Avoiding Burnout
Seventeen months ago when I opened Pace Clinic I was excited to be out on my own. No more working for somebody, I could set my own hours, come and go as I please, and do my own thing. I have thoroughly enjoyed working for myself.
However, even though I no longer have (a) boss, I still work for now thousands of bosses (my clients). Sure, I can leave early when I want, come in late, or take an extended lunch break, but now that I have an established clinic in the community, my patients expect me to be at the clinic. I won't get fired for not being at work, but I may loose business, which leads to a loss of revenue, then maybe a loss of the clinic.
So, "just hire some help" you say, but that is much more difficult than it seems. Unless you have a lot of discretionary income, starting up a clinic is expensive. Many start out solo since to hire another practitioner can cost quite a bit of money.
In addition to this, most nurse practitioners in Utah where I work are not credentialed with insurance companies. They work for and bill under the doctor. So if I want to hire a practitioner, I have to get her credentialed, which takes several months to finally be on all the insurance panels.
Now what? I just do what many other NP's do, I work too much. I believe that anyone that works over 40 hours per week is overdoing it.
When I started the clinic I worked 64 hours a week just to keep things going. I am now down to about 50 hours per week and still think it is too much. Since I started, I have hit a couple of "burn-out" stages that I have had to make it through and have learned a couple of coping mechanisms. Here are some that helped.
- First of all remember, anyone can do about anything for a little while. At first, it may simply take a lot of hours to get a clinic up and going, but remember, being overworked is probably necessary, and should be temporary. Focus on the long term benefits.
- Exercise daily. That has been a good outlet for me and helps open my mind for the day. It also helps burn off pent-up frustration from the business, patients, etc.
- Eat right. You need all the energy you can to start up a business. It is not easy.
- Have fun. Turn on a radio in your office and dance for a minute after a stressful patient or watch a funny Youtube video then get back to work.
- Have a lot of friends. I love spending time with friends, so I treat my patients like friends - well, sort of. We don't go hang out, but when they come in to the clinic, we chat, talk about exciting events since the last visit, etc. Due to time pressures, we don't do it for long, but the patient enjoys the feeling that I care about them, and I like the outlet to take my mind off work if only for two or three minutes.
- Remember you spouse and kids. You probably can't take off work for every little thing, but if your child has a school play or a field trip, then go. If your spouse has a special appointment, take off and watch the kids so he or she can go. If you feel you are fulfilling your responsibilities in the home, you will feel better at work.
- Finally, remember, you can't do it all. Ask for help, take one day at a time, remember your own limitations, and don't sell yourself short to your new practice.
Aaron Hartle, FNP
Owner of Pace Clinic (Springville, Utah) and Nucea Health & Fitness (Lindon, Utah)