Healthcare workers, especially female healthcare workers, are experiencing burnout at concerning rates. According to a recent survey by nursing marketplace platform ShiftKey shared with The Hill, 86% of women in the field, including nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and technicians, reported burnout, with 64% feeling at risk of burning out presently. The rates are somewhat lower for men; 66% of male healthcare workers reported burnout, with 55% at risk of burning out currently. Female nurses were more likely than male nurses to consider leaving the field, with 53% of women compared to 32% of men expressing this sentiment. It is worth noting that physicians were not included in ShiftKey's survey.
Other research supports this trend, with data from the American Medical Association showing that 57% of female physician and non-physician healthcare providers reported burnout in 2022, compared to 47% of their male counterparts. A study by the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Resiliency & Well-Being Center revealed that women in health care face higher levels of stress and burnout than men due to gender inequity, lack of autonomy in the workplace, and poor work-life balance.
Kate Benoit, a 52-year-old licensed practical nurse (LPN) from Austin, Texas, shared her experience of nearly burning out four years ago. She attributed her struggles to being overloaded with increased shifts and responsibilities without adequate support, work-life balance, or consideration for personal needs related to her family, especially her disabled son. Despite experiencing stress common among many nurses, Benoit believes that women face additional challenges due to societal expectations that they shoulder more household and familial responsibilities than men.
Leigh Frame, from George Washington University, highlighted the immense pressure faced by women in balancing work and family responsibilities, exacerbated by the demanding nature of healthcare environments. She emphasized the importance of self-care in alleviating the intense pressures healthcare workers, particularly women, face in juggling professional and personal obligations.