Question

Joe is a new nurse who thinks his transition to nursing practice is moving forward quickly. As a highly motivated and quick learner, Joe decides to immerse himself in his new career by volunteering for overtime two or three times a week. He thinks that this action will positively affect his ability to transition into nursing practice. He critically evaluates his performance, often finding fault with many small actions. Frequently, nurses ask him to cover part or all of a midnight shift. Joe almost always accepts, stating that he doesn't really sleep well anyway. During his 2-month evaluation, his unit manager tells him what a wonderful job he is doing. Joe responds with a list of all his weaknesses and explains how he plans to rectify each of them.

1. What symptoms does Joe exhibit that make him a candidate for early burnout?
   
   
2. What suggestions would you give Joe to alleviate the early signs of mental and physical burnout?
   
   
3. Joe tells you that the transition period from student nurse to registered nurse was the worst time of his life. How would you respond? How would you turn this into a positive interaction?
   
   

Answer 1

ANSWER: BURNOUT is unresolved stress from personal or professional life for long time which causes emotional, mental and physical exhaustion and results to no working properly. It has 5 stages:

Joe is in honeymoon phase which is first and starting phase of burnout. Joe shows the following sign and symptoms of early burnout:

• the commitment of job for giving 100 percent
• high productivity level
• energetic
• uncontrolled optimistic attitude.
• readily accepting responsibilities from others like doing night duty.
• Ready to prove himself by performing and accepting every task.

ANSWER : If early sign and symptoms of burnout is not reduced or treated then it may cause habitual or chronic stress in life, therefore it should be recognized as early as possible and take into consideration. Some suggestions or measure to alleviate symptoms are:

• 3 R approach:
• RECOGNIZE the problem as soon as possible, observe the individual closely for sign and symptoms.
• REVERSE take help from others, support and advise for managing stress.
• RESILIENCE; build your capacity to maintain your mental and physical health, perform such activities.
• more social contact and interaction: start enjoying other companies, communicate with them, make more social contacts and seek their help also.
• limit contact with negative people : limit your contact with who is stressed or negative in opinions or who manipulates you,take advantage of you.
• set boundaries: this is for the people who manipulate you, take your advantage or misuse you. Try to say no in a respectful manner, always do not try to prove yourself.
• nourish your body, take rest: it is very important to take your time for yourself, take adequate sleep and rest, get healthy diet and do your favourite activities.
• improve your lifestyle
• reduce alcohol intake

ANSWER : Yeah! we can say transition from student life to registered nurse is stressful but not worst situation. It arises stress, anxiety, fear, many questions in our mind but it's a part of life and after a period of time everyone can overcome this situation. We are worried about job satisfaction, responsibilities as registered nurse whether we can give our 100% in job or provide holistic and standard care or make any error etc. It's natural and should be prepare yourself for such change.

We can cope up this situation by following techniques:

1. time management
2. self reflection: do work as registered nurse and reflect your performance after period of time. whether you are satisfied from your job and care or not, assess your abilities and strength, or weakness.
3. improve practical skills
4. get correct mentoring or supervision
5. do work smarter not harder
6. be organized, competant
7. give time to yourself

We will turn this interaction into positive interaction by following ways:

• understand and empathize the feeling of joe.
• explore his coping strategies
• understand and talk about his past experiences from clinical shift
• difficulties faced by him, explore him fully and assess his condition
• telling him same stories from experience that will encourage and motivate him further that it's a part of life.
• be more attentive and reduce environmental distraction
• telling the ways how he can overcome this situation and where to go for further help.
• teach problem solving and conflict solving strategies.
• give opportunities to share his views and his participation.
• use collaborative and integrative strategies