Burnout can happen to anyone, but healthcare workers are especially susceptible. The demanding nature of healthcare work has led to crisis-level rates of burnout in recent years, exacerbated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. All this to say, if you’re experiencing burnout at your current healthcare job, you’re not alone. And if you’re ready to start looking for a new position, you’re probably on the hunt for an employer that has more respects for your work/life balance. Here are some tips for finding a new burnout-free job:
Know what causes burnout
While everyone has different burnout triggers, most can be summed up in a few categories. Understanding these common causes can help you avoid them as you search for your new job. Burnout is typically cause by lack of:
Rest: you don’t have enough time off to sleep, recharge, and relax.
Purpose: you don’t feel as if you’re making a difference with your work.
Independence: you don’t have any agency over your work.
Support: you don’t have a workplace family to lean on.
Look out for warning signs in job descriptions
Terms like “team player”, “fast paced”, and “hardworking” could indicate an employer that has unreasonable demands for their workers – i.e. they expect you to go above and beyond 24/7. Likewise, a vague job listing that doesn’t include exact workplace responsibilities could be a red flag for an overbearing or micromanaging supervisor who wants to control your job duties.
Ask burnout-related questions in your interview
Come up with a list of questions to ask during your interview to get a better idea of the company culture. Even just inquiring about their PTO policy can provide a lot of information about the type of workplace they’re running. You may also want to ask about their mental health benefits and wellness perks. An employer that prioritizes your mental health will provide ample time off and comprehensive mental wellness benefits.
Consider where you can improve
Like it or not, we’re all capable of mitigating our own burnout to an extent. No amount of positive thinking is going to make a hectic, impossibly demanding job enjoyable. However, a little bit of self-coaching can make a huge difference in your ability to manage workplace stress. Think about how you can choose to respond differently to your burnout triggers. For example, instead of taking on every assignment you’re given, you can learn how to set boundaries and start saying no when you’re overloaded.
Are You Looking For a New Healthcare Job?
At AMEA Healthcare, we’re committed to placing you with a company that puts you first – as a person, not just a worker. We’ll help you find a position and company that fits your lifestyle, with the shifts, location, and workplace culture you’ve been looking for. Apply to one of our open positions today.
