COVID Burnout

Burnt By COVID-19? 

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for everyone. So far, the US has seen more than 62 million cases and over 840,000 deaths — and the numbers are still rising. Millions have experienced major disruptions in their lives — from bouts of sickness, hospital stays, and the loss of loved ones to lost jobs and home quarantine. Add to that the emotional toll of the uncertainty that comes with such a virulent disease, and it’s safe to say it has been an extraordinarily difficult two-plus years for all of us.

But perhaps no one has been hit harder than medical professionals — the doctors, nurses, PAs, and allied workers who have been on the front lines of the pandemic from the beginning.

COVID’s Continued Toll on Medical Professionals

According to researchers, COVID burnout has taken a serious toll on medical professionals in our country. Common sources of burnout have included stress, anxiety and depression, fear of exposure, and workload. In fact, one study showed these conditions have led almost half (49%) of medical professionals to report that they are burnt out.

Am I Burnt Out?

How do you know if you’re one of the many healthcare workers who has become burnt out during the COVID pandemic? The CDC says there are certain characteristics or changes to watch out for.

• Irritation, anger, or denial
• Feelings of uncertainty, nervousness, or anxiety
• Helplessness or powerlessness
• Diminished motivation
• Feeling exhausted or overwhelmed
• Sadness or depression
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating

If you’ve suffered from one or more of these conditions, you may find yourself considering other options. For many medical professionals, a switch to the field of aesthetic medicine has been the remedy they need.

Top 5 Reasons Healthcare Workers are Swerving to Aesthetics

Medical aesthetics is the health-related field dedicated to restoring, preserving, and enhancing people’s physical appearance and function. It can include work with non-invasive treatments, injectables, and other restorative therapies.

But beyond a change in techniques, a career in aesthetic medicine can relieve burnout in several ways — and keep it from coming back.

1. Emotional Health

The work environment in the aesthetic medical field is generally MUCH less stressful. To be sure, the health, safety, and wellbeing of patients are still the highest priority. But without the added pressure of triage and daily life-or-death decisions, the emotional weight is usually much more manageable.

2. Work-Life Balance

No more 80+ hour weeks! No more on-call shifts or emergency calls! Aesthetic providers typically operate only during set hours and on set days. Further, shifts generally reflect a standard workday. That means most aesthetic professionals can consistently enjoy evenings, weekends, holidays with family or friends, or personal pursuits.

3. Growing Demand

The field of aesthetic medicine is a vibrant one. Advances in injectables, non-invasive therapies, and surgical procedures are making aesthetic treatments safer, more effective, and more affordable for more people. One report indicates that almost ALL (98%) of the Millennial Generation would consider professional treatment at some point in their lives. And Boomers aren’t staying behind either. As they enjoy retirement and enjoy more disposable income, the number of cosmetic treatments continues to increase year-over-year.

4. Earning Potential

There’s no doubt you can earn more working in aesthetics than you can in a hospital. In fact, ZipRecruiter pegs the national average salary for aesthetic nurses at almost $86,000 compared to around $70,000 for RNs. But the starting salary is just the baseline. You can increase your income through experience and advanced training. Or — with an entrepreneurial spirit and a few business skills — you can start your own practice, and your earning potential is virtually unlimited!

5. Career Control

Ultimately, you are in control of the direction your career goes in aesthetic medicine. You get to decide what practice you join or whether you prefer to work for yourself alone. Either way, you are no longer bound to the whims of a distant hospital administration. Instead, you have the power to shape your career to fit your values, goals, and lifestyle.

Start Your Swerve Today with Aesthetic Mentor

Founded by Harvard-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph A. Russo in 2011, Aesthetic Mentor has trained over 3,000 healthcare providers wanting to transition into aesthetics. Aesthetic Mentor is the industry leader in hands-on training for medical aesthetics as well as continued education and career development. From novice courses to advanced courses, Aesthetic Mentor’s curriculum is based upon Dr. Russo’s “safe provider method” — an approach that focuses on compliance, minimizing adverse events, and providing you with all of the knowledge you need to say “goodbye” to COVID burnout and take control of your career.

Click here to schedule a free career consultation with one of our Student Advisors.