78. I Didn’t Plan This Pause… But It Changed Everything

82. Hospice Nurse Burnout: When You Know Something Needs to Change

Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300872/fan_mail/new] If you're experiencing hospice nurse burnout and you know something has to change, this episode is for you. After interviewing hospice nurses across the country for the Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project, one message has become incredibly clear: Most hospice nurses don't want to leave hospice. They want to love hospice again. In this episode, I share a simple lesson from my morning walk that reminded me how often we convince ourselves that one small step won't make a difference. But what if those few intentional minutes aren't just another self-care task? What if they're the first step toward reconnecting with the nurse—and the person—you've always been? We'll talk about why hope doesn't always come before action, how small daily choices can help you reconnect with yourself, and why caring for yourself isn't about adding one more thing to your to-do list. It's about creating enough space to remember why you chose this work in the first place. If you've been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or disconnected from the work you love, I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone—and that meaningful change often begins with one small step. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why hospice nurse burnout isn't the end of your story • How small, intentional habits can create meaningful change • A different way to think about self-care • One simple question to ask before your day starts taking from you Next week: If you could truly hit reset, what would actually be different? We'll explore what life could look like when you begin finding your way back to yourself. If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another hospice nurse who could use a little hope today. Stressed out but don't have the time or energy to do anything about it? Check out The Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress at www.jennylytle.com/guide and make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review of the podcast - it really helps! Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide [https://www.jennylytle.com/guide] More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

81. You Don't Have to Leave Hospice to Feel Better: How to Stay in the Work You Love Without Losing Yourself

Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300872/fan_mail/new] Do you ever wonder if the only way to feel better is to leave hospice? In this episode, I'm sharing a personal update about a big transition in my own nursing career and why I'm choosing to focus even more on supporting hospice nurses. Hospice work is deeply meaningful, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Many of us entered this field because we felt called to it. We love our patients and families. We believe in the work. But somewhere along the way, many hospice nurses begin to lose themselves. The long days, the charting, the emotional weight, the constant giving, and the feeling that there's never enough time can leave us wondering how much longer we can keep going. In this episode, we talk about: * Why loving hospice and feeling exhausted can exist at the same time * The hidden cost of always putting everyone else first * Why waiting for a "less busy season" rarely works * How small, personalized acts of self-care can help you stay in the work you love * Why you don't have to choose between caring for others and caring for yourself I also share some of my own journey, including the lessons I've learned about boundaries, burnout, and the importance of putting ourselves on our own priority list. I'd Love to Hear From You As part of my Hospice Well-Being Project, I'm having conversations with hospice nurses to better understand the real challenges you're facing and to help create meaningful solutions. If you're a hospice nurse and would be willing to share your experiences, I'd love to connect with you. Schedule a conversation here: https://www.calendly.com/jennylytlern/hospice [https://www.calendly.com/jennylytlern/hospice] Free Resources You can also find free stress relief and self-care resources at: https:///www.jennylytle.com [https:///www.jennylytle.com] And remember... You don't have to leave hospice to feel better. Self-care isn't selfish. It's the only way we can continue to care for others and live our best lives. Stressed out but don't have the time or energy to do anything about it? Check out The Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress at www.jennylytle.com/guide and make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review of the podcast - it really helps! Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide [https://www.jennylytle.com/guide] More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

80. “I’m Always Behind”: What So Many Nurses Are Feeling

Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300872/fan_mail/new] During Nurses Week, there’s often a mix of emotions. Sometimes it feels validating and appreciated. Other times, it can feel like pizza parties and tote bags are being used to cover up very real struggles nurses face every day. In this episode of The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny talks about one of the most common things she’s hearing from nurses right now: > “I’m always behind and trying to catch up.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Jenny shares: *  Why so many nurses feel like they can never catch up  *  How burnout happens slowly over time  *  Why “it’ll get better soon” often doesn’t work  *  What reclaiming your evenings could actually look like  *  How burnout can feel even heavier when you truly love hospice work  *  Why intentional, personalized stress relief matters  Jenny also opens up about her own hospice burnout journey and how slowly the work she once loved began to feel overwhelming. If you’ve been charting late, struggling to disconnect from work, feeling exhausted, or wondering why nursing feels so much harder than it used to — this episode is for you. Reflection Question If you finished work on time, had your charting done, and could fully enjoy your evening… what would that change for you? Mentioned in This Episode *  The Hospice Nurses Wellbeing Project  *  Possible upcoming workshop: Reclaiming Your Evenings & Loving Your Work Again Connect with Jenny DM the word ENJOY to Instagram for more information about upcoming support and resources. Reminder Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential if we want to continue caring for others and living our best lives. Stressed out but don't have the time or energy to do anything about it? Check out The Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress at www.jennylytle.com/guide and make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review of the podcast - it really helps! Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide [https://www.jennylytle.com/guide] More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

79. Why Hospice Nurses Feel So Exhausted (It’s Not Just the Workload)

Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300872/fan_mail/new] Are you a hospice nurse feeling more exhausted than your workload alone can explain? In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom, Jenny Lytle, RN, explores emotional exhaustion in hospice nursing—and why it’s not just about caseload, charting, or long shifts. You’ll learn: *  Why hospice nurses carry more than they realize  *  How emotional experiences build up throughout the day  *  A simple 30-second awareness practice to help release stress  If you’re experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, or emotional overload, this episode offers validation and a practical starting point for self-care. 🔗 Get the companion reset practice: https://jennylytle.com/newsletter [https://jennylytle.com/newsletter] Stressed out but don't have the time or energy to do anything about it? Check out The Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress at www.jennylytle.com/guide and make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review of the podcast - it really helps! Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide [https://www.jennylytle.com/guide] More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

78. I Didn’t Plan This Pause… But It Changed Everything

Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2300872/fan_mail/new] After an unexpected injury and a couple of months away from the podcast, I’m finally back — and this pause brought more clarity than I ever expected. In this episode, I’m sharing what happened, what this season taught me, and why The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN is shifting to focus more intentionally on the emotional realities of hospice nursing. After 20 years in hospice case management, on-call, and leadership roles, one thing has become increasingly clear: Hospice nurses carry a lot. Emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. This new season will center more on supporting hospice nurses through practical self-care tools, emotional resilience, and honest conversations about what this work really feels like. I’m also introducing The Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project and inviting hospice nurses to participate in Hospice Nurse Conversations — relaxed, confidential 20–30 minute conversations about the realities of this work. 💛 If you’re a hospice nurse and would like to share your story, you can sign up here: https://calendly.com/jennylytlern/hospice [https://calendly.com/jennylytlern/hospice] Next episode: Why hospice nurses carry so much — and why it’s not just about the workload Until next time, remember: Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential if we want to continue to care for others and live our best lives. Stressed out but don't have the time or energy to do anything about it? Check out The Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress at www.jennylytle.com/guide and make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review of the podcast - it really helps! Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide [https://www.jennylytle.com/guide] More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle