Agoraphobia

😶 I am still overcoming agoraphobia.

⚖ During the pandemic, when staying in became the norm, I found solace in the rules. Events were canceled, and I adhered more closely than most.

🎉 It was disheartening to witness others gathering and flouting guidelines while I was writing policies on crucial issues like scarce medical resource allocation.

Even as lockdowns lifted, healthcare maintained restrictions, and the sense of crisis persisted for me. COVID wasn't over. Daily stats (admissions, infections, and deaths) were a constant reminder.

😟 The cumulative effect of ongoing restrictions, moral distress, and burnout birthed a fear of leaving the house - agoraphobia took hold.

Some days, I managed; others, I sought refuge.

As I've said, depression is more than emotional; it's physical. Agoraphobia is no different. The anxiety is palpable. Kristen Riecke, an extrovert's extrovert, became my social support - not a new role in our 25-year marriage.

🤔 Before passing judgment on a colleague's "absence," consider the unseen battles they might be facing.

#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #healthcareburnout #agoraphobia

A Sweet Suprise

I recently bid farewell to my incredible tenure at Parkview Health, and my colleague Lori Whitman orchestrated the sweetest surprise on my last day. 💖

For years, Lori, with a sprinkle of assistance from Jana Vastbinder, Brian Spahr, Jon Swanson, and others, curated a daily dose of inspiration known as the "Daily Dose Express." 💌

This daily ritual has been a beacon of encouragement for our hundreds of coworkers, and it holds a special place in my heart.

On October 26, my farewell day, Lori unearthed a forgotten quote of mine. It read:

"Who are you? When you stop answering that question with your job title, you are on the path to a happier life. You are not, primarily, a job code. You are a human; loved, infinite, creative, and unique. You are a fingerprint. The only 'you' that the world will ever know. Your job is just one of the current expressions of your ultimate self."

Little did I remember this gem, but Lori brought it back into my world at the perfect moment. 🌟 It resonated deeply with me as I closed this chapter of my career after over ten incredible years.

And yes, a tear or two may have escaped. 😢 Grateful for the memories, the lessons, and the amazing colleagues who made this journey unforgettable. Here's to new beginnings and cherishing the essence of our true selves! 🚀💕 #LifeBeyondJobTitles #GratitudeInGoodbye

Carle Health Nurse Wellbeing Event

Last week, I presented to a few hundred nurses Carle Health, thanks to the generosity of Diane Gottheil and the JOSH GOTTHEIL MEMORIAL FUND FOR LYMPHOMA RESEARCH.

Danielle Lawler, MSN, RN, CMSRN, and her team put together a great event for nurses to invest in their well-being, recovery, and resiliency.

Plus, the group was awesome. I followed a presentation by Cara Crumrine, who shared her burnout and self-care journey (awesome!).

Kudos to the team at Carle Health for investing in your most valuable resource--#Nurses!

#NurseAppreciation #Healthcareburnout #burnoutawareness #WellBeingMatters 💙👩‍⚕️🌟

School RN Trip

🔥 Burnout Alert! Which Industries Are Most Affected? 🔥

Ever wondered which industry has the highest burnout rate? It's the education sector. And right behind, in second place, is healthcare.

💬 Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with SCHOOL NURSES in Noblesville. The resonance was palpable. It's not cliche to say that we laughed and cried.

👩‍🏫 "Thank you for helping me name what's happening."

🌟 "Now I realize that burnout isn't my fault."

💙 "Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story."

It's time to address burnout head-on and support those on the front lines. Let's start the conversation! 💪🌟

Oh, and I took my 15 y/o with me. A little Top Golf never hurt anyone.

#BurnoutAwareness #Education #Healthcare #WellbeingInWork #topgolf #bucketlist

New Adventure

🗣 In fifth grade, my class had to memorize and deliver Patrick Henry's speech "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" 💪

My friends hated the assignment—scared to death of public speaking 😨, but I was thrilled. Not only did I enthusiastically deliver the speech, I mimed Henry's action (stabbing himself for effect) 🗡️, and collapsed on my friend Landon's desk 😅.

Since that day, I knew God made me (in part) for public speaking 🎙️.

All of my jobs incorporated speaking and teaching. But now, I am all in.

After ten years in healthcare and twenty-five years in ministry, I am now a full-time speaker, writer, and consultant.

🌟 What do I do?

I make difficult conversations easier for people in helping professions.

In healthcare, my team responded to more than 15,000 deaths, and I've published three non-fiction books about death, dying, and grief. I speak on this topic because dying and grieving people deserve to be treated right. #griefawareness 🕊️

During my tenure, I navigated 500 ethics consults. I taught nurses medical ethics for years, and now I am a professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, teaching ethical decision-making. I speak on this topic because providers deserve support when they face their most difficult cases. #medicalethics 👩‍⚕️

In the fall of 2022, I burned out at work. My body, mind, and spirit gave out. I was depressed and anxious and under the care of multiple doctors. Something had to change. I speak on this topic to help organizations curb burnout and individuals recover from their own experiences. #healthcareburnout 🔥

I am excited (and a little scared) about this new adventure. 🚀

I quit!

📣 Announcement!

📓 This week, I close a chapter. 📅 My last day at Parkview Health is this Thursday, October 26.

🎭 After more than ten years, I feel many mixed emotions.

🙏 However, my primary feeling is one of deep gratitude.

I have worked with some amazing people and had some great leaders (Ben Miles, Ann Lantz, and Curtis Smith to name a few).

🙏 I can't begin to list every opportunity I had while at Parkview, serving as the Director of Dignity and the Ethics Chairperson. All I can do is reflect. And be thankful.

When coworkers learned about my departure, many sent kind notes. Sifting through them last night, I discovered themes to their compliments. They were primarily thankful for my 1) Support, 2) Compassion, and 3) Calm approach.

Here's the kicker.

👥 Anyone can display these characteristics. I didn't need special talents or training to be supportive, kind, or calm.

📢 What's next? I will be speaking and writing more than ever.

#Burnoutawareness, #Medicalethics, and #Griefsupport are the topics I am passionate about, and I can't wait to raise awareness about each of these topics.

Thank you, Parkview.

"And in case I don't see you; good afternoon, good evening, and good night." -Truman Burbank 😆

The humbling observation made by an attendee

🤔 "As a pastor, did your own hubris make it more difficult to identify your burnout symptoms?"

🙌 At a recent keynote in Memphis, an attendee got straight to the point with this question.

I stood up straight and looked past her for a moment.

😔 "Did my excessive self-confidence hinder self-awareness?" I rephrased her question.

"Perhaps," I said. "But not in the common sense. I've never been a pray-it-away person. Or a name-it-and-claim-it adherent to the #prosperitygospel. However, I subtly believed I was superior to people who have mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and burnout. So, to answer your question with one word...

👀 YES

I am not alone.

Doctors and nurses can also play hashtag#healthcarehero and forget their own vulnerability.

🆔 These roles enmesh with professionals' sense of identity.

#Physicians are smart.

#Nurses are strong.

#Clergy are caring people.

But what if my smarts don't solve all the problems? Or my strength gives way to exhaustion. Or others take advantage of my caring nature?

😥 What if the helpers get depressed? Anxious? Burned out?

As our friends in AA know, the first step is admitting you have a problem. Recognizing the symptoms of burnout is a shockingly difficult task. Nearly impossible until we can no longer ignore it.

💓 I didn't recognize my burnout until I was cardioverted (shocked) in the Emergency Room at Parkview Health to reset my heart.

Then, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

Online tests for burnout are varied and sometimes costly. However, online tests for depression and anxiety are easier to find. I recommend using the tools found on Mental Health America's site.

This week, I spoke twice for the Renal Healthcare Association at Peabody Hotels and Resorts in Memphis, TN.

