Burnout is a risk for any employee. But, as one of the top medical staffing agencies in Sacramento, Pacific MedStaff knows that it’s particularly common for those who work in the medical field, especially nurses. And it’s no wonder. They’re the ones on the front line of patient care, dealing with intense stress and handling life or death situations day in and out.
And burnout doesn’t simply impact the nurse. It can also affect the patient care delivered. In fact, hospitals with high burnout rates tend to have lower patient satisfaction, according to the National Institute of Health. Likewise, nursing burnout has also been linked to an increase in the likelihood of patient infections, as found by a study from the American Journal of Infection Control.
What are some warning signs of burnout you should be aware of?
- Showing up late or missing work (for a nurse who is typically reliable)
- Being rundown or getting sick often
- Missed deadlines and poor quality work
- Loss of focus, disengagement and dulled emotions
How can you help your nursing staff avoid burnout in the first place?
- Emphasize wellness. It’s important to offer programs to your nurses that will help them to manage their levels of stress – so they don’t lead to burnout. For instance, you can encourage and provide resources for meditation, make sure nurses are taking meals and breaks throughout their shifts, and providing counseling if there’s been a traumatic event in the workplace. You can even offer live classes or computer-based sessions teaching nurses about self-care stress reduction techniques.
- Give thanks. Nursing can sometimes seem like a thankless job. That’s why it’s so important to go the extra mile and show your appreciation for your nursing staff. Say thank you for a job well done. Bring in a catered meal for your nursing staff once in a while to demonstrate your gratitude. And offer simple recognition or rewards for consistently excellent performance.
- Be mindful of staffing levels. Burnout happens when nurses are stretched too thin and are constantly working overtime. One way to overcome this situation is to work with a medical staffing provider for per diem or temporary nurses as needed. This can prevent overworking and the subsequent burnout that can happen with your staff.
Burnout is a very real issue in healthcare today. But by knowing the signs and offering healthy resources, you can improve the well-being of your nursing staff and improve the quality of patient care.
Interested in learning more about working with a staffing provider?
At Pacific MedStaff, as one of the top medical staffing agencies in Sacramento, we can ensure you always have access to the skilled and credentialed NPs, RNs, LPNs and PAs you need, whether on a temporary or full-time basis. We can help you reduce stress at work and prevent staff burnout. Contact us today to learn more.