Nurse burnout causes feelings of emotional detachment and cynicism, along with fatigue, anxiety and poor performance at work. Burnout in nursing is caused by chronic, poorly managed stress, which can be exacerbated by staffing shortages. Organizational support, mental health counseling, self-care and professional boundaries can help address burnout.
Nurse burnout is a collection of symptoms characterized by relentless emotional, mental and physical exhaustion that can develop from chronic work-related stress. Even highly resilient nurses can experience burnout, but a proactive approach to your socioemotional well-being can help lower your risk.
Burnout in nursing isn’t inevitable, and if you are considering a career change to nursing, the possibility of burnout should not deter you from pursuing the profession. It is important, however, to understand the syndrome and seek support when you need it.
At Marquette University, we provide extensive student support and focus on developing resiliency and self-care skills that resonate for the duration of a nursing career. Marquette University’s Second Degree Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers a pathway for switching careers to nursing with a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Throughout our program, offered in five- or eight-semester modalities, you will enjoy the support of your close-knit nursing cohort and plenty of driven nurse educators.
Before pursuing a nursing career, take a closer look at burnout in nursing, including the early signs and symptoms to watch out for. Explore some of the common causes and risk factors and discover practical strategies for prevention.
What Nurse Burnout Is and Why It Happens
Burnout among nurses is a state of physical and mental exhaustion that is a common phenomenon. A study from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) found that from 2022 to 2025, over 138,000 nurses left the profession, and approximately 41.5% of respondents cited stress and burnout as the root cause behind their decision.
Other nurses who left the profession cited burnout risk factors such as staffing shortages and heavy workloads. Ultimately, the root cause of burnout among nurses is chronic, poorly managed workplace stress.
Early Signs and Symptoms Nurses Should Not Ignore
Because any nurse can develop burnout, it’s important to recognize the early signs and symptoms.
Early warning signs can include:
- Anxiety: Nurses under significant stress may develop anxiety related not only to work and patient care but also to their personal lives.
- Constant fatigue: Feeling tired is normal after working a shift, since hours can be long and the role is physically and emotionally demanding. If you regularly feel exhausted and struggle to stay awake, however, you may be at risk.
- Feelings of dread: Dreading every shift before you arrive at work can be a sign.
- Frequent illness: The mind and body are closely linked. Chronic stress can weaken the immune response, making you more likely to catch illnesses like colds. You may also notice other physical symptoms, such as heart palpitations or gastrointestinal issues.
- Insensitivity: Burnout can also cause you to feel distant from or less responsive to the needs and problems of others.
If left unaddressed, chronic stress that leads to nurse burnout can manifest in the following ways:
- Cynical attitude
- Emotional detachment at work and at home
- Increased absenteeism
- Mood swings and irritability
- Poor concentration
- Poor performance at work, such as documentation errors or mistakes in patient care
Burnout can happen even before you’re a professional nurse. Get some actionable tips for coping with nursing school stress.
Common Causes and Risk Factors of Burnout in Nursing
The root cause of burnout among nurses is chronic, poorly managed stress, which can stem from many sources. Some of the risk factors of burnout in nursing include:
- Emotional strain, such as from losing a patient or dealing with a difficult patient
- Heavy workload
- Inadequate support from colleagues or the health care organization
- Limited professional autonomy due to factors such as barriers created by bureaucracy or an overbearing workplace culture
- Long shifts
- Poor work-life balance
- Staffing shortages
Practical Strategies Nurses Can Use to Prevent Burnout
Preventing burnout in nurses is preferable to treating it after it develops. Because every nurse can be susceptible, taking a proactive approach to prevention can benefit anyone in the profession.
Caring for Your Physical Health
Because the mind and body are closely connected, caring for your physical health can support your mental wellness. Find a few forms of exercise you enjoy and make time for them regularly. Eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated and limit caffeine and alcohol.
Taking Time for Yourself
In your personal time, make space for hobbies, books and time with loved ones. You might also get outdoors, schedule a massage or plan a vacation. While you are away from work, try to stay present rather than dwelling on patients or other job-related concerns.
Taking Breaks at Work
Nurses often skip breaks to catch up on documentation or other tasks. Doing so can contribute to burnout. Coordinate with other nurses on your unit as needed so you can take breaks when you need them.
How Health Care Organizations Can Help Reduce Burnout
A lack of organizational support is one of the risk factors for nurse burnout. When health care organizations support nurses at work, they can go a long way toward reducing burnout. Actionable steps include:
- Develop clear pathways for career development and advancement
- Encourage open communication between nurses and nurse leaders
- Implement mentorship programs
- Improve staffing ratios
- Offer access to mental health resources, including counseling, stress management programs and other wellness programs
- Provide professional development opportunities, which show that the organization values nurses’ work
- Support nurses’ autonomy, recognizing their role in decision-making
Steps Toward Recovery and Building Long-Term Resilience
If you think you may be developing burnout, take steps toward recovery as soon as possible. Practical steps that can support recovery and long-term emotional resilience include:
- Consider a different nursing specialty. Sometimes a change of scenery can improve your mindset. Switching specialties may help. For example, if you feel burned out by a highly demanding intensive care role, you might explore a setting like a post-anesthesia care unit.
- Set boundaries. Nurses need professional boundaries with patients, but they also need boundaries between work and personal life. Try not to stay preoccupied with work after your shift ends. You might also decline extra shifts or speak with your supervisor about your patient load.
- Take an active role in organizational leadership. Nurses often feel more empowered when they help shape their work environment. Consider joining a committee to help influence the culture of your health care facility.
- Talk to a mental health counselor. Counseling can help you process what you’re experiencing, work through difficult emotions and develop effective coping strategies.
Take some actionable steps toward preparing for a master’s degree in nursing.
Student Support at Marquette
Marquette emphasizes core nursing characteristics that shape both clinical practice and student development. The five characteristics of a Marquette-educated nurse are:
- Caring for the whole person
- Leading courageously
- Championing social justice
- Advocating for the vulnerable
- Thinking critically
We model this outlook and ethos to support our DE-MSN students through instructor and staff support during their studies, knowing they will carry it forward into the patient care they deliver.
By supporting students and helping prevent burnout while earning an MSN, students can apply those lessons to mitigate burnout in their nursing careers.
Experience Nursing Student Support at Marquette University
Marquette University has a long history of delivering excellence in nursing education, supported by a faith- and values-based approach grounded in our Jesuit values. We use innovative teaching strategies integrated with advanced technology and support our students through small class sizes that allow for personalized attention. As a Direct Entry MSN student, you’ll benefit from being a member of a close-knit, supportive nursing cohort.
Request info and connect with a Marquette DE-MSN admissions adviser today to find out if the Direct Entry MSN program is the right fit for you.