Understanding Burnout and Finding Solutions

Written By Guest User

Author: Maureen Bonatch MSN, RN

“I’m so burned out.”

Your CNA students may have heard this expression, or something like it, from nursing staff during clinical rotation, their peers, or they may have said it themselves. Burnout may be said casually, but there are times to take it more seriously. Words like overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnout have almost become accepted as expected in healthcare. It's as if being constantly busy means you’re a hard worker, even if it comes with sacrificing personal time or physical and mental well-being. 

As a CNA instructor, you can challenge these expectations by educating your students about burnout and potential solutions. Helping them identify and address early symptoms of burnout positively impacts their well-being and that of their clients.

What is burnout? 

Burnout is more than ordinary fatigue. It can lead to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. Once considered a stress syndrome, burnout is now classified as an “occupational phenomenon” by the World Health Organization (WHO)—a syndrome resulting from unmanaged, chronic workplace stress. 

Issues with burnout remain prevalent and continue to rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that In 2022, 46% of health workers reported feeling burned out often or very often compared to 32% in 2018. 

According to the WHO, burnout is characterized by: 

  • Physical exhaustion

  • Mental distance or cynicism about school or work 

  • Reduced professional efficacy

Burnout and depression share similar symptoms. Receiving the wrong or inadequate treatment may only make things worse. The cause of burnout and how symptoms manifest can vary individually, so avoid making assumptions.

Other signs of burnout may include: 

  • Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

  • Neglecting personal care

  • Frequent illness or feeling the need for a “mental health day”

  • Experiencing stress-related ailments such as sleep disturbances or headaches 

  • Depression or anxiety

Causes of burnout

The CNA students you’re training will work on the front lines of client care. As a CNA instructor, you can help your students prepare to care for themselves and their clients. 

The healthcare environment is fast-paced and ever-changing, and some nursing staff wear their feelings of exhaustion like a badge of honor. Caring for distressed, suffering, or dying clients can take a toll, leading to emotional exhaustion or burnout.

Other potential causes of burnout can include:

  • Shortage of staff or supplies

  • Risk of exposure to infectious disease 

  • Risk of violence from clients or families

 Impact of burnout

Working in healthcare often means long hours and rotating shiftwork, which can be demanding. This type of schedule can disrupt the balance between professional and personal life. Insufficient time for self-care, family, and relaxation can lead to chronic stress and fatigue, increasing the risk of burnout. 

Burnout can affect your students while taking the CNA course or after they begin working in healthcare. If they can’t cope with daily stressors to care for themselves, it’s difficult to care for someone else’s needs. If left untreated, this may put their clients at risk. 

Other potential casualties of burnout can include:

  • No interest in finishing the course

  • Lack of empathy and personalized client care

  • Reduction to the quality of care provided

  • Lower client satisfaction

  • Impaired attention to detail 

  • Decreased satisfaction in their work

  • Alcohol or drug use

  • Increased turnover from the profession 

Managing burnout

As you teach your CNA students how to care for their clients, it’s important to emphasize that they care for themselves. Students may experience emotional exhaustion or detachment from the CNA course but may not share these challenges. Some may hide, deny, or not recognize the symptoms of burnout. Sometimes, they may think:

  • I should be able to handle this by myself.

  • I’ll get over it.

  • Dealing with overwhelming stress is part of working in healthcare. 

Avoiding the issue may cause CNA students to overlook signs and not realize they need help. This can lead to their leaving the course or the healthcare profession. The CDC reported that the percentage of health workers who intended to look for a new job increased to 44% from 33% in 2018. 

Provide your CNA students with the tools they need to succeed by offering support. Encourage meaningful conversations that normalize discussions about mental health. Promote wellness and discuss methods to improve well-being and reduce burnout. A few other ways to reduce or prevent burnout can include the following:  

  • Increase self-efficacy

    • Allow students to practice in the lab or with CNA simulations until they are comfortable and not stressed about completing the skill.

    • Encourage students to find a study buddy in the class to gain peer support.

    • Offer clinical debriefing.

    • Encourage students to ask for help if they’re feeling overwhelmed.

    • Provide opportunities for students to ask for clarification about course content and CNA skills.

  • Discuss stress management techniques

    • To help students cope with daily stressors, offer resources for mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. 

    • Encourage students to engage in regular physical activities such as yoga or walking. 

    • Emphasize the importance of working on positive coping strategies.

  • Encourage practicing self-care 

    • Promote the importance of striving for a healthy work-life balance and time for hobbies.

    • Create a good sleeping routine.  

    • Remind students to use days off to rest and recharge or connect with family and friends.

  • Provide emotional and professional support

  • Establish peer support groups for emotional backing. 

  • Check in regularly and encourage open communication to foster a supportive environment. This open dialogue can help your students feel connected, understood, and supported, which is crucial in managing and preventing burnout. 

Take steps to extinguish burnout

There’s no easy solution for burnout, but the first step is recognizing the symptoms and understanding the causes. Providing your CNA students with the tools to prevent and manage burnout may help ensure their well-being and ability to provide quality client care while caring for themselves. 

The Role of Initiatives like Caring4Cal

Programs like Caring4Cal support CNA training by promoting innovative teaching methods and providing valuable resources. These initiatives help reduce stress and burnout, ensuring students are well-prepared to manage the demands of their training and future careers.

Caring4Cal is a program by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to offer licensed or certified in-home or community care providers — and those interested in becoming an in-home care provider.

Do you teach your CNA students about recognizing and preventing burnout? Share your strategies and insights with us!

Guest User
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