Burnout in healthcare workers is largely caused by the toxic work environments and the culture that they perpetuate. Unfortunately, burnout culture and toxic work environments have become the norm in healthcare. It’s gotten to a point where we don’t even recognize how toxic the expectations are because we are so used to being treated poorly. But this is clearly creating working conditions that are not sustainable for any self-respecting human being. In this episode, I talk with Diana Page, Nurse Practitioner and founder of Self Care Catalyst about her experience leaving a toxic work environment and developing a personal commitment to self-care. In this episode, you will learn
- What it looks like to self-advocate and set boundaries even when it feels socially threatening
- How self-worth ties into effective boundary setting
- How to know if an institution is truly prioritizing your well-being vs perpetuating further toxicity
- A post-shift reflection tool to help you create more calm and presence after a chaotic shift
This conversation is full of real talk and will help you to know that you are not alone.
Use the audio player above to listen, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Diana’s Story of Burnout in Healthcare Workers
Burnout in healthcare workers is so common. Diana had her first experience with a burnout in nursing school. She was juggling plenty of things, striving to be an achiever, and not taking time for herself. After the 2009 Recession, she had a hard time looking for a job and was eventually pulled into the field of neurology. She struggled with finding her voice and used to be a “yes” person in order to be appreciated. After four years, burnout took a toll on her so she decided to leave her workplace which she realized was a toxic work environment. Her negative experience became her motivation to mentor and teach others about burnout, setting boundaries, and the importance of wellness.
Healthy Work Environment VS Toxic Work Environment in Healthcare
Several factors contribute to the toxicity of a working environment and therefore to burnout in healthcare workers. Some of the main factors include interactions between colleagues, the leadership, and the organization as a whole. One tangible sign of a toxic work environment is a high rate of turnover.
Ineffective leadership and the lack of appropriate means to incentivize hard work in the workplace also contribute to toxicity. Lack of transparency and trust and the dishonesty of decision-makers compound to create a work environment that leads to burnout in healthcare workers.
Normalizing Burnout in Healthcare Workers
During Chelsea’s residency, the 2nd year residents were “expected” to be spread too thinly and unwell because of the demands of the workplace. Diana added that burnout in healthcare workers has sadly been accepted as the norm. It’s important for the workplace to be committed to prioritizing the improvement of the well-being of their staff. Her workplace recently rolled out an initiative to provide free “Talk Space”, therapy/ counseling support for all employees and family members.
Wellness initiatives work best if you consult with the people you are trying to help.
Transformational Commitment to Self-Care and Wellness
Diana was triggered to be more self-reflective about her well-being when she went through major life changes and trials. She needed to reevaluate her life direction. At that point, she didn’t like how she felt, so she decided to be true to her core and work on what is truly good for her wellbeing. To show her commitment to wellness and self-care, she listened to podcasts, read books, and talked to people with similar experiences to get professional help and advice. She believes in personal responsibility and taking action and thinks we all have so much more power than we realize.
Set boundaries to prevent burnout in healthcare workers
You have to face the fear of socially threatening outcomes if you want to set boundaries. You have to decide if it’s better to have a hard conversation or a hard life. Unfortunately, when burnout in healthcare workers happens, it’s usually because they are choosing to have a hard life and avoiding difficult conversations.” It is acceptable to have limitations and to put more value on your own experiences than those of others. Boundaries are always no” answers, but can also be “yes, but” or “yes, and.”
In order to stay firm in enforcing boundaries, it is important to take a pause to think carefully about what you want to say and mean. The more you set your boundaries, the easier it gets because your confidence builds and people respect you. By doing this, you set an example for others that it is okay to ask for what you need.
The Post-Shift Reflection Tool
Burnout in healthcare workers can be mitigated by implementing several routine self-care practices such as post-shift reflection. Diana developed a post-shift reflection tool that helps people come back to calmness after mentally running a million miles during a long shift. This tool gives the opportunity to assess where you really want to be. It is about creating intentional rest, calm, and presence. Checking in on yourself is an act of self-love and self-compassion.
