The Mission
The Burnout Book is dedicated to supporting nurses and providing resources to decrease and prevent burnout and help them become resilient in their professional practice.
It's all about helping you keep your spark for nursing.
The Story
The original burnout book was a little journal with a lime green cover. I started writing in it during my second year of nursing as a way to document the funny moments from the day, the advice I'd get from patients, and the thank you notes from my coworkers. When I would have a particularly hard day, I would pull that book out of my locker and skim through it to remind myself of the good moments and why I loved being a nurse. Don't get me wrong, the book did not prevent me from getting burned out. But it did serve as a useful tool in helping me bounce back as a more resilient nurse.
That little book triggered the idea that GREW into a desire to create an online community and a space devoted to reducing burnout and promoting resilience. This is my small attempt to be part of the solution.
“Every one of us — individually and collectively — has a part to play in decreasing burnout, and we must use our bold voices to speak up, step up, and take care of each other.”
Who's behind The Burnout Book?
Anna M. Alder
Hello! I'm Anna M. Alder, MS, RN, PCCN, CCRN, NPD-BC. I've been a Registered Nurse since 2008. I've worked in a variety of areas: medical/surgical, telemetry, cardiovascular ICU, nurse manager, ICU travel nurse, critical care float pool, and endoscopy.
During my fourteen years as a nurse, I’ve witnessed healthcare professionals struggle with major issues like burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress. While working as a nurse manager for two years, I experienced burnout myself! I was able to return to bedside nursing and that’s when I became obsessed with the topic of nurse well-being. I created The Burnout Book, a website and blog with a mission to help my fellow nurses know they aren’t alone, help them find the tools and resources they need to avoid burnout in their profession, and help them keep their spark for nursing! I also focus on how healthcare organizations can create healthy work environments and support their staff.
Sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date on Burnout Book content and follow on Instagram for self-care inspiration, resilience tips, and support! I’m also available for speaking engagements or online collaborations! Learn more about me on the FAQ page.
In the Media
“Moral Resilience for Critical Care Nurses” published in Critical Care Clinics of North America, September 2020.
Interviewed on Emergency Nurses Association Podcast “Avoiding Burnout,” March, 2020.
Interview with Daily Nurse, “Self Care tips for the Holiday Season,” December 2019.
The Burnout Book Blog post “6 Interview Questions to Find a Healthy Work Environment” featured in AACN’s Bold Voices monthly publication, December 2018, “Ask Interview Questions to Assess Burnout Risk.”
Listen to an Interview for the podcast “Burnt Out to Lit Up” with Joy Energy Time.
Listen to an interview for the podcast “Your Next Shift” with Elizabeth Scala.
Listen to a panel interview podcast with Critical Care Practitioner Jonathan Downham about NTI 2018.
Disclaimer Information: I am a registered nurse with a critical care background. I am not a trained mental health expert. Please see your primary care provider or another trained professional if you need immediate assistance with your stress and/or anxiety related to burnout.
All views and opinions are my own and do not reflect that of my current or past employers.
For more information, please read the Disclaimers Page.