9 ways to address nursing burnout
Get tips and resources to help overcome your emotional exhaustion.
Jan, 2026
1 of 10
Slide 1
If you get a pit in your stomach before your shift starts and you’d rather pull the covers over your head than pull on your scrubs, you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted in February 2022 by staffing firm Incredible Health, 34 percent of nurses surveyed said it was likely they would leave their jobs by the end of the year, with 44 percent indicating that burnout was to blame.
In addition to low job satisfaction, burnout can lead to:
- Poor patient outcomes
- Low patient satisfaction scores
- Work injuries
- Depression and anxiety
- Compassion fatigue
Here are nine ways to address burnout and find joy in your work once again.
Written byMichael Gollust.
Medically reviewed byJoanne Perron, MD.
Sources: Shah MK + 7
- Shah MK, Gandrakota N, Cimiotti JP, Ghose N, Moore M, Ali MK. Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Nurse Burnout in the US. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(2):e2036469.
- Vahey DC, Aiken LH, Sloane DM, Clarke SP, Vargas D. Nurse burnout and patient satisfaction. Med Care. 2004;42(2 Suppl):II57-II66.
- Cleveland Clinic. Consult QD. Nine Strategies for Alleviating Nurse Burnout. Oct. 10, 2016.
- Austin W. What is the role of ethics consultation in the moral habitability of health care environments? AMA J Ethics. 2017;19(6):595-600.
- Erickson R, Grove W. Why emotions matter: age, agitation, and burnout among registered nurses. Online J Issues Nurs. 2007;13(1).
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Safe Patient Handling: Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nursing Homes. February 2014.
- Houck D. Helping nurses cope with grief and compassion fatigue: an educational intervention. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2014;18(4):454-458.
- Witkoski A, Dickson VV. Hospital staff nurses’ work hours, meal periods, and rest breaks. AAOHN J. 2010;58(11):489-497.
Recommended for you
How can I be more consistent?