You came back ?! Great! Hopefully, you read my introduction already and know that this is a sabbatical blog. Over the next few months, I will be sharing my sabbatical journey.
Initially, when I realized that I was burned out, I thought maybe I just needed another job. However, nothing excited me. As I contemplated the idea of sabbaticals, I found limited information on nursing sabbaticals. Doctors, professors, teachers, and even clergy can take sabbaticals. What about nurses? And so began my research.
What does it mean when someone is on sabbatical?
The word sabbatical can be traced back to the Bible and the word Sabbath, which indicated that on the 7th day, we should rest. The formal definition says to take a formal rest or break.
A period during which an employee can take time away from work to study or travel.
–Cambridge Dictionary
Furthermore, the concept of Shmita was a part of Jewish culture in relation to agriculture, where the land would be worked for 6 years and then allowed to rest on the 7th year, according to this site. The theory is if the land was able to rest, it would provide more in the future. Wow, even the land should rest.
Fast forward to the 1800s, Harvard University was the first institution to adopt a sabbatical policy for “health, rest, study, or the prosecution of original work in literature or science.” as per Times article. According to Kang, sabbaticals were indicated for rest and break from routine on the 7th year for” rejuvenation and restoration”. Many other universities followed suit by allowing professors to have a sabbatical every 7th year for the purpose of research, rest, or travel with either partial or full salary. So, those who teach to inspire the minds of the future should rest? Who else should have this benefit?
Do companies pay for sabbaticals?
In 1977, McDonald’s was the first company to offer sabbaticals to corporate employees. In 2015, Fortune magazine highlighted 21 companies who already had paid leave policies, and not just for maternity or medical leave. Almost 14% of U.S. companies offered some form of a sabbatical policy in the Times article by 2017. Many of these companies have sabbaticals that range from 8 weeks to 6 months. Synchrony financial started a sabbatical policy which includes 1 year away from work with 25% reduced pay. Citigroup started a 12-week sabbatical program in 2021 as noted by Forbes. But the reality is, that most Americans who want to pursue temporary breaks from their careers are on their own!
What about nursing?
This brings me back to my beloved nursing profession. Nurses are deemed one of the most honest and ethical professions for 20 years in a row according to a Gallup poll surpassing doctors by 14%. Nurses are in hospitals, schools, primary care offices, government, the tech industry, and the list goes on. Everyone has received care from a nurse. Many nurses would attest to enjoying taking care of others. However, the job is hard, grueling, with long hours, and rotating shifts. We sacrifice meals, bathroom breaks, family time at holidays to care for the population. However, there is limited time to care for ourselves. Vacation days are denied by hospital leaders at times (including myself as a nurse leader) due to staffing needs. On days off, nurses are asked to help cover sick calls or can they cover “just for a few hours” to care for the sick in the hospital. Only to find themselves working 6-7 days in a row. Currently, there are large nursing shortages across the nation because we are tired, exhausted, and burned out. The most recent news of an ICU nurse who left his assignment in the middle of a shift is heartbreaking.
Nurse leaders are also feeling the strain. Most leaders enter their role hoping to make a difference. Nonetheless, the pressures to maintain staffing, care for the staff, and ensure optimal health outcomes for patients are overwhelming.
Should nurses take breaks?
If Sabbaticals are for the purpose of rest and rejuvenation of oneself, can you imagine the benefits of nurses taking sabbaticals like their physician colleagues? It would allow nurses to step away from the workforce, rest, travel, spend time with family, rejuvenate their spirit, and have mental space to explore methods to advance nursing. Nurses may want to even stay with a hospital/health system/ company longer knowing that a sabbatical was an option. Imagine a nursing workforce with creative innovative ideas, high engagement, and positive patient outcomes because they were able to participate in a sabbatical program.
My initial thoughts about my sabbatical seