By: Shari Dalton
Here at Moxie, we’ve been fielding messages from agencies and recruiters for the last several weeks asking how to avoid complete and utter burnout. Let’s face it, your role as a healthcare recruiter is more important than ever, but it has never been more challenging. We wanted to put together a few simple steps that you can take to avoid losing your ever-loving mind during these trying times.
1. Remember your why. We all work for a reason-something gets us up out of bed every day and on the phones. There’s no wrong answer here. You do it for your kids, or you do it for that new car you want to buy, or you love the thrill of the placement. Maybe you do it because you know you’re helping someone advance their career; or helping hospitals during a time of need to find quality healthcare professionals to care for patients that would otherwise receive inadequate care as a result of staffing shortages. Every morning spend a few minutes thinking about your why.
2. Look back and reminisce for a moment on how far you’ve come. Oftentimes, when we’re climbing that mountain, we’re looking up and forward. Don’t forget to take a minute to look back and give yourself a pat on the back for how far you’ve come and what you’ve learned along the way.
3. Remember their why. We all have those “good eggs”-the nurses and therapist that we absolutely love. The ones who know how hard you work for them and appreciate what it is that you do day in and day out. Think about those who are jumping into the frontlines and are there to help because that is what they were born to do.
4. Stop trying to fight a losing battle. We can all be a little stubborn in our own way. And there’s nothing that someone is going to say to change our minds. It works that way for others too. So stop. Stop expelling energy. Stop being frustrated and let it go. Stop engaging with people who don’t respect recruiters and agencies and the work you do. You won’t change their minds. And engaging with these individuals could change your outlook in an unhealthy way.
5. No mo’ FOMO. Limit the time you spend the news and on social outlets like Facebook. You’re not missing out on anything. We are all literally sitting in our sweatpants and fuzzy socks at home working away. The country will not spontaneously re-open and forget to tell you. Limit your intake. This will do more for your soul than you could imagine! Try it-just for a day or two.
6. Take time for self-care. You are your most important asset and advocate. If you need a break, take a break. Pick up an old hobby, take a walk, scroll some funny videos, facetime happy hour with friends-do something that brings you joy. And shut off your texts and emails while you do it. In the same way that you give 100% to your job, give 100% to yourself, even if it is just an hour a day.
Recruiting has never been easy, and it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ve got this! Stick to your process, stay focused, and be kind…to yourself and others.
