Becoming a travel nurse is a huge transition in your life, and it is important to recognize when you are overworking yourself.
Signs of burnout can be anything from feeling extra tired during the day to negative thoughts about your job. According to the American Nurse Association, 62% of nurses experience burnout.
Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid burnout and make your time as a travel nurse more enjoyable.
1 Find ways to manage your stress
Stress management is vital when it comes to avoiding burnout. Everyone is different when it comes to how they prefer to manage their stress. A few things to consider are practicing meditation, getting some fresh air while taking a walk, and making time for a fun activity or hobby. If all else fails, feel free to reach out to a mental health counselor. Your mental health is something you should prioritize, and talking through your challenges can help reduce stress.
2 Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Practicing a healthy diet and exercising regularly will help reduce burnout and overall benefit your wellbeing. Eating an abundance of highly processed foods causes low energy and a lack of motivation. Eliminating those foods and replacing them with nutritious ones will give you the needed energy to get through your shift. The same benefits come with consistent physical activity, and exercise also helps lower stress hormone levels and reduce tension in your muscles.
3 Separate yourself from work when you are not at work
Bringing thoughts of work home with you can significantly increase those negative thoughts about your job. It is so easy to pick up the phone and call a friend or significant other to complain about your day’s difficult. However, if you choose to focus on other things, it will allow you to put your energy into other activities. Also, remember to set boundaries for yourself. If you plan with a colleague outside of work, tell them you would prefer not to talk about work during your free time.
4 Join a Support Network
Becoming a travel nurse is an exciting journey, but one issue people can run into is the need for a support system. If you are experiencing extreme levels of burnout, consider seeking a professional. Many employers have Employee Assistance Programs that you can enroll in to talk about work and personal issues. Seeking out a nursing conference is also something to consider. Connecting with nurses who are experiencing the same difficulties as you might help you lower your overall stress.
5 Plan things to look forward to
As a nurse, it is easy to focus on caring for others and forgetting your needs. You can take the time to plan exciting things to do outside of work that you can look forward to. This can be anything from trying a new restaurant with friends to a night in with a glass of wine and a new Netflix series. Having something to look forward to after work will keep you motivated and positive.
Moving to a new place can be stressful, and you do not want that stress to turn into burnout. Keeping those stressors bottled up is only going to make you feel worse.
As a nurse, feelings of burnout are extremely common and normal. Different cities around the country have plenty of resources that you can utilize.
Our recruiters are also always there to help you through things like burnout. Do not be afraid to reach out because it is our job to be here for you and help you through any struggles you may be going through during your journey!