03/06/2026
💙 Burnout in Nursing – How I Cope With It
More and more nurses are leaving the profession because of burnout. I won’t pretend I haven’t had moments when I questioned whether I should keep going.
But you know what? I love my job too much to give up that easily.
For years, I have been making a conscious effort to find time for myself and not allow the system, the pressure, and the daily stress to take away the joy I find in nursing. I truly believe that if we want to take good care of others, we must first take care of ourselves.
For a long time, I thought that being a good nurse meant always putting everyone else first. Today, I know that’s not entirely true. When we are exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty, we cannot give our patients the best of ourselves. Self-care is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Every morning, I wake up about an hour earlier. I start with a few minutes of vibration exercises and body tapping, which help stimulate circulation and boost my energy levels. Then I spend around 20 minutes meditating.
Before breakfast, which I usually have during my break at work, I drink warm water with cloves and leave my coffee until later. These simple rituals help me start the day feeling calmer, more focused, and full of energy.
After a morning like this, it’s much easier to face the challenges of a 12-hour shift and maintain the balance that is so important in our profession.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised that I don’t have to save the whole world at the expense of my own health. I can be a dedicated nurse and still make time for myself.
I don’t know how many more years I’ll work in nursing, but I do know one thing – I want to do it with joy, not out of obligation. 💙
What about you? How do you take care of yourself, and what helps you stay energised and balanced each day? ☕🌿
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