Contributor – Obidigwe Adaora Victoria, RN

Burnout leads to turnover, says Claire Zangerle, CEO of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. And she should know. As a chief nurse executive, she’s been working at Ground Zero. While chatting with Chief Healthcare Executive, Zangerle didn’t sugarcoat the issue. She calls it a problem because that’s exactly what it is. She believes that it’s a system that hasn’t come together to fix the problem.

Jenna Colelli worked as a late shift charge nurse in a cardiovascular ICU. However, the role became too overwhelming for her. A hostile work environment and ethical dilemmas led to burnout. As her anxiety grew, she struggled to meet expectations. The pressure was constant. She started second-guessing herself and slowly lost confidence in her ability to give safe, quality care. It affected her eating, sleeping, and overall well-being. “I had to get out of there. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be a nurse anymore.” Thankfully, Colelli implemented interventions. Today, she mentors and empowers nurses to care for themselves. The first step is to acknowledge burnout for what it really is.

Burnout Is Not Normal

From a nursing knowledge perspective, burnout is not only an operational or workforce issue but also a disciplinary concern. The Theory of Integrative Nurse Coaching offers a useful lens, emphasizing whole-person care, reflective practice, and the integration of self-awareness into professional roles. When applied to nurse leaders, this theory highlights how sustained stress without intentional self-integration can disrupt both leadership effectiveness and personal well-being.

Burnout has become normalized in culture and seen as a badge of honor, says licensed clinical psychologist Shannon Sauer-Zavala. The “busyness-as-status” mindset has always been the gold standard. Yet, from a young age, we learn that being “good” means being helpful. Maybe you were the reliable student, the friend who always remembered birthdays, or the person who somehow held everything together. You probably got praised for it, too. 

From the perspective of the Theory of Integrative Nurse Coaching, this pattern reflects a disconnect between external expectations and internal well-being. The theory emphasizes that sustainable nursing practice requires alignment between personal values, self-care, and professional responsibilities, something that burnout directly undermines.

Burnout Crisis and Nurse Leaders

Numbers don’t lie, and according to the latest data from Laudio, nurse managers are barely holding on. The report revealed a few shocking and some expected insights. The findings show that nurse managers with less than four years’ experience leave at a rate higher than the average of 7.5%. 

Another revelation is that managers are more likely to vacate their role within the first few years. Ironically, this is when they require the greatest support and encouragement. Nurse manager turnover can climb to around 12% by their third year in leadership. That pattern looks a lot like what we see with newly hired RNs. They are also more likely to leave during their first few years on the job.

Going Back to Basics

Executive nurse leaders are a special breed. Many are former RNs with years of experience, and continuing education courses are a normal part of their careers. It entails nurse executive continuing education courses such as the online DNP in Executive Nurse Leadership (DNP-ENL) program. Not only is the coursework 100% online, but students also have the option to complete their doctoral project locally.

Baylor University explains that nursing students are armed with competencies in influential leadership. And that is the most important skill every nurse leader requires. Strong leadership attributes can help transform healthcare systems. And guess what? They minimize the threat of burnout.

How Nurse Leaders Can Combat Burnout

Four-Day Work Weeks. Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) piloted a four-day work week among nursing and respiratory leadership teams to address burnout. The results were instantaneous. Burnout decreased from 61 to 4%. Job satisfaction jumped to 96%, and overall joy at work saw an 86% increase.  Melanie Patterson, chief nursing officer at CHOC, tells the Children’s Hospital Association that leaders started embracing opting out of nonessential activities and prioritizing self-care and meaningful engagement.

Clinical Decision Support Systems

Nurses in South Korea are addressing critical care gaps with clinical decision support systems (CDSS). For example, having real-time, evidence-based information at your fingertips helps nurses make faster, safer decisions. It becomes easier to assess patients’ needs and work smoothly with the rest of the care team.

