How to support a friend burning out in the NHS?

[cakehoover123]

An old friend is an NHS mental health nurse, qualified a few years ago.

She seems to have an increasingly unmanageable caseload, and struggles to take any leave because there's no cover for her high-risk patients.

I'm worried she's going to burn out - she always sounds exhausted.

It's so sad because all she wanted to do was care for people, but she says now she can only give poor-quality care because she's too stretched.

I try to do nice things for her but it's difficult, we don't live in the same town. I also feel guilty because my job is relatively undemanding.

Is there anything I can do to support her, practical or personal?

I don't know if there is really but thank you if you have any suggestions. ❤️

Be there for her to rant to. Keep inviting her to things - she won't always be able to come, but is likely to appreciate the thought. Maybe send her little self care packages - nice candles, bath stuff, posh tea or similar every so often.

This doesn't sound real, more like an invite to nhs bashing thread.

I mean everyone knows the nhs is on its arse. But what realistically can you do about it for your friend? Step in and take some of her caseload for her?

I post as someone who is also over stretched and stressed in the nhs, but my friends can't do anything about it!

I promise it's real!

I know I can't do much practical though, sorry if it was a silly question.

Maybe I just want her to feel that someone cares, and that is the main thing I can do.

@R41nb0wR0se thanks for the suggestions.

Also not NHS bashing - I know it's not their fault!

Don't vote Tory?
And be there for her . She might need professional support. Pretty sure she can access free talk therapies through NHS .

Have you tried asking her? She'll know better what she needs than us. We're a random bunch of people who have never met either of you and don't know any of the dynamics of your friendship.

It sounds odd that you feel guilty for having a less stressed life than her. Do you have an anxious attachment style?

Speaking as a stressed nhs worker , i think it’s nice you want to do something for her . How about sending some flowers to have something cheery to loo at? Or a hello fresh box for some nice food ?

If you make her feel heard and understood and not forgotten, that's about all you can do.
Conversations or thoughtful gestures or invitations which get that message across are perfect.

OP you sound like a lovely friend.
Just be there for her as a kind listening ear and try to encourage her to take care of herself physically and mentally.

We look after all the local medics' cats when they go on holiday. Our medics have an astonishing number of support cats.

Has she told you she's worried about burning out, @cakehoover123 ? What has she said to you about needing help? Or has she said nothing, and just seems too busy, to you?