Why do healthcare employees quit

Why do healthcare employees quit

Almost 1 in 5 health care workers quit their jobs during COVID, however Nurses burnout didn’t start with COVID-19 and it won’t end with COVID-19 either.

Let’s put it into another perspective. Registered Nurses aren’t just quitting their jobs but leaving the profession as a whole! Nursing is a calling. The average nurse spends 4 years after high school completing grueling and competitive pre-nursing courses such as chemistry, biology, math, physiology, and human development, just to jump into what has been described as the “most challenging” undergraduate degree. Then, and only then, are those that survive qualified to sit for a NCLEX. So, why are many nurses leaving the profession within 2 years of this immense achievement?

1. Stressful work environment

2. Lack of good management or leadership

3. Burnout 

4. Inadequate Staffing

5. Better pay/benefits

In 2020 we called them heroes. In 2021 we are telling them they will be fired if they don’t….. What a difference a year makes. In 2020 they didn’t quit; they went to work every day with the unknown; they worked extraordinarily long hours and shifts, which was unhealthy for them, but they were committed to the field they were in to take care of the ill. What has changed in 2021? Nothing. They are still willing to do all they did in 2020, but now they need our help and support. They need great managers, they need time off, they need adequate staffing and they deserve better pay or benefits i.e., more PTO. 

Let’s start by noticing nurse burnout. Nurses must first know the signs of burnout in order to prevent it. Are employers educating them on this? Nursing burnout can surface in a variety of ways but is frequently related to a handful of symptoms, including fatigue, dreading going to work, feeling underappreciated, and feeling constantly overworked. Do we check in with our nurses?

Tips on preventing nurse burnout:

Practicing self-care and mindfulness is one of the best ways for a nurse to prevent burnout. This includes regulating one’s shift schedule as much as possible and avoiding overloaded responsibilities whenever possible. 

  • Develop strong interpersonal relationships. 
  • Set boundaries between work and personal life. 
  • Get enough sleep. 
  • Care for your physical and mental health. 
  • Seek out therapy or assistant programs.

There is help for nurse burnout. Take the time to get yourself healthy again so that you can continue to be a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. That’s right; the definition of a hero. Moving forward in the face of fear…..that’s courage. 

EZhealthcarejobs.com thanks you for all that you did, have done and, will continue to do.