“how can a new nurse avoid burn out?”

this is a question emailed to me by a new nurse who said she is “at the point of quitting nursing” after less than a year of being one. i am not an expert in giving advises, but these ideas saw me through when i was new:

you will be overwhelmed. do not expect otherwise.
     there are a lot of legitimate reasons why you can get overwhelmed. first of all, you are dealing with lives. one major mistake can lead to someone’s death. unlike paperworks that can be revised and redone, a patient’s life is a one time only deal. needless to say, that responsibility weighs heavily on your shoulders as you give meds, carry out orders, and deal with a very sick patient.
     the people around you are dealing with all kinds of stressful situations. the patients are either devastated by a new illness or frustrated with a chronic medical condition. their families are either weary, or scared, or weary and scared. the doctors are either worn out, or bullied by other doctors. the charge nurses are being pulled into two opposing directions. your fellow nurses are just as stressed as you, as they try to make it to their 12 hour shift without doing any harm.
     when you are new to all these, there is no way you can handle it like a pro. learn from your day to day experience and be very observant. prioritize and focus on your tasks. when you feel that the sense of being overwhelmed is getting out of hand, have a moment of silence, tune out others’ demands and suggestions, and start with a clearer mind. 

reconsider your options. 
     even though you are bombarded by ideas coming from all sources that only ICU and ER nurses really matter in the heirarchy of nursing status, do not embrace this idea. while it maybe true that ICU and ER nurses are smarter and quicker, it is not only them that can make a difference in a patient’s life.
     if you cannot cope with the demands of a fast paced, pressure filled nursing, maybe you will function more effectively in a slightly laid back unit. one great thing about nursing is that you have a lot of choices. try other things and find your niche. believe me, it all boils down to being your best in a place that brings out the best nurse in you.

do not be embarassed to seek help. 
      even when you were the very first person to respond to a dying patient’s plea, and he eventually survived, you still cannot own the recognition of saving that patient’s life by YOURSELF. you are a part of a team and a lot of the members of the team are happy to help you. while it is true everywhere that there are people who enjoy “eating their young”, as time goes by, you will have an eye for spotting them in a snap. all you have to do is leave them alone, and  stick to those who understand teamwork. learn from them, stick with them. then, pay their kindness forward and break the ugly cycle started by those whose idea of maturity is “i suffered when i was new, it is but proper that you suffer too.”

know your resources and use them.
     if there are particular things that stress you out because you lack knowledge, find out where you can get your needed informations and read. or ask. “fear of the unknown” is not just a statement. it is true in nursing. if you are expected to do something you don’t know, you will be terrified. you need confidence when you show up at work, people are depending on you. one certain thing that can boost your confidence is knowledge.

be honest. do not be ashamed to admit you don’t know everything.
    it takes courage to step forward and say “i have not done this before, i will appreciate it if somebody can show me how to do it, and watch me do it on my own next time.” sure you will feel like you are the world’s stupidest nurse, but that is okay. it is better that you appear and feel that way for a moment than commit a grievous mistake that you will regret for the rest of your life.

do not ever compare yourself with the seasoned/veteran nurses.
     when you see other nurses breezing through their shift like everything is smooth and easy, remember they were in your shoes once. the experiences and knowledge they have did not happen overnight. don’t be too hard on yourself and expect that you gain in one year what others gained through years or even decades of experience. that is unfair. the experienced nurses are not your competition, they are supposed to be your ally. respect and acknowledge them. do not feel superior over them because of your degree. know that the things you learn in school are not enough. the real world is more complicated than what you’ve read.

connect with others who are in the same boat.
     you will be surprised to find out that you are not alone. when you hear fellow new nurses express their concerns of feeling so tired and overwhelmed, you can all discuss your fears and frustrations and learn from each other. you can exchange tips on how to cope. you can share informations and take advantage of the nurses who know what you are going through, from the same point of view. 
     
take a moment.
     in the middle of complete chaos and endless lists of expectations, it will not hurt to go to the restroom for a minute or two to take a moment. you can use that moment to either take some deep breaths, or cry, if that makes things lighter for you. there is nothing wrong with that. when your mind has rested, even for a minute, it will be a lot easier to prioritize and then accomplish things.
     get away for a couple of days. if the past week or so have been unbelievably tiring and stressful, you will be surprised at how a day or two in a place away from your home and work can make a refreshing difference. usually, an encounter with nature does the trick. it will put things in the proper perspective. you will be reminded why you are doing what you are doing.     
     when you realize the higher purpose of being a nurse, you will be motivated to continue to do it. when you remember that you are here not only to be able to pay the bills but to make a difference, you will keep on caring. you will keep on serving.

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there must be a hundred of other ways to avoid burn out. those of you who have been in your job for a while, please feel free to offer your suggestions. we cannot afford to lose another nurse. we need to encourage and support each other, because if we don’t, who will do it for us?