A Guide to Nurse Burnout and How to Get Help for It

Burnout in nursing is a growing problem in the medical profession in America and worldwide. Among healthcare professionals, nurses have a unique set of stressors. Often, however, they may be more reticent to ask for help. Since a steady workforce of nurses providing for the healthcare needs of patients is so critical to a healthy society, nurse burnout and how to get help for it are important topics of discussion.

What are the Unique Stressors that Lead to Burn Out in Nursing?

Nursing stress is different from other jobs and comes with unique challenges. Nurses take care of people like doctors do and often go beyond what’s expected to help those who depend on them. People who have survived trauma, violence, natural disasters, sudden life-threatening conditions and accidents make up their patient base. That kind of responsibility builds up fast.

Doctors and nurses are often the last hope for individuals who may otherwise die without immediate medical attention. But while doctors see patients for some time and then go on to other duties, nurses work long hours providing nursing care to patients. Often, their shifts overlap days, which can contribute to chronic exhaustion. (This is not to minimize the stressors that doctors face every day. In the medical profession, both doctors and nurses face unique challenges and daily stressors that could be detrimental to their physical and mental health.)

As for nurses, they want to put on the best face for their patients, so they tend to ignore potential signs that they may be experiencing nurse burnout. Instead, they seek to reassure their patients by calming their fears and ministering to their needs (while often pushing their own to the background).

Are There Statistics for Nurses and Mental Health/Substance Abuse?

According to a 2013 study, nurses experience substance use disorders at about the same rate as the general population—around 10 percent. A more concerning picture emerges in other research. Nearly half of nurses surveyed admitted to using drugs or drinking while on the job. Substance use affected their ability to work, four out of ten reported. Over 21 percent struggled with substance abuse, a 2020 study found, though some hesitated to report it.

Mental health struggles have worsened as well. About 40 percent of nurses felt depressed, a 2021 survey from the American Nurses Foundation showed—an increase from 30 percent the previous year. Emotional strain, exhaustion, and long shifts all take a toll over time.

Burnout does more than push nurses out of the profession. It affects the quality of care they give. Patients suffer when overworked nurses are running on empty. When too many leave, hospitals end up short-staffed, making the problem worse for those who stay.

Why are Nurses Resistant to Seeking Help?

Nurses are the most frequently seen medical professionals by patients assigned to their care. The causes of nurse burnout are not hard for others to see. Working long hours and often neglecting their self-care, nurses are known to continue to push through arduous schedules, back-to-back shifts, and days without sufficient rest.

As a helping profession, they are a calming and comforting presence to those they care for and may overlook causes of burnout in their everyday life. Worse, they are much more likely to be resistant to seeking help for burnout, stress, fatigue, and dependence upon negative coping methods such as substance abuse. Nurses experiencing mental health disorders like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression are also less likely to seek treatment.

What are the Mental Health Needs Among Nurses

One form of nursing burnout is called “compassion fatigue.” This is characterized by physical, spiritual, and emotional exhaustion that is deep and accompanied by often acute emotional pain. Compassion fatigue can also manifest as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse. These issues typically do not go away on their own and require professional treatment to overcome.

By ignoring the signs and symptoms of nurse burnout, nurses may unwittingly be on a path toward further negative consequences. Thus, the mental health needs of nurses should be at the heart of programs devoted to improving their overall health.

Stress and Burnout in Nursing

Studies have found that burnout in nursing may be more prevalent in the critical care environment. Due to the large number of cases critical care nurses see, their work overload, and the need to make rapid decisions and deliver medical care quickly, they are at increased risk for developing PTSD. Yet even though they’re at higher risk, they may be unable to cope with the signs of PTSD due to the chronic work stress they experience.

One difficulty nurses mention is how difficult it is to measure their level of stress. Anecdotally, nurses say that they get used to everyday stress and know they have a tolerance for a certain amount. They try not to exceed that, believing that it’s the amount of stress that’s negative, not stress itself. Yet chronic stress can still negatively impact the body and mind.

Some nurses handle job-related stress better than others. Maybe they spot the warning signs early or have solid ways to cope. That kind of awareness makes a difference—it helps them stay in the game longer without burning out.

Finding ways to manage stress makes a tough job a little easier. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and leaning on support groups built for nurses can help. Some find relief in meditation or yoga. Others turn to breathwork or spirituality. What works varies, but the key is having something that keeps the stress from piling up.

Does Burnout in Nursing Lead to Substance Misuse?

Nurse burnout and substance abuse go hand in hand way more often than people realize. Long hours, relentless pressure and the emotional toll of patient care push some nurses toward unhealthy coping methods—drinking too much, misusing prescription drugs, or even turning to stronger substances.

For some, alcohol takes the edge off after a brutal shift. For others, stimulants become a crutch just to power through exhausting back-to-back shifts. It starts as a way to survive the grind but can spiral into something that’s hard to come back from—sometimes requiring professional help to break free.

Steps to Seeking Care as a Nurse

Admitting that they need help to overcome challenges like substance abuse or a mental health disorder can be harder for nurses. It’s not easy for anyone. Yet nurses, as health professionals, need to know that they will benefit more when they seek care through a group that understands the nursing culture. These groups include the following:

• American Nurses Association
• American Psychiatric Nurses Association
• American Holistic Nurses Association

How to Get Help

Here are some steps nurses can take to seek care for causes of burnout in nursing.

• If in crisis, immediately call or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
• Practicing self-care helps nurses stay healthy. Eating well and not skipping meals, getting at least seven hours of sleep (even though long shifts make this difficult every night), and staying active all make a difference. Even a short walk during a break improves cardiovascular health, releases endorphins that lift mood and provides a moment to step away from stress.
• Addressing substance abuse or mental health struggles caused or worsened by burnout starts with taking action. Contacting the workplace’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helps nurses access support. 
• Reach out to a healthcare provider also opens up options for telehealth or online services.
• Take part in an employer’s mental health screening program and arrange for subsequent treatment and support services. Recognizing that help is readily available can motivate action.

More Resources And Support For Heroes In Nursing:

• 7 Reasons First Responders Need Specialized Mental Health Treatment and Support
• FHE Health Recognizes EMS First Responders on the Frontlines of COVID-19
• The Real Dangers of Fentanyl Exposure for First Responders
• First Responder Mental Health at Heart of New Partnership

We’re Here to Help With Nurse Burnout

At FHE Health, our experts specialize in evidence-based, compassionate care and treatment programs to help nurses combat nurse burnout and associated mental health and substance misuse issues. Contact us to learn more about how we can help. Our staff is always available 24 hours a day to provide confidential information about mental health and substance use treatment programs, as well as resources and links to obtain additional assistance.

Nurse burnout doesn’t have to end a career or cause unnecessary suffering. We may be able to help. Contact us today at 1-844-299-1618 for more information about treatment options.