Burnout in healthcare

In an industry already under immense strain, healthcare workers cannot afford to ignore burnout.

The demands of caring for others—often under pressure, with limited resources, and little time to recover—have left many clinical professionals emotionally and physically exhausted.

More than half of healthcare providers report experiencing symptoms of burnout. Among nurses, nearly one in two worry at least weekly about making a medical error due to fatigue and overwhelm. Even more concerning, over half of the nursing workforce has considered leaving the profession altogether. These trends signal not individual weakness, but a systemic challenge facing healthcare today.

Burnout not only affects job satisfaction, but it is also closely linked to mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. Healthcare workers are also at increased risk for emotional distress due to repeated exposure to trauma, long and unpredictable hours, hazardous working conditions, and the emotional toll of caring for patients during moments of suffering and loss.

In this guide, we explore what burnout in healthcare is, why healthcare workers are at higher risk, and how clinicians can begin to recover and find support when burnout occurs.

What is burnout in healthcare?

Burnout in healthcare is a job-related stress syndrome that develops over time when ongoing demands consistently exceed available support and recovery.

It is commonly characterized by:

• Emotional exhaustion
• A sense of detachment from work or patients
• Feeling less effective, fulfilled, or accomplished in one’s role

Together, these experiences can leave healthcare workers feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically depleted, making it harder to cope with daily responsibilities.

Unlike everyday stress, which is often temporary and improves with rest or time off, burnout builds gradually. It may show up as persistent fatigue, frustration, or a loss of meaning in work that once felt purposeful. Importantly, burnout is not a personal failure. With awareness, support, and changes at the individual and organizational level, burnout is often reversible.

Why healthcare workers are at higher risk

Healthcare workers face unique pressures that increase vulnerability to burnout and mental health challenges. While everyone responds to stress differently, several factors consistently contribute to burnout in the profession.

Systemic and organizational contributors

Burnout often develops when workers are required to meet high demands with insufficient resources, staffing, or recovery time. Over time, this imbalance can lead to disengagement, emotional exhaustion, and increased turnover. Workers experiencing burnout are also more likely to report anxiety and depression and to consider leaving their role—or the profession entirely.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, workplace systems play a significant role in healthcare burnout. Common contributors include:

• Excessive workloads and productivity demands
• Administrative burden and documentation requirements
• Limited control over scheduling
• Inadequate organizational support

Workplace culture can further compound the problem. In one industry survey, 40% of women nurses reported feeling uncomfortable discussing burnout or mental health concerns with their supervisor, compared to 26% of male nurses, highlighting ongoing barriers to open dialogue and support.

Individual and environmental stressors

Beyond organizational demands, burnout is driven by the day-to-day realities of healthcare work and by personal stressors. Understanding these individual and environmental stressors helps explain why burnout is so common in healthcare and why recovery requires more than simply “pushing through.”

• Little time to rest and recover. Healthcare schedules are often long and unpredictable. Many workers are on call, asked to work unexpected doubles, or have little time between shifts to decompress. Being constantly alert can make it difficult to unwind and contribute to ongoing mental and physical fatigue.
• Exposure to trauma. Many healthcare workers are regularly exposed to trauma. Witnessing serious injury, death, or crisis situations can significantly impact mental health. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are not uncommon. Symptoms may include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, heightened emotional responses, or persistent feelings of distress.
• High-stress work environments. Unpredictability and constant urgency make it challenging to maintain adequate rest and emotional balance. Over time, this can impair decision-making, concentration, and overall job performance, further contributing to burnout.

Coping with burnout as a healthcare worker

Burnout can make it feel like everything is happening to you, with little room to breathe. While systemic change is essential, healthcare workers can still regain some sense of control by intentionally shifting how they respond to ongoing stress. Small, consistent actions can help create moments of relief and restore a sense of balance.

• Ask for help and build support. Connection is one of the strongest protective factors against burnout. Whether it’s a trusted friend, family member, or coworker, having a safe space to talk openly can reduce isolation and emotional strain. Feeling understood and supported helps remind you that you’re not alone in what you’re experiencing. For many, connecting with a mental health professional offers additional tools and support, including individual or group therapy and other behavioral health services such as psychiatry.
• Protect sleep and physical recovery. Rest is a necessity. While long shifts and unpredictable schedules can make sleep challenging, prioritizing rest whenever possible helps restore physical and emotional resilience. Even small improvements in sleep quality can have a meaningful impact on mood, concentration, and overall well-being.
• Reconnect with purpose. Burnout often strips work and life of meaning. Reconnecting with your “why,” whether that’s the reason you entered healthcare or the values that guide you, can help counter that sense of emptiness. Purpose doesn’t have to come solely from work. Spending time on activities, relationships, or hobbies you love outside of your job can also help buffer against stress and restore a sense of fulfillment.

Red flags: When burnout requires professional support

Burnout can become a persistent and overwhelming state that affects your ability to function effectively at work and in daily life.

It may be time to seek professional support if you notice:

• Persistent feelings of depression, numbness, or hopelessness
• Increased reliance on substances to cope
• Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
• Difficulty functioning at work, at home, or in relationships

Early support can make a meaningful difference in recovery and help prevent burnout from escalating into more serious mental health concerns.

Finding support with people who understand

At Rosecrance Therapies, we understand the unique pressures healthcare professionals face. Wanting to reconnect with a profession you once loved—or to thoughtfully explore what comes next—is an admirable and deeply personal journey.

Our clinicians provide nonjudgmental support to help individuals navigate burnout, whether that means rediscovering purpose in their work or recognizing that a different path may be healthier. Through Rosecrance Resilience , a specialized treatment offering for those in high-stress, high-risk professions like healthcare, our team understands how the demands of the job can affect every part of life—both inside and outside the workplace.

You don’t have to carry this alone. Support is available, and healing is possible.