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How can you balance patient advocacy and self-care to prevent burnout?

As a nurse, you may often face situations where you have to advocate for your patients' best interests, even if they conflict with the policies, protocols, or preferences of your employer, colleagues, or other stakeholders. This can be a rewarding and ethical aspect of your profession, but it can also take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. How can you balance patient advocacy and self-care to prevent burnout? Here are some tips to help you navigate this challenging role.

1 Define your boundaries

Patient advocacy is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It can mean different things to different nurses, depending on their values, beliefs, specialties, and settings. Therefore, it is important to define your own boundaries and expectations of what patient advocacy entails for you. For example, you may decide to focus on providing accurate and timely information, supporting informed consent, facilitating communication, or resolving conflicts. You may also choose to limit your involvement in certain situations that are beyond your scope of practice, expertise, or comfort level. By clarifying your boundaries, you can avoid overextending yourself and compromising your integrity.

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David Beaumont

Occupational Physician and Author at Positive Medicine Ltd
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I completely agree that this is a boundary issue. As healthcare professionals we are naturally caring people (part of the calling). But the need to advocate for patients comes from the fact that we’re part of a system that’s failing. It’s not your fault! Speak up, be constructive in your approach and suggestions. Make them vehemently if you need to - call out injustice and inequity. But then let go. Don’t take it home with you. It’s not your responsibility - you can’t be responsible for what happens. No attachment to outcome. Hope that helps.

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2 Seek support and guidance

Patient advocacy can be isolating and stressful, especially if you encounter resistance, hostility, or retaliation from others. That is why you need to seek support and guidance from people who understand and appreciate your role. This can include your peers, mentors, supervisors, professional associations, or legal advisors. You can also benefit from joining or forming a patient advocacy committee, network, or group within your organization or community. By sharing your experiences, challenges, and strategies with others, you can gain insight, feedback, and validation.

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3 Practice self-care and wellness

Patient advocacy can be emotionally draining and exhausting, especially if you witness or experience injustice, suffering, or trauma. That is why you need to practice self-care and wellness on a regular basis. This can include taking breaks, getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, meditating, journaling, or engaging in hobbies. You can also seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious. By taking care of yourself, you can replenish your energy, resilience, and compassion.

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Maryam Abid

Medical Oncologist|King Edward Medical University. BSc, MBBS, MD (Medical Oncology),MRCP SCE Medical Oncology| ESMO Mentee in Palliative care(2022-2023)| ESMO Fellow in Palliative Care(2024)
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You can not pour from an empty glass, so charging yourself in order to be able to care for your patients is necessary... if some healthcare professional feels like taking time off he should not be frowned upon ( which happens and people say things like "we werent expecting you to not like working or werent expecting you to take off for this truvual reason). I have akways advocated for breaks in career even if tge reason is I am tired , this is an important reason for taking off and everyone should see it as one ratger than shaming anyone to be lazy...

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4 Recognize your achievements and impact

Patient advocacy can be rewarding and fulfilling, especially if you see positive outcomes, changes, or improvements for your patients, yourself, or your profession. That is why you need to recognize your achievements and impact on a regular basis. This can include celebrating your successes, acknowledging your contributions, receiving feedback, or documenting your stories. You can also seek recognition or appreciation from others, such as your patients, colleagues, managers, or organizations. By recognizing your achievements and impact, you can boost your confidence, motivation, and satisfaction.

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5 Learn and grow from your challenges

Patient advocacy can be challenging and frustrating, especially if you face barriers, obstacles, or failures. That is why you need to learn and grow from your challenges on a regular basis. This can include reflecting on your actions, decisions, and outcomes, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, seeking feedback or mentoring, or pursuing education or training. You can also seek opportunities or initiatives to improve or change the policies, systems, or cultures that affect your patient advocacy. By learning and growing from your challenges, you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and effectiveness.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you balance patient advocacy and self-care to prevent burnout?

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1 Define your boundaries

2 Seek support and guidance

3 Practice self-care and wellness

4 Recognize your achievements and impact

5 Learn and grow from your challenges

6 Here’s what else to consider

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