The audience engaged wonderfully and was kind for two hours. And far and away, the reviews said that my vulnerability, and sharing my story, meant the most to them. 🙌❤️

Therefore, I will practice being vulnerable and honest about how #healthcareburnout has affected me. Hopefully, others will feel seen and encouraged, knowing they are not alone.

❓ Have you ever experienced burnout? How did you recognize it? Share your thoughts and experiences below. Let's start a conversation on #SelfCare and #MentalHealthAwareness.

Renal Healthcare Association Annual Conference—Memphis, TN

🌟 Exploring Ethical Dilemmas & Burnout in Renal Healthcare 🌟

Renal healthcare professionals navigate complex ethical dilemmas while often battling workplace burnout.

🏥 From nephrologists to nurses, they administer not only dialysis and meds, but compassion and discernment.

But, let's address the challenges:

💔 Ethical Dilemmas: Who is a candidate for care? Who decides when the burdens outweigh the benefits? These are heart-wrenching decisions.

🔥 Workplace Burnout: The relentless demands and emotionally taxing situations can lead to emotional exhaustion.

🌱 Solutions: Together, we can make a difference.

Join me at the Renal Healthcare Association annual conference in Memphis at the Peabody Hotel this week, where I'll discuss these critical topics.

https://lnkd.in/gCv75bXG

🤝 Let's advocate, educate, and recognize the invaluable work of renal healthcare teams. Together, we'll make a positive impact!

#RenalHealthcare #EthicalDilemmas #WorkplaceBurnout #HealthcareHeroes #Nephrology #RHA2023

School nurse conference

🩺👩‍⚕️ School Nurses are unsung heroes! 💪

🌟 It's crucial to address a topic that's close to my heart (and affects a staggering number of school nurses - Workplace Burnout. These dedicated professionals are a vital part of our education system, tirelessly caring for our children's health and well-being. 📚👧👦

🔥 Burnout is a real concern, and it's time we shine a light on it. 🕯️

🗓️ Mark your calendars for November 15th when I have the privilege of delivering a Keynote at the INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL NURSES INC conference at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Noblesville Indianapolis Conference Center. 🎙️🌐

Together, we'll delve into the challenges faced by school nurses and explore strategies to help them thrive in their roles.

Let's come together to support and empower these incredible caregivers. 🤗💼

Join me at the conference, and let's make a difference! 🤝 Check out all the details and register here:

Conference Event Page: https://lnkd.in/gRbQGQwN

#SchoolNurses #Burnout #Empowerment #IAmHereForYou #KeynoteSpeaker #INASNConference #HealthcareHeroes 💙💊

Nurse Wellbeing

🎉 I am excited to share that I'm presenting a Keynote for Carle Health's nurse wellbeing conference!

📈 Nurse burnout rates are incredibly high--with most studies showing a greater than 50% rate.

😢 When clinicians are burned out, it affects us all.

😑 The moral distress they experience can leave them feeling numb and hopeless.

😀 But it doesn't have to be that way! There are steps organizations can take to avoid burnout in the workforce. And steps burned-out coworkers can take to recover.

📢 I will share these steps and more with nurses at Carle Health later this year, thanks to the invitation of Danielle Lawler, MSN, RN, CMSRN, and her team.

#burnoutrecovery #nursewellness #keynotespeaker

One year after crashing

Labor Day 2022

I woke up with a strange feeling--like my heart was skipping beats over and over.

For years, I had been under considerable stress.

In 2020, I led our ethics committee as we hastily made preparations for the global pandemic. I led our chaplain team, which responded to 5,563 deaths during the pandemic.

2021 was a year of death and grief. Kristen Riecke's sweet dad died. Our good friend Bre died during childbirth just down the hall from my office at Parkview Health. And several other family members died before July arrived.

In 2022, I experienced my worst leadership struggles to date, and my leader at the time threatened to fire me. I didn't know it yet, but my anxiety was starting to drive the car, and I was along for the ride.

