Training yourself to be “awake” when you’re on the job is a way to ease the onslaught of burnout. I am thinking about all the nurses, at this very moment, doing the same task over and over again. They are writing the same words in their nurses’ notes, checking the same boxes for meds given, hanging the same IV bags, and facing the long lists of treatments to do. How could anyone in this kind of position even think about waking up by actually slowing down, even just a little bit?

I don’t guarantee this will work, but here is an idea to try:
Take 1-3 deep breaths before some of your tasks, or even all of them.
Stop walking, talking, and moving while you do this. Smiling is definitely okay to do, though. Looking into the eyes of your patient while you do this is also encouraged. Invite your patients to join you.

Then when you return to your mundane, and often critical, tasks after this brief “retreat” notice how your hands move, how your mind feels (not thinks) and how your eyes see.

When you first try this, you may feel entirely ridiculous. You may not even want to give it a try. But don’t let your negative, discouraged, stressed out self force you to continue working mindlessly and even sorrowfully. Do this often each day. The key is the noticing that comes during these intervals. You could write little notes to yourself, but don’t let it become another chore and a something that you should do. Just breathe…

[There's more to try after this small step.....
but for now, this is a first step or two.]

Essential Breathing (art and words from Yoga News)
Oxygen is the most essential nutrient for human life. We can live mere moments without oxygen, while we can go without water for three days and without food for nearly six weeks. Breathing deeply is essential, both for optimum health, but also for continued lung capacity. Some studies have estimated that up to 75% of a person’s lung capacity can be lost unless a person practices deep breathing. Deep breathing stimulates organs in the body, increases circulation, decreases stress and allows us to process our emotions fully. Many people have to actually re-learn how to breathe fully, so start today to reclaim the wonderful effects of filling your lungs to capacity!