December 9, 2024

Working in healthcare is one of the most rewarding professions—but it’s also one of the most demanding. We understand the pressures you face, from the physical demands of long shifts to the emotional weight of caring for patients and families. That’s why Texas Children’s is committed to supporting you with programs, tools and resources designed to help you thrive.

Burnout is a reality for many healthcare workers, but it’s not inevitable. Recognizing the signs and accessing available support can make all the difference.

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Burnout isn’t the same as stress, it’s more pervasive and persistent. Defined by three key dimensions, burnout manifests as:

  • Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained, overwhelmed and unable to recharge.
  • Depersonalization: Becoming detached or indifferent toward patients or colleagues.
  • Reduced sense of accomplishment: Struggling to find meaning in your work or feeling ineffective.

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, you’re not alone. The resources and tips below are designed to help address challenges early and build resilience. If your symptoms of burnout are severe and self-care strategies are no longer working, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential counseling for team members who are struggling. Visit the EAP SharePoint or call 832.824.3327 for access to on-site services and support.

Supporting your physical health

Taking care of your physical and mental health lays the foundation for resilience. Texas Children’s offers a variety of programs to make prioritizing wellness more accessible:

  • Employee Medical Services: Access full-service primary care, flu vaccines, and workplace injury support through the Employee Medical Clinic (EMC) and Employee Health programs.
  • Fitness classes: Join a yoga or strength training class to incorporate movement into your week and recharge.
  • Health coaching: Meet with a coach to create a personalized wellness plan focused on nutrition, exercise or other health goals.

Action for this week: Schedule a quick 10-minute stretch break during your shift, sign up for a free fitness class, or set up an appointment with a health coach through Workforce Well-Being.

Building mental, emotional and spiritual resilience

Healthcare work can be emotionally taxing, which is why Texas Children’s offers robust support for emotional and spiritual well-being:

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Take advantage of on-site confidential counseling, mental health toolkits, and stress management resources for you and your family.
  • Workforce Chaplains and grief support: Access compassionate support through one-on-one sessions or group settings.
  • Mindfulness resources: Apply strategies from the Mindfulness Moments Series or begin your own practice of deep breathing, meditation or reflective journaling to reset and reconnect.

Action for this week: Begin a Starting Shift and Going Home Checklist practice to help keep a positive mindset at work. Visit the EAP SharePoint or Spiritual Well-Being pages to explore more mindfulness resources.

Setting boundaries to recharge

Setting boundaries isn’t about saying “no” to everything—it’s about making space for the things that matter most. Protecting your time can improve focus and help prevent burnout.

  • Take breaks: Build short pauses into your day to recharge. Even five minutes of breathing or stretching can help.
  • Set clear limits: Define an end to your workday and prioritize time for personal activities, hobbies or rest.
  • Stress management: Explore our suite of in-person or virtual sessions on topics like guided walks, stress management tips and breathing exercises.

Action for this week: Block out 10 minutes on your calendar for a workday break and commit to leaving work on time at least one day.

Finding strength in community

Connecting with colleagues can be a lifeline in challenging times. Texas Children’s fosters a supportive environment through unique opportunities for connection:

  • Expressive Art for Well-Being: Join or request an immersive session to create art, socialize with colleagues and take a mental break.
  • Employee pet therapy: Spend time with therapy animals during on-site visits to boost your mood and reduce stress.
  • Team-building activities: Engage in wellness challenges, creative workshops or casual coworker connections.

Action for this week: Reach out to a coworker to share a break or lunch or sign up to attend a team-building activity of your choice to connect with others. 

Celebrating excellence in employee well-being

Texas Children’s Pediatrics recently earned the prestigious Joy in Medicine™ distinction from the American Medical Association (AMA). This honor recognizes commitment to fostering a culture of resilience, connection, and care—values that extend across all areas of our organization. We are proud to be acknowledged as a leader in supporting employee well-being.

Explore the resources available to you

Burnout is a serious challenge, but at Texas Children’s, you’re never facing it alone. We encourage you to visit the Workforce Well-Being page to explore the many tools and resources Texas Children’s offers to help you thrive physically, mentally and emotionally.

To help our ostomy patients across the Medical Center Campus who need expert care by pediatric-trained providers, Texas Children’s Pediatric Surgery Division restructured the hospital’s Ostomy Program after thoughtful collaboration with nursing, surgical and APP leadership with our HAPI/Skin Champion Team.

The new program is called Pediatric Ostomy and Peristomal Support (POPS). Led by Shannon McCord, associate chief of the Wound Care Clinic, and Dr. Sundeep Keswani, chief of Pediatric Surgery, the POPS program includes ostomy evaluation and treatment, acute or chronic colostomy & ileostomy stoma concerns, peristomal skin care, appliance selection, ongoing ostomy education for providers and nursing and care coordination.

To support the POPS program, 25 pediatric surgeons, urologists, advanced practice providers and nurses participated in a four-day didactic and lab-based training program learning about the latest advances in ostomy care. By the conclusion of training, the providers will be certified in Ostomy Management by the Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI). Providers from all four Texas Children’s campuses participated in the training to ensure a consistent standard of care across the campuses.

POPS is available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Medical Center campus. During these hours, call the POPS Voalte phone (3-5707) for direct access to care. If an ostomy-related issue arises, place a consult in Epic to IP Pediatric General Surgery Service and call the Voalte phone x3-5707 to collaborate on the patient’s care. For nights and weekends, follow the previously established process of contacting Pediatric Surgery. Escalate additional concerns by contacting the charge nurse or attending physician. 

In this moving story, Brenda Del La Rosa shares her experiences as a mother to her daughter, Izzy, who was born with complex heart disease. Diagnosed during a 16-week evaluation, Izzy was given only a 5% chance of survival. Despite the odds, Izzy has thrived under the care of Texas Children’s Hospital’s pediatric and adult care teams.

Now 20 years old, Izzy has transitioned from pediatric to adult care in the Adult Congenital Heart program at Texas Children’s. Brenda and Izzy reflect on the significance of the medical teams who have supported them along the way, from doctors and nurses who formed meaningful connections to friends who provided encouragement.

Brenda speaks with heartfelt gratitude about the journey they have been on together, and how she draws strength from her role as Izzy’s mother. They hope that their story will inspire other families facing similar challenges to keep fighting and hold onto hope.

Click here to watch the video.

December 2, 2024

Texas Children’s Hospital is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its pioneering heart transplant program. Click here to read the press release. 

Pre-submit a question for Dr. Ward to answer during the Town Hall. Click here to submit a question.

 

Our commitment to excellence is essential to who we are at Texas Children’s. Providing the best care, sustaining the highest level of performance and achieving the most outstanding benchmarks in quality and safety are what make this One Amazing Team extraordinary.

Our People, Performance and Preeminence (P3) Incentive Plan promotes this mission as we work towards shared targets in the areas of patient experience, quality, service, safety and access. By meeting these goals and the financial circuit-breaker, Texas Children’s can continue to maintain and exceed our high standards while rewarding you for your commitment.

To be eligible for the payout, an employee must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Must be hired on or before April 15 of performance period
  • Have received a “Successful” or better rating on their performance review for the current Performance Period
  • Not be classified as a temporary employee
  • Not be eligible for any other bonus plan
  • Be actively employed on the payout date

For more information on this year’s goals by entity, please visit the Texas Children’s Incentive Plan site.