This resulted in new physical and mental health problems. "Vagally-mediated Atrial Fibrillation" Meaning that stress had compromised my nervous system so badly that my heart was out of rhythm. This is actually pretty common.

So, in the ER on Labor Day 2022, I received 255.1 joules of electric shock. Without sedation (my choice).

I was wide awake when the doctor said, "Charging. Clear. Clear." Then, whoosh!

My arms and legs shot up off the bed, my teeth slammed together, my eyes widened beyond capacity, and my belly jumped toward the ceiling. My heart returned to a sinus rhythm.

In the coming months, I experienced 30+ days on a heart monitor, a shaved chest (yuck), therapy, an official depression and anxiety diagnosis from my doctor, but most profoundly...

The sense that something had to change. Everything had to change.

In the 12 months since that day, here are SOME of the many steps I have taken to recover and overcome what I now know as MORAL DISTRESS and BURNOUT:

1. Secured intermittent FMLA

2. Daily nervous system work (thank you Sukie Baxter)

3. Decreased focus and intensity at work

4. Meditation

5. Worked on my bucket list (thank you, Ben Nemtin)

6. Adjusted my expectations of myself

7. Journaled 2-3x per week

8. Counseling (thank you, Cheryl Confer)

9. Committed to new boundaries (no more checking work email at all hours)

10. Regular walks

11. Self-discovery (thank you, Enneagram)

12. Opened up with trusted friends (thank you, William Curry, Matt Burke, Jana Vastbinder, Jon Swanson, and Kristen Riecke)

13. And I (finally) started some medication for my mental health

They say that recovery from burnout takes 1-3 years. Today, I have been in recovery for one year. I am not done.

hashtag#mentalhealthawareness hashtag#burnoutrecovery hashtag#burnout

10 years in one place

In June 2023, I celebrated 10 years at Parkview Health.

These are the top seven lessons I've learned in my first ten years in healthcare. ⬇️

🌎1. The world is a much more complicated place than I originally thought.

🛐2. Changing your beliefs in light of new experiences is a sign of maturity, not weakness.

💁🏻‍♂️3. Empowering others is more fun than your own success.

🏅4. Work isn't a family. It's a team. That's better and more healthy.

💓5. Believing the best in people will enable some coworkers to soar, and others to fall.

🧑🏻‍🏭6. If you really believe in something, don't take 'no' for an answer. Find another way.

👩🏼‍💼7. Executives put their pants on one leg at a time. Don't be intimidated by big titles. Instead, help them. They have a tough job.

Thank you, Ann Lantz and Jeannine Nix for hiring me, Ben Miles, Curtis Smith, Dena Jacquay, and Sarah GiaQuinta, MD for leading me, and Kristen Riecke and Daniel Riecke for supporting me.

There are too many coworkers to tag, but special shoutout to Jon Swanson for seldom agreeing with me, but always helping me to become better.

#healthcare #tenyears #leadershipskills #healthcareleadership

One way to stop burnout

7 Organizational Steps to avoid burnout

❓As a leader, can you help coworkers avoid burnout?

7️⃣ These seven steps will help you decrease the level of burnout your team experiences.

1️⃣ Number 1: Provide a way opt-out

😞If a coworker violates their own conscience at work, they experience moral injury. This can lead to burnout symptoms, including emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and feeling like they can't make an impact at work.

🔥Once they are burned out, it's hard to get UN-burned out. So, one way we can avoid or decrease burnout is to clearly communicate to our team: "If you have a moral objection to this course of action, you can opt-out."

⛔Of course, you still have to get the job done. But finding a way to do it without violating anyone's values will avoid disengagement and turnover.

❓Does your leader let you opt-out?

hashtag#moralinjury hashtag#burnout hashtag#burnoutprevention hashtag#wellbeingatwork hashtag#healthcareleadership

Erin Alexander EMSN, MSN-Ed, RN, CNEn

How I am recovering from burnout

❓ Can you overcome burnout?

🤷🏼‍♂️ I've researched the topic of burnout among healthcare workers extensively. But this question is generally unanswered.

📚 There are excellent studies on the prevalence of burnout, depression, suicide, etc.

🏢 Articles abound that detail necessary steps ORGANIZATIONS must take to reduce burnout in their coworkers.

🙍🏼‍♂️But what about the solitary individual, a burned-out person? What can she/he do to recover?

😞Is it hopeless? Un-recoverable?

My desperate search was selfish. I needed to know--can I come back from burnout?

🔎Since I could not find answers in the literature, I had to find my own way.

I had to survive.

So, here are 14 things I have done (or stopped doing) in the last 8 months to claw my way back from burnout.

They are descriptive. These things helped me. They might not help you.

Number 7 is embarrassing:

⚖️1. I adjusted my expectations of myself. The most important one, by far.

🙆🏼‍♂️2. I gave attention to my nervous system (I educated myself, then started new practices). Sukie Baxter was a huge help.

🎯3. I decreased my focus and intensity at work. (What's the opposite of working harder? Working lighter? Working softer?)

🧘🏼‍♂️4. I meditated with the use of Kristen Riecke's Peloton app.

📃5. I made a bucket list and started checking off items. Ben Nemtin changed my life.

💺6. I took time off and made a plan with my doctor.

🚽7. I stopped checking emails on the toilet. (This one is still hard to practice, ngl. Kind of embarrassing and gross.)

🌍8. I adjusted my worldview (again).

📒9. I journaled events, thoughts, and feelings.

🧱10. I drew boundaries and eliminated/limited energy suckers (aka, I said "no" and unfriended some people on social media👋🏼).

🧭11. I performed self-discovery (there were personality-specific reasons why the situations bothered me so much).

🫧12. I found a literal safe space--a physical bubble where I could retreat and be free.

⌚13. I used the mantra "Things can change at any moment."

💞14. I confided in exactly three trusted people (in addition to my doctor and counselor): Kristen Riecke, Jana Vastbinder, and Jon Swanson.

What is on your list? Comment below:

#selfhelp #personaldevelopment #mindfulness #humanresources #healthcare #mentalhealth #depressionawareness

Initial Reviews

❓How many times have I presented on grief or spirituality? About one million.

🤔How many times have I presented on the topic of Overcoming Burnout? Exactly ONCE.

📈That's why, when reviews came in from the OHIO ASSOCIATION OF GERONTOLOGY AND EDUCATION conference this week, I was blown away and humbled by the comments.

💬This is what the attendees had to say:

✅By far the BEST presentation of the conference. It was a relatable topic WITH action steps

✅Working as a care manager for a health insurance company was very stressful ... it was difficult at times to feel sympathetic, especially since I had several people on my caseload pass away because of the [Covid-19] infection. I understand the feeling of having to opt out.

✅Would love to have him share his story with our organization. Always looking for stories to inspire and make everyone feel the “normal”

✅I really enjoyed the topic and I found the information useful. I have too been dealing with burnout on and off the last few years.

✅Rev Patrick had a good sense of humor which engaged me after the lunch break and made the topic of burnout more interesting

✅I really appreciated the personalization of his delivery- the transparency is commendable

✅This topic is very overlooked at times and I really appreciated his discussion and his personal experiences.

✅Outstanding!

Apparently, I need to keep talking about hashtag#burnout.

#overcomeburnout #healthcare #continuingmedicaleducation #humanresources

I am not good at “letting go”

👐🏼 “Life is one long process of letting go.”

But I have failed to live by this mantra.

⚙️ Instead, I have believed that, given enough time, I can fix any broken situation.

🪛 That I can improve things. Repair things. That I can figure it out, and make a difference in the world.

The problem is, I have often been right. I have helped detangle many complicated situations. I have improved systems and communities. I have blazed trails that others can travel.

😷 But then, Covid arrived. And most days, the only trail I blazed went backward. I wasn't prepared, none of us were. And my perceived effectiveness plummeted.

🙅‍♂️ I did not. Let go. I doubled down on effort, trying to "solve" the worldwide pandemic, at least for my corner of the world. Valiant efforts, but it was killing me.

Until last fall.

Sometimes your physical health taps you on the shoulder.

👉 My physical health got my attention, but it was pointing to something else.

🧠 My mental health.

🤔 Finally, I realized that my midwestern, German-Catholic, white male entitled, “can-do” attitude had delivered in an unpleasant way.

🏆 I was a 44-year-old ordained pastor with a successful career. A multi-published author with a perfect family.

😔 But I was depressed for the first time in my life.

😤 The problem with depression is that it does not respond well when you work harder, plunge ahead, and keep on keeping on. The tools I had always relied on were, suddenly, ineffective.

😔 I needed grace. Surrender. Vulnerability. Self-compassion.

👐 In two words, I needed to let go.

(And I still need to.)

#mentalhealth #burnout #healthcarecoworkerburnout #depressionawareness

My first speaking engagement on Burnout

Was in April 2023—here are my reflections:

✅First conference workshop in the books!

😑I shared my story.

✔️Three years of pandemic leadership.

✔️Ethics policymaking.

✔️Leadership ups and downs.

😥I developed at least two new diagnoses last fall: AFib and Depression.

😣My counselor helped me see that both were connected to the stress I was under.

🆘Friday was my first in-person attempt to help others with this important topic. And it was great.

🗣️The crowd was fantastic, the conversation was affirming, and the reviews were humbling (100% said the material was helpful and relevant to them and one leader has already reached out about a follow-up opportunity to serve their front-line coworkers).

Title: "Moral Distress and Burnout: A Roadmap for You and Your Team"

OHIO ASSOCIATION OF GERONTOLOGY AND EDUCATION

#workshop #moraldistress #burnoutprevention #healthcareleadership

What leads to burnout?

❓What happens when moral distress goes unaddressed?

😷Moral residue.

If coworkers experience moral injury, distress, and residue repeatedly, what happens?

🔥Burnout.

📉Burnout leads to poor patient outcomes, absenteeism, a lack of engagement, and problems retaining talent.

😔Not to mention anxiety and depression for our coworkers.

#engagement #talent #moraldistress #healthcareethics #burnout

Have you experienced Moral Distress?

😒 Have you experienced moral distress and/or burnout?

😩 Do you feel emotionally exhausted?

🤷🏾‍♀️ Do you wonder if you're making a difference the way you wish you could?

🤦🏽‍♂️Have you seen things or done things at work that you deeply regret?

+++

92% of Critical Care RNs expect a SHORTER career due to Covid.

One-third to one-half of RNs and physicians were burned out BEFORE Covid-19

👩🏻‍⚕️Around 2/3 of RNs are burned out now (globally)

+++

RNs the most profoundly affected by Moral Distress and Burnout

⚕️However, every healthcare discipline has been affected

There is hope.

Healthcare and other industries must learn to support their coworkers facing these dilemmas. If we don't, the cost will be enormous.

#healthcare #burnoutrecovery #moralinjury #medicalethics #cne

What is moral distress?

What is Moral Distress?

Moral Distress occurs when we

take an action or witness an action

that violates our personal values.

🙊🙉🙈

In 1984, Andrew Jameton defined “moral distress” as a phenomenon in which one knows the right action to take, but is constrained from taking it.

🥺

Veteran's Affairs (VA) psychiatrist Jonathan Shay coined the term “moral injury” in the 1990s.

The VA says that moral injury can occur in response to acting or witnessing behaviors that go against an individual's values and moral beliefs.

👉Ex. 1: A healthcare leader advocates for or approves a zero visitor policy, resulting in loved ones being separated at the time of death.

Or

Being required to abide by that policy without the authority to override it

👉Ex. 2: A bedside nurse is required to do CPR for a patient she knows is not going to survive. The physical experience violates her values of allowing a peaceful death.

🫵What examples would come to mind for you?

#moraldistress #moralinjury #healthcareworkerburnout