When I Realised I Was Burned Out as a Nurse

There was a time when I believed I would always feel this way.

I worked long shifts, missed breaks because the operating list was busy, and constantly had sore feet before going home too exhausted to do anything.

Then one morning, I woke up and didn’t want to go to work.

It wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy nursing, but because I had nothing left to give.

At that point, I realised that I wasn’t simply tired—I was burnt out.

Burnout, In Retrospect

Honestly, I think it’s fair to say that burnout can be a very sneaky thing.

Looking back, I can see that it had been developing slowly for a long time without me even realising it.

I told myself it wasn’t the shifts; then I decided I was simply too busy, and later convinced myself that I only needed more sleep.

Yet I always woke up tired, regardless of how much rest I had.

I was snapping at people over minor things, brushing off cases I would once have taken a personal interest in, and emotionally withdrawing after difficult calls because I no longer had the strength to cope with them.

I wasn’t truly living.

Outside work, I wasn’t myself; I couldn’t enjoy the things that used to lift my spirits and was simply trying to make it through each day.

Causes of Burnout

Looking back now, I can’t blame it on one specific reason, because there wasn’t just one.

It was the result of a combination of events and lifestyle choices that gradually led to it.

Long hours.

Missing breaks because the list was full.

I wanted to give my patients the very best of myself, but week after week I had to stretch myself thinner and thinner.

I would leave the hospital with something weighing on my mind because I lacked the mental capacity to deal with it then, and I would still be carrying it when I returned the next morning.

Staying resilient for my patients, because that is what nurses do.

Over time, all these things accumulated and broke me.

What Burnout Changed

Honestly, the hardest part of burnout for me was not the exhaustion but losing parts of myself.

I became someone different.

I grew quieter, less patient with people, and simply no longer felt like myself.

I noticed myself doing small things I never would have done before.

I would hurry through tasks I once would have taken my time with, and that frightened me.

Patient safety is one of the most essential aspects of nursing, and I knew I could not keep going that way while pretending everything was fine.

How I Recovered

Honestly, recovering was a slow process.

It took considerable time and, in some ways, a great deal of self-discovery.

The most important thing I learned was that caring for myself was not self-indulgent, so I began making small lifestyle changes.

The first step was simply paying attention to how I was feeling.

When I was tired, I allowed myself time to rest, and I stopped telling myself that skipping meals was normal or that I did not need to take a lunch break.

I spoke with people.

Trusted colleagues who provided a safe space, and I was surprised to discover that many of them could relate.

Burnout is more widespread than we like to admit.

I learned mindfulness and how to care for my mental health.

Simple practices, such as taking a minute before my shift to centre myself, breathe deeply, and notice my surroundings.

At times, those small things made a significant difference.

In the end, I sought professional help, and I am truly grateful that I did.

For a long time, I believed that reaching out was a cop-out, but it proved to be one of the most important things I could have done.

I discovered that I was better at managing my time and could learn to protect my personal time more firmly.

Once my shift ended, it was truly finished, allowing me to focus on being present with the people and activities that mattered to me.

I gradually brought back hobbies that had fallen by the wayside and began enjoying myself again, little by little.

Burnout Is More Than a Personal Crisis

One thing I’ve learnt is that burnout is more than a personal crisis.

Although nursing can be incredibly demanding, placing the entire responsibility on the individual is not a good idea.

Nurses should advocate for themselves in the workplace and ensure they receive safe staffing ratios, breaks, and mental health support.

They should be able to know that they are not alone.

Taking Care of Oneself Matters

These days, I try to be more mindful of the warning signs.

When life becomes busy and I forget to take my breaks, I remind myself to slow down.

I remind myself to take my lunch break, ask for help, and spend time doing things I enjoy that have nothing to do with nursing.

I’ve learnt that I cannot give from an empty well and that self-care is an important part of nursing.

Final Reflections

If you are reading this and struggling with emotional exhaustion, I want you to know that you are not alone.

Nurses experience this all the time, and it does not make you a bad nurse.

Sometimes it is simply a difficult period, and you have pushed yourself too hard for too long.

Nursing is a rewarding career, but it is also highly demanding.

Take care of yourself, take the breaks you need, accept support, and remember that your well-being matters just as much as your patients’ well-being, if

More Stories You May Enjoy

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Helpful Resource

If you’d like to learn more about mindfulness techniques for healthcare professionals, Mindful.org offers practical articles and simple exercises that can be helpful during stressful times.

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