Existing research shows that the factors related to chaplain burnout include the quality of interpersonal skills, relationships outside the chaplaincy context, establishment of peer/mentor relationships, the existence of high role expectations. While institutional changes and peer support can address these issues to some degree, those of us working in chaplaincy and other caregiving roles rarely prioritize rest as a primary commitment to our own physical and spiritual well-being so that we can, in turn, serve others. What would shift if chaplains regularly prioritized our own spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being as foundational to our ability to offer impactful care?
Choosing Chaplaincy, Choosing to Serve
There is always one more visit....
In our current work culture, particularly in healthcare, there are simply not enough people to do the jobs that need to be done. Staff shortages can lead to chaplains being overworked. Imagine having enough chaplains to provide whole person care in all units?
Rabbi Len Muroff, Hospice Chaplain, Los Angeles says we should begin to reframe how we understand burnout. “Burnout implies the health care worker is lacking in some way. Looking at things through this prism is not enriching to the person who has that feeling and it does not facilitate personal and professional recovery and growth."
Check out our primary resource linked below, exploring a useful analogy for burnout.
Consider
What do you need to let go of? What do you need to add to your life to do a better job of taking care of yourself? What is getting in the way? Who can help?