nurses’ energy that manifests in emotional exhaustion, lack of motivation and feelings of frustration and may lead to reductions in work efficacy.” In other words, nursing burnout is the emotional, mental and physical exhaustion that results from prolonged exposure to stress. It affects the nurse’s well-being and their ability to provide exceptional patient care.
Travel nursing is a great way to see the country and expand your professional skill set. However, many travel nurses report that finding housing in a new city is extremely stressful and overwhelming. In this travel nurse housing guide, we provide you with all the information you need to make the hunt for accommodations an easy one. We explore the housing options available to you, highlight ways that you can maximize your housing stipend and offer some best practices that should always be followed when looking for travel nurse housing.
A psychiatric nurse, also known as a behavioral health nurse or a mental health nurse, works with patients that are receiving treatment for a variety of mental illnesses. Since mental illness can occur at any point in life, patients range in age from children to the elderly. In addition to treating psychiatric disorders, behavioral health nurses also help patients address the stigma associated with their mental health issue(s). It is a career path that blends psychology, psychiatry and nursing.
A home health nurse, also known as a home care nurse, provides one-on-one care in a patient’s home. Most of the time, the patients that a home care nurse treats have been discharged from a hospital or other medical care setting. Home health nurses are primarily responsible for ensuring a patient’s continued recovery and for monitoring for any potential complications that would result in readmittance to a healthcare facility.
Simply put, a respiratory therapist is a certified medical professional that works with patients of all ages that are suffering from sudden or chronic breathing problems. Due to the nature of their work, respiratory therapists closely collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive a correct diagnosis, an effective treatment plan and an appropriate level of care. In addition to knowing/understanding human anatomy and physiology, respiratory therapists must have a broad knowledge of the pathophysiology of the cardiopulmonary systems (i.e. diseased or injured cardiovascular organs).
Did you know that nearly 70% of your body’s immune system resides in your gastrointestinal system? This means your gut plays a critical role in keeping you healthy during cold and flu season. You can improve your gastrointestinal system’s overall health by consuming a balanced diet, one that is low in fat and sugar and high in protein and fiber. Furthermore, there are several foods that you can eat to give your immune system an added boost. Red peppers, for instance, contain three times as much vitamin C as a Florida orange and shellfish (i.e. oysters, crabs, lobsters and mussels) are packed with zinc. For a more complete list of immune boosting foods, 
