How Baton Rouge’s health care workers facing burnout can find relief

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – South Louisiana’s health care workers have been there to help us through the COVID-19 pandemic, during severe flooding and through a seemingly endless number of hurricanes.

When we’ve felt our worst, they’ve provided compassionate care. And though we may feel like we’re their only patient, the truth is we are one of many they’re assisting.

But when their long shifts come to an end, are they able to put the stress of the day behind them and relax? Not always.

Louisiana medical staff are prime candidates for burnout. It’s a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress.

Dr. Michelle Dennis, Dean of Nursing at Baton Rouge Community College, said, “A long-term career as a nurse can affect one’s mental health in many ways.”

Causes of burnout

Haley David a nurse Practitioner with RKM Primary Care described what can lead health care workers to experience a decline in emotional stamina, saying, “Poor work environments, such as not having the supplies you need to do your job, noncompliant patients, excessive workloads, compassion fatigue — for example, working in the hospital it wouldn’t be uncommon to have a patient crashing in one room and right next door someone complaining wondering why their care was taking so long.”

“You can’t help but get frustrated and lose some of your compassion during times like these,” David said. “Also, taking work home or internalizing the care or difficulty situations you experience can definitely lead to burnout.”

Dennis explained that dealing with these situations on a daily basis can make someone become desensitized, which causes a slew of problems.

“In developing these behaviors, it can cause issues in your personal relationships. This may lead to others feeling you are not as responsive to them because you have trained yourself to treat everything as a work situation and not get involved,” Dennis said.

She also warned of another extreme.

“There can also be the other side of this issue — when one becomes too involved and can be overly empathic to everyone’s issues,” Dennis said. “This can lead to depression and exhaustion over the years.”

Stella Brown, a licensed clinical social worker with RKM Primary Care with more than 43 years of experience, added that the business side of the industry can also lead to burnout.

“In the job of providing health care, one must accept that you can never catch up,” Brown said. “If you catch up on patients, charting and referrals in the evening, by the morning you are behind again. The paperwork required is always mountainous. The demands of patients who are scared and often angry pull you in many directions. There are always emergencies to be handled.”

Brown said, “Our desire to provide excellent care can sometimes blind us to our own emotional and physical needs.”

Look for signs of burnout

If a medical employee is dangerously exhausted, what signs can friends, family members, or colleagues look for that indicate a problem?

Dennis listed the following possible warning signs:

• Changes in attitude or behavior with coworkers and patients
• Excessive callouts or lateness
• Detachment from patient-centered activities and patient care
• Changes in the way patient care is provided, which often includes a lack of compassion
• Errors with medications, collecting labs and/or performing treatment protocols. 
• Voicing negative concerns about the organization and other care providers on the team. 

Talk to people who understand

It’s possible to regain balance after burnout.

“It is of the utmost importance to have a support system, both inside and outside of your profession,” Brown said. “Work friends know the challenges and can understand what you are experiencing. They are often the first ones to provide support.”

David agreed, “Communication is so essential, in all aspects. Communicate with your superiors; communicate with your peers. People have been where you have been and may have helpful advice.”

Brown continued, “Having family and friends are the next line. My husband is not in the health care profession, but he gives the best hugs. Having pets has been shown to increase the feel-good neurotransmitters.”

Get outdoors and go for a walk

Physical activity is also recommended as a form of therapy.

“Having physical outlets, such as walking and working out, help stress. Being outside, now called ‘forest bathing’ lowers stress hormones,” Brown said.

David added, “Take time to care for yourself through prayer, meditation, yoga or CrossFit to name a few. I pray and do CrossFit five days a week. This has created a physical outlet for all the things I internalize during the day. Not to mention, you should be exercising already for your heart health 30 minutes a day, five days a week! You can’t dispute the mental and physical benefits of exercise, hands down.”

Take time off to rest

There are other practical steps to take.

“The most important and sometimes the most difficult is taking the time off you are allowed,” David said. “It used to be a point of pride to leave vacation time on the table and to work through sickness.”

Dennis touched on this as well. “If possible, a vacation or a small leave could also assist with burnout. Time away from a situation can sometimes be beneficial in restoring balance to work life.  It could also be time for a change. Change in job or unit in its entirety, as the desire to act in your previous role is no longer a viable option for you and presents a compromise to the individual’s mental health and well-being.”

Dennis added, “If the issues are related specifically to the unit or area assigned, talk with the director or supervisor about the issues. If the issues are patient-related, then this can be helped with a change in assignment or unit. If the person has been on a particular shift for a very long time, especially the night shift, a change in shifts or units can be helpful.”

Why keep going?

Despite the challenges, there’s a reason so many continue in their roles as caregivers.

Brown said, “I have been blessed to work with very courageous human beings. My patients continue to teach me important life lessons even after all this time. Most of the time, I feel humbled. I also get to go to work with smart, dedicated professionals who provide support and a common purpose in life. Not many of us stay in this profession to get wealthy. It’s hard work, but the rewards for most outweigh the costs.”

David said, “Being able to care and help others, listening, teaching and being there for other people is so rewarding. There is no other feeling at the end of the day knowing you have made a difference or helped someone through a tough time — that is incredibly fulfilling.”

Advice for new workers

Brown and David also urged new employees to protect their well-being.

“Take time to learn about yourself. How do you handle stress now and is there a way you could do better,” David said. “Communicate your concerns to others, people have gone before you and likely experienced what you have experienced. Make sure you have someone to talk to even if it’s that person that just sits and listens to your day having no idea what you are talking about, it helps.”

Brown agreed, “In the mental health field, the best therapists are those who have their own therapists. Make sure you know how to share your feelings with others, even your fears and sadness. Seeing what we see is emotional. If we shut down, that can lead to cynicism and loss of belief in what and why we are in the health care field.”

She added, “And rest! Interrupted sleep and appetite are symptoms of anxiety and stress. Monitor your own well-being.”

Most workers experience periods of fatigue and even frustration. Brown says this doesn’t mean these individuals have chosen the wrong field.

“It means you are learning and gaining wisdom that you can share with the next group of young professionals,” Brown said.

Immediate resources

If you’re a medical worker experiencing burnout, Dennis recommends contacting your company’s employee assistance line. She said it offers staff free and confidential therapy.

RKM Primary Care has behavioral health counselors and nurse practitioners that can help with an immediate mental crisis or long-term counseling. For more information, visit the RKM website rkmcare.org.

The federal government also provides help to anyone in need of immediate assistance via the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Anyone experiencing mental distress can go to www.988lifeline.org for help or text 988.