Coping with Job Burnout

By Michael Sullivan | Posted February 13, 2015

It’s inevitable that even the most positive health care professionals are going to have a bad day at work. Insurance headaches, patients who show up late or not at all for appointments, unpaid bills, challenges hiring the right employees, and the push to get everything done on schedule combined with managing a home life can be frustrating, depressing and even overwhelming.  Fortunately, these difficult periods are usually short-lived, and the employee returns to a more normal, satisfying workplace routine.

There are times, however, when one bad day at the office begets  a pattern of challenging days, wreaking havoc on an employee’s motivation and productivity. These employees may demonstrate a lack of interest in their assignments and feel irritable, impatient, easily frustrated, and critical of their work, as well as the work of others. Additionally, they may experience extreme fatigue and feelings of anxiety and disillusionment.

It is possible that a physical malady may be causing such behavior, but more often these symptoms are generally the result of job burnout.  Job burnout, according to the Mayo Clinic, is, “A special type of job stress – state of physical, emotional or mental exhaustion combined with doubts about your competence and the value of your work.”

The  results of job burnout include:  feeling powerless over job responsibilities, the inability to understand or meet demanding job expectations, or a lack of recognition for a job well done. Sometimes one’s routine becomes monotonous and unchallenging, or, alternatively, too hectic and overwhelming.

Many health care professionals also struggle with work/life balance, as they often work long hours, including evenings and weekends, and their jobs may require them to be on call. If an employee rarely has time for family and friends or the opportunity to explore personal interests outside of the workplace, he or she may feel personally diminished. Reduced productivity, strained relationships, and feelings of isolation are some of the harmful effects of job burnout. In severe situations, an employee may become severely depressed or exhibit violent behavior. If a feeling of hopelessness persists, the employee may simply resign from the job.

Fortunately, job burnout is reversible in many cases. Below are some tips:

• Recognize there is a problem, slow down and reflect upon it. Determine what the stressors were that caused job burnout in the first place.
• Seek support from others, including family, friends, and colleagues. Talking about issues can prove cathartic and offer new insights and solutions.
• Look for new experiences or opportunities to learn different skills. Adding variety to one’s daily schedule can provide a much-needed lift.
• Take breaks.  It is not healthy to work 100 percent of the time; everyone needs time to rest and recharge.

It can be easy to get stuck in a rut, but there are ways to dig out and redirect one’s thoughts,  creating a healthy, happy, and productive workplace experience.