Are you an SLP who wants to know more about Burnout? In many cases SLPs in burnout aren’t aware they are in burnout while they are in it - until they’ve recovered and can look back. In this episode, you’ll learn Sarah’s personal story of getting burnout (again!) this year, plus six workplace factors that lead to burnout, which will help you if you are considering a job switch or trying to figure out if you might be in burnout this year.
Transcript:
Hello and Welcome to the SLP Happy Hour Podcast. Today, it’s me Sarah with a job update and a self care challenge, so let’s get to it.
Up first, a bit of a job update and a job transition story. I’m hoping it’ll help some of you considering a job change, and maybe you’ll be able to relate. My work for the past many years has been half in my own clinic and half for the schools. The schools job has been with a telepractice company I enjoy and overall been a positive experience. If you’ve worked in the schools - or any setting - as an SLP this year you’ll know why this year has been a challenge for me. For me, I had more younger students and more students whose needs meant they needed individual sessions - there just weren’t enough hours, enough alternate placements. I had kids with higher needs and less support, because schools are especially stressed.
How did it feel? It felt there was never enough time to see the students. Meetings and paperwork took so much time. Add to that parent complaints and I felt like I was running on a hamster wheel - working hard but going nowhere. Using so much energy to try to make the impossible work started to feel impossible and impact my stress level. It’s impacted my stress, sleep - I was chronically stressed, tired, and anxious. I was exhausted when I came home from work - I felt like an SLP Zombie. At the end of the workday I was exhausted and just couldn’t process any more information.
I was doing self care. I was going to therapy. But there comes a time in which you just can’t do the impossible and some jobs are not set up for your success. Self care isn’t the answer in these cases, the job isn’t possible.
I asked for help, and got a clear no. That made the decision easier, but I spent months ruminating and overthinking and walking away (in June) was a hard decision, but ultimately I decided to leave the schools in June and work full time in my own clinic.
There were some great benefits for working as a contractor for the schools:
I got paid even if students didn’t show up, wheras in private practice I don’t get paid if a student doesn’t show up
I enjoy working with others who care about students, and working in private practice can feel more isolating
Everyone who meets a certain criteria in the schools is eligible, no one gets turned away because they can’t pay, versus in private practice you end up working with the families who can afford it
My clinic made it through the pandemic, so I feel it’s a steady job. I don’t need a second job in the schools, I can trust that my clinic can give me full time work. I have told my school site, and feel confident in this decision because this year was such a struggle.
Here are some questions to ask yourself if you are considering a work transition:
Am I happy? Do I feel like (at least most of the time) this job is hopeful and possible?
What would make this better? Have I asked for it? Listen to the answer and make sure it is backed up with action.
Does walking away feel like a good scary (scary + freedom) or a bad scary (I.e. the learning curve to do anything different is so high I’d rather stay put).
Am I in burnout? The three signs a) emotional exhaustion b) depersonalization (feeling like your efforts aren’t making a difference c) lack of feelings of personal accomplishment in your work. Remember burnout isn’t up to you - it is something that is created by workplace factors, not personal factors. We can also experience burnout more than once. Burnout isn’t caused by not having enough self care and isn’t cured by self care.
Check out this article from the Atlantic Only Your Boss Can Cure Your Burnout
Six workplace factors that contribute to burnout
Workload - is there too much?
Control over work - are there so many rules and regulations that you feel like you can’t truly do your job?
Are you getting recognition and reward for your work?
Do you have a supportive work environment?
Are you treated fairly and with humanity?
Does the job provide meaning and value to you?
If you want more on burnout check out Episode 39 Why Burnout is Not Your Fault and Episode 47 on Millennial Burnout. Often we don’t know we are in burnout until we are over it.
If you have questions about burnout or suggestions for future episodes, please use the contact form on our website to reach out.
Self Care Challenge
Find the Maslach Burnout Inventory online and take it (it’s available on a variety of formats for free), take it yourself to see if you are at risk for burnout.
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