I get this question a lot from nurse practitioners.
APRNs have so much stress and worry about whether quitting their job is the right decision.
They identify the stressors in their current role, seeing 30+ patients a day, unsupportive administration, negative comments from other healthcare providers, low pay for the amount of work. They are ready to quit their job and find something with better work-life balance, less stress, elimination of burnout.
The question is: Should you quit the nurse practitioner job that is burning you out?
My answer: Maybe…
Quitting your job is not going to solve your burnout overnight.
Leaving a toxic work environment, unsupportive administration, or unrealistic expectations at a job can be a huge step forward.
But it is not going to make all of your stress and problems go away.
Let’s look at an example. Say you quit your primary care job today and easily find another job with more income. Everything is going well and you are excited about the new possibilities. Two months into the job one of your colleagues quits, you find yourself taking on more patients.
Maybe your spouse’s job changes and they are traveling more. Say your child starts jr. high and they have more activities you feel guilty for missing.
Any of these factors can contribute to feeling burned-out.
Quitting your job will not solve these issues.
Setting boundaries, prioritizing your time, and taking care of yourself will help you overcome nurse practitioner burnout.
Reflect on what changes you can make in your personal life. Write down what you love about your current role. Figure out how you want to be spending your time. Weigh the risks and benefits of leaving your job. Take some time to determine the best decision for YOU.
For more information on overcoming nurse practitioner burnout, check out Burnout Resolution for Nurse Practitioners.
For time management and charting tips, check out The Nurse Practitioner Charting School– The one stop for all documentation resources created specifically for nurse practitioners. Learn more at www.npchartingschool.com
**Full disclosure, this blog post may include affiliate links. I do receive a commission if any of the affiliate programs/services/supplies are purchased. This is at no extra cost to you but does allow me to continue to provide content as The Burned-out Nurse Practitioner! Thank you!
**Full disclosure, this blog post may include affiliate links. I do receive a commission if any of the affiliate programs/services/supplies are purchased. This is at no extra cost to you but does allow me to continue to provide content as The Burned-out Nurse Practitioner! Thank you!