Coaching

Coaching for nurse leaders is less about giving orders and more about helping people grow. Consider it a structured, theory-informed practice that promotes self-reflection, resilience, and whole-person development. This approach encourages a shift away from strict, top-down management toward a more supportive, relationship-driven model of leadership. By fostering self-awareness and intentional practice, nurse leaders can better navigate stress, build stronger teams, and reduce the risk of burnout across their units. You are well-equipped to help your team and navigate the everyday complexities of healthcare with more confidence.

We’re Only Human

We forget that we, too, can hurt, bleed, and crash. Yes, your job is to lead, but it entails taking care of yourself. Take up a hobby, practice self-care, or do things outside your professional role when you can disconnect from leading and managing others.

Remember, burnout is not a sign of success or honor. From a nursing knowledge perspective, it signals a misalignment between professional demands and holistic well-being. The Theory of Integrative Nurse Coaching reminds us that sustainable leadership requires intentional self-integration, reflection, and care for the caregiver. Addressing burnout, therefore, is not only a personal responsibility but also a disciplinary priority for the future of nursing leadership.

References

4-Day Workweeks Ease Burnout for Nursing and Respiratory Staff. (n.d.). Children’s Hospital Association. Retrieved April 7, 2026, from https://www.childrenshospitals.org/news/childrens-hospitals-today/2025/08/4-day-workweeks-ease-burnout-for-nursing-and-respiratory-staff

Alligood, M., & Fawcett, J. (2025, December 10). Follow the Leader: Martha E. Rogers’ Thoughts of Optimism. Nursology. https://nursology.net/2025/12/10/follow-the-leader-martha-e-rogers-thoughts-of-optimism/

Beyond burnout: How nursing teams across South Korea are driving change. (2025, September 15). Wolters Kluwer. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/beyond-burnout-how-nursing-teams-across-south-korea-are-driving-change

Colelli, J. (2023, July 13). The Face of Burnout in Nursing: My Personal Story and Lessons Learned. Off the Charts; American Journal of Nursing. https://ajnoffthecharts.com/the-face-of-burnout-in-nursing-my-personal-story-and-lessons-learned/

Sauer-Zavala, S. (2025, September 13). Burnout Is Not a Badge of Success. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/self-made/202509/burnout-is-not-a-badge-of-success

Southwick, R. (2025, December 2). These warning signs are tied to nurses leaving hospitals. Chief Healthcare Executive. https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/these-warning-signs-are-tied-to-nurses-leaving-hospitals

Darling, T. (2025, January 2). Nurse manager turnover is highest in first 4 years as a leader. https://laudio.com/insights/nurse-manager-turnover-is-highest-in-first-4-years-as-a-leader

Joseph, J. (2026, January 9). Truth in Action and Presence in Practice: Integrating Gandhi’s Philosophy and the Careful Nursing Model in Contemporary Nursing. Nursology. https://nursology.net/2026/01/09/truth-in-action-and-presence-in-practice-integrating-gandhis-philosophy-and-the-careful-nursing-model-in-contemporary-nursing/

Richardson C, Wicking K, Biedermann N, Langtree T. Coaching in nursing: An integrative literature review. Nurs Open. 2023 Oct;10(10):6635-6649. doi: 10.1002/nop2.1925. Epub 2023 Jun 26. PMID: 37365717; PMCID: PMC10495732.

Wolters Kluwer: Han Dong Su (2025). Beyond burnout: How nursing teams across South Korea are driving change. September 15, 2025.

About Obidigwe Adaora Victoria

Obidigwe Victoria is a registered cardiothoracic nurse, health educator, and content creator passionate about making health knowledge simple and practical for everyday people. She is committed to helping nurses and healthcare professionals expand beyond the bedside by building visibility, leveraging their expertise, and creating additional income streams. As a Christian speaker and mentor, she inspires growth in purpose, career, and personal development, equipping her audience to thrive both within and beyond healthcare.