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).
A long-term acute care facility is specifically designed for patients with complex medical conditions that require the ongoing support of an interdisciplinary team. While patients in a LTAC unit no longer need extensive diagnostic procedures or the level of care available in an intensive care unit (ICU), the severity of their condition(s) makes them inappropriate for a rehabilitation center, skilled nursing facility or home healthcare service.
I would have to say that I came to the conclusion that a career in social work was right for me after I had a progression of jobs working with people. Before I got my social work license, I had the opportunity to work with autistic children in my school district and with survivors of domestic violence. It was from these experiences that I realized I had a passion for working with people. However, I didn’t immediately make a career transition after having these jobs. Around 2012, I was working in the insurance industry and there was a reduction in force at my company. I was left without at job. At the same time, there were personal circumstances that led me to reevaluate my life. It was then that I decided I wanted to purse a license in social work. 
