- Host: Dr. Allen Lycka
- Guest: Diana Page, founder of Self-Care Catalyst
- Profession: Nurse Practitioner
- Discussion: Inside healthcare, personal journey, burnout, and recovery
Diana Page's Background
- Initial Career Path: Started as a bio major aiming for lab work
- Career Shift: Transitioned to nursing to engage more with patients
- Nursing Journey: Became a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in 2009
- NP Role: Functions similar to a doctor, prescribing medication and working autonomously
Experiencing Burnout
- Early Signs: Began experiencing burnout in nursing school due to pressure and high standards
- First NP Job: Significant burnout due to lack of boundaries and toxic work environment
- Burnout Symptoms: Resentment, apathy, irritability, physical symptoms (GI upset, headaches)
Burnout in Healthcare
- General Issue: Burnout is common in many professions, not just nursing
- Healthcare Specifics: High emotional toll from patient care, moral injury, and lack of adequate support
- COVID-19 Impact: Exacerbated burnout, but the issue existed long before the pandemic
Addressing Burnout
- Emotional and Physical Impact: Chronic stress, pre-shift anxiety, and a lack of purpose
- Symptoms and Red Flags: Resentment, apathy, emotional and physical exhaustion, isolation, escape fantasies
Strategies for Coping and Recovery
- Setting Boundaries: Essential to prevent and manage burnout
- Evening Rituals: Importance of disconnecting from work, such as turning off cell phones
- Physical Activity: Engaging in regular exercise to alleviate stress
- Self-Care Practices: Tailoring self-care to individual needs, whether through reading, exercise, or other activities
Supporting Healthcare Workers
- Healthcare System Issues: Staffing, compensation, insurance hurdles, and respect for nurses
- Role of Employers: Need for tangible support beyond superficial gestures like pizza lunches
- Advocacy and Change: Emphasizing the need for systemic changes to support healthcare workers better
BIO:
Diana Page is the Founder of Selfcare Catalyst, A Nurse/Nurse Practitioner Burnout Coach, burnout recovery expert, writer, and speaker. Having navigated and overcome burnout, an experience that nearly led her to exit the healthcare profession, Diana now passionately dedicates herself to empowering fellow healthcare professionals to cultivate a fulfilling life beyond their roles, equipping them with essential tools for recovering from burnout. Diana’s signature coaching program, 'The Resilient Nurse Roadmap,' along with virtual workshops and content for leading nursing platforms like nurse.org, have guided thousands of nurses and NPs from burnout to balance without adding to their to-do list or leaving the profession. Diana passionately advocates that we are all human beings not human doings and we deserve care too.
Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catalystforselfcare/
Free Burnout Recovery Resources: https://www.selfcarecatalyst.com/resources
Mentorship: https://www.selfcarecatalyst.com/mentorship
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nurseburnoutexpert/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/828483838464304/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catalystforselfcare