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5 ways to tell if you’re experiencing burnout

Bitter, battered, negative and unhappy. These qualities do not a nurse make. Ever worked with anyone whose candle seems to dimming each day you see them? Here are five ways to tell if you are approaching that limit. You have nothing nice to say about your job (current position) Nobody’s job is perfect. We all have certain things that annoy us, or drive us batty at work. Everything from a colleague to the red-tape politics can push your buttons from time to time. But, when the common theme is all about what you don’t like, won’t do, or can’t stand it’s time to rethink your situation. The good should always out weigh the bad, otherwise find a new job. New nurses aggravate you You know the old rumor of ‘Nurses eating their young’. Well if you are living proof of this urban legend you need to stop thinking about what a new nurse doesn’t know, and start remembering what it was like to be one! You didn’t walk into this profession knowing everything, someone had to teach you. It’s time to pass on the knowledge, and lessen the fear. These new breed of nurses are willing, able, sharp and smart. Who doesn’t want that type of person as a colleague? Change (Technology) is your enemy It’s the only constant thing in our profession. Everything about our profession continues to change and evolve. Our patients and their presentation has changed, and so should our care. Gone are the days of counting drops in glass bottles (although, yes we still do this), taking temperatures with mercury-filled thermometers and having post-operative patients lying in bed for days. Change is a good thing – for you and our patients. You don’t get along with any of your co-workers Yes, personalities will collide. We all have coworkers that just ‘click’ with us, and others that never meet on the same page. Que sera sera. That challenge exists in every work environment. The difference is, as a rule, you should be getting along with more than you don’t. If you have more enemies than allies, you may want to look in the mirror. It’s not everyone against you, really. You have nothing nice to say about your profession This is by far the worst offense of them all. We work in the greatest profession out there. Sure there are things I don’t like and would rather not have to deal with, but when someone asks me about my chosen profession I light up like a flood light. My mouth starts running a mile a minute about all the great things I have seen, done and experienced. I am wanting to contribute to the ‘whole’ not just be a working part of this awesome machine. You will never catch me say anything negative without a handful of positives to finish my sentence. If you don’t like your choice of profession, please do us all a favor and don’t just talk about leaving. So, do you know anyone who fits any of the above? Burnout isn’t the end my fellow fighters! Maybe you just need a much deserved vacation to re-energize? Maybe a stay-cation? Maybe the recharge involves a change of scenery? That is the great thing about our profession, the unlimited opportunities and options out there! Take advantage of them and fire up that spark! Read more at scrubsmag.com

My 20 tips for ringing in the new year

Happy New Year everyone! Can you believe it’s 2011?? I can remember when we were all scrambling to ‘fix’ the Y2K problem. Time flies when you’re having fun huh? I thought it only appropriate to share some suggestions for how to make 2011 a ‘better’ year or at least a more ‘enjoyable’ and happy year. This of course HAS to include some tips on improving our health (I know.. you’re surprised) Smile more Say thank you as often as possible Shake hands firmly and look them in the eye Don’t let anyone tell you what healthy is – you set the standard Sleep more Dedicate more time to yourself – ALONE Stand up for what and whom you believe in Don’t allow anyone to make you feel inferior Believe in the impossible Approach every day as if it was on purpose Cheating only leads to temporary success and guaranteed failure Strive to be more open-minded – there is more than one way to skin a cat Drink more water Move more Exercise and activity are only boring if you chose those which do not excite you Discover your passion and motivation for life – be sure to use it! Utilize your unlimited amount of resources to improve your situation Change is always a good thing – even in the darkest of times Sleep more. Yes, I said this twice. In the end your success and failure is entirely your fault – show them how it’s done Did you notice this isn’t just for Nurses? Remember my fellow colleagues we’re all still human! My hope is for this year to be ‘your’ year. Your job, your happiness, your life, your family, and your direction are there for the taking. Be sure to start the year off motivated and focused and travel this new year not losing either one! Happy new year everyone! Thanks for being a part of my journey. Read more at scrubsmag.com