Resilience is a Word I Hear Too Much Healthcare workers already work long hours in stressful situations. However, the pandemic increased the emotional burden, with many patients isolated from visitors. Nurses gave emotional support to the patients as they said goodbye to their loved ones via video conference. This created a perfect storm that has…
The night I realized something had to change wasn’t dramatic; it was silent. A day that was so busy that no one would dare utter the q word (quiet). I was charting at 3 a.m., exhausted, my hands still shaking from running nonstop for hours. A patient had thanked me for “caring so much,” and…
Trigger warning: miscarriage As an OB nurse and nurse-midwife with decades of obstetric experience, I’ve unfortunately cared for dozens of patients experiencing pregnancy loss. But nothing prepared me for experiencing a miscarriage as a nurse myself, especially with a Paragard IUD. This is my personal story of grief, uncertainty, and navigating the healthcare system from…
Ever finish a shift, but texts, pages, and drop-ins keep coming? I wrapped up my charge nurse night shift with two patients, stayed late to cover a birth, and then opened my laptop to renew my neonatal resuscitation license—only to be reminded that my mandatory learning modules were due the next day.When I returned to…
The shift ends, the charting lingers, the weight of the day sticks. If you feel stretched thin by long hours and emotional load, you are not alone. Almost two-thirds of nurses (62%) report feeling burned out, as evidenced by changes in their sleep patterns, mood, and ability to focus. Your work is vital, and your…
I took my children to see Fantastic Four. I didn’t expect to order the unlimited popcorn bucket. I also didn’t expect to tear up at the symbolism of birth and motherhood, but here I was. It made me realize how the resilience of labor echoes the resilience nurses need when facing burnout. According to the…
Barbie hits different when you’re carrying the emotional load of caregiving I certainly didn’t expect to laugh, cry, and spiral into a full-on identity crisis while watching the Barbie movie, but here we are. It hit me with this weird mix of joy, rage, and hope. Explore the 30-Day Burnout Recovery Plan for Nurses. Honestly,…
