The role of a nurse practitioner revolves heavily around providing the most optimal care for patients. It’s a position that constantly demands compassion, patience, and empathy. These are expected by nurse practitioners entering the profession—but what happens if the patience burns out? What about when an overload of difficult patient cases leads to compassion fatigue? What happens when an NP loses their joy?
There are a multitude of strategies to address fatigue and burnout from work. Some sources promote meditation or journaling, while others encourage simply taking a break.
While these are helpful strategies, their impact on addressing burnout can be limited, especially when addressing high patient loads due to staffing shortages. Some nurse practitioners may also feel like they find their identity the best within their roles, which then adds the pressure to overwork themselves.
Like most other issues, the best solution to burnout is prevention. For the NP looking to fight off burnout and find joy outside of work, here are a few strategies to try out.
Find A Creative Outlet
Engaging in creative hobbies is a great way to decompress after dealing with work-related stressors. Hobbies such as painting, knitting, writing, or other artistic endeavors can serve as creative outlets that mitigate stress and promote mindfulness and relaxation.
You don’t have to be a pro either! One study from Drexel University found that creating art significantly reduces stress levels no matter the skill level. During the study, an incredible 75% of participants experienced a drop in cortisol levels after only 45 minutes and absolutely no correlation with past experiences making art.
So, if there was ever an artistic hobby you were interested in—give it a try! The end product doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s the mental clarity during the process that makes the activity well worth it.
Time to Travel
Working as an NP is a time-consuming endeavor. It also seems like there’s no time to travel. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t try. In fact, it means you should.
According to a survey of over 1,100 people, 29% who hadn’t taken a vacation in the last 12 months were more stresses than those who had taken at least two or more. After their vacation, 50.7% of men and 48.7% of women reported higher productivity levels.
Burnout is a productivity killer, and the higher risk of stress coming from missing out on vacation can only add to that.
Be intentional about vacation time, allowing for the opportunity to break the everyday routine and travel to new destinations. By taking a vacation, whether it’s to a local destination or overseas, NPs can experience a sense of adventure, inspiration, and a newfound look at the world around them that can only benefit the work they do after they return.
Build Community
The importance of community and belonging cannot be understated. Research has shown that a healthy sense of belonging leads to numerous benefits, including improved mental health. On the other hand, experiencing a lack of belonging “has been linked to an increased risk for mental and physical health problems.”
To improve their mental health and reduce the risk of burnout, NPs can engage in social hobbies, such as book clubs or team sports. By embracing community activities, NPs can combat isolation and foster nurturing relationships that encourage their sense of belonging.
Reclaim Balance and Joy
Preventing burnout is not just about treating symptoms—it’s about creating a fulfilling life and finding joy outside of work. By exploring creative outlets, traveling to new places, and engaging in social hobbies, NPs can find balance and reclaim joy in their lives.
