Nursing Isn’t Broken — It’s Just Tired

Burnout — the word not spoken, but seen, heard, and felt by everyone in healthcare. It’s become so common that it’s either overused or never said at all. I’ve seen it in veteran nurses, new graduates, and even within myself.

Burnout isn’t just exhaustion; it’s emotional detachment — the slow fading of pride in our work. For me, it was 3 a.m. in the ER, when another “cough and sneeze” patient signed in, and I caught myself asking why I was even here. That’s when you know something’s off — when the care becomes mechanical and the meaning fades.

People blame shortage and retention, but I think the real problem is how we use our resources and support each other. I’ve seen nurses scrolling phones while techs sprint down halls, and leadership handing out popcorn instead of purpose. Money and bonuses may help, but they don’t heal the heart of the work.

What keeps a team together isn’t pay or stickers — it’s support and connection. It’s the laughter between coworkers, the look that says “I’ve got you,” and leaders who defend their team because they know what they give every shift.

I don’t think nursing is broken — I think it’s tired. It needs recovery through relationships, laughter, and leadership that sees people before policies.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” — Isaiah 40:29

Maybe the cure for burnout starts there — with being seen, heard, and valued. With bringing fun, purpose, and pride back into the picture.