A. TELLTALE SYMPTOMS

The old saying that "charity begins at home" has important implications for people in the nursing profession. Our ability to cope and to deal with the daily stresses that arise in a people-oriented job are harder to handle when we are so tired and overworked from trying to take care of the lives of other people that we neglect our own needs. Eventually, burnout occurs. The following is a list of characteristics of burnout:

1. Exhaustion and easy tiring
2. Disenchantment with work
3. Feeling isolated--socially, psychologically, and/or physically
4. A growing apathy towards staff, patients, families
5. Unprofessional feelings, attitudes or behaviors at work
6. Increase in cynical attitudes
7. An unhealthy increase in alcohol or food consumption or changing healthy behaviors for unhealthy ones
8. Lacking interests in client outcomes
9. Having persistent, recurring thoughts about whether you are in the right profession or about changing jobs
10. Missing work
11. Developing health problems
12. Being slow to return clients' phone calls or to reschedule canceled meetings.
13. Showing pessimism about outcomes
14. Displaying less enthusiasm and intensity toward client
15. Feeling unappreciated
16. Loss of the ability to laugh or to see the "light side"
17. Dreading going to work
18. Having trouble sleeping

B. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE & OVERCOMING YOUR OWN OR STAFF BURNOUT

The best way to avoid problems due to fatigue, overwork, and burnout is to prevent it. The following are some guidelines of guarding against burnout:

1. Arrange working and environmental conditions so that fatigue and burnout are not likely to occur
2. Schedule short "breathing spaces" during the day
3. Always take a lunch break
4. Develop a support system with other colleagues
5. Consult frequently with your supervisor
6. Arrange your office or work space in a pleasing manner
7. When not working, learn to engage in relaxing activities
8. Don't bring your work home with you
9. Don't dwell on what happened at work during leisure time
10. Let off steam about your feelings to an empathic listener
11. ll. Change the size or type of load you carry
12. Take some time off from work (mental health days)
13. Do something each day that in some way is pleasing to you and meets your needs
14. Avoid being taken in by co-workers wanting to abdicate their responsibilities
15. Keep meetings brief and to the point. Have an agenda
16. Exercise selectivity in responding to emergency calls
17. Remind yourself you cannot control other people's behavior
18. Realize that progress includes setbacks
19. Maintain your sense of humor
20. Avoid alcohol or drug abuse
21. Get adequate rest
22. Watch your physical health and nutrition
23. Get plenty of exercise
24. Keep abreast of current advances in your profession
25. Organize priorities in your work to maintain physical stamina
26. Learn to delegate authority
27. Learn to admit the need for help in the job
28. Limit the number of hours you work