How I Knew I Was Burned Out—And What I Did to Completely Transform My Life

If you’re a woman in healthcare running on fumes, just trying to keep your head above water, this story is for you.

About 10 years ago, I found myself in a place so many nurses know all too well: completely exhausted, overworked, and questioning if I could keep living like this. I was in nurse practitioner (NP) school at the time, juggling intense clinical hours and academic pressure—on top of working.

On the outside, it probably looked like I was holding it together. Honestly, I was overdelivering like so many of us do. But on the inside? My body was waving every red flag it could find:

• Constant anxiety

• Insomnia

• Heart palpitations

• Zero energy

• Thyroid issues I kept brushing off

Burnout wasn’t just knocking at the door—it had moved in, unpacked its bags, and was running the whole damn show. I ignored the whispers, then the talking, until my body started screaming. And still, like ...