Scrubs And Sanity

Keeping your scrubs clean and your sanity (mostly) intact

A mental health nurse who (after stumbling and caffeine fueling through training) knows how tough working in healthcare can get. The burnout, short-staffing & never ending training years. Here I’ll give you honest reflections, & strategies to protect your mental health while navigating the chaos of healthcare. About


PS. Real life resources are on their way – think e-journals, interactive grounding methods, planners and study tips. To help you not just survive but breathe between shifts.

5 Signs of Burnout Every Healthcare Professional Should Watch For

🚨Burnout in healthcare is talked about so much it almost becomes background noise – but it’s more than just a buzzword.

The reality is it’s heavy, relentless, and doesn’t care how “strong” you are. To me, it feels like I’ve been run over by a night shift and backed over again by the morning one.

Burnout symptoms can sneak up on anyone — for a deeper insight into my personal battle with burnout and a fuller discussion around what to watch out for and how to manage click here.

For now, here are 5 signs of burnout to watch for before it takes over:


1. Constant Exhaustion

You wake up tired, spend the day tired, and collapse into bed… still tired. At this point, coffee isn’t a boost — it’s just emotional support in a mug.

2. Short Fuse

Every little thing sets you off — colleagues, patients, the microwave that dared beep too loudly. If your irritability is running the show, that’s a classic burnout warning.

3. Detachment & Cynicism

That creeping “why bother?” mindset. You catch yourself rolling your eyes at everything, even the motivational posters in the staff room. (Guess what? You’re not heartless — you’re just burned out.)

4. Brain Fog

Forgetting simple things, zoning out mid-task, making mistakes you normally wouldn’t. It’s like your brain has switched to low-power mode.

5. Loss of Joy

Work feels flat, and even the stuff you used to love outside of work feels… meh. If both scrubs and Saturday nights feel joyless, those are strong burnout signs.


👉 Here’s the truth: burnout at work doesn’t magically disappear because you “push through.” If these signs feel uncomfortably familiar, it might be time to pause, reset, and actually put yourself on the priority list for once.

If you’re struggling to figure out how, check out my favourite habits and non-negotiables by clicking here.

💬 Over to you:

  • Have you noticed these burnout symptoms in yourself or your team?
  • What helps you bounce back when you’re running on fumes?

Burnout in healthcare is real, but it’s not a solo battle. Subscribe, share, or drop me a message — let’s figure out how to keep our sanity intact (or at least within reach).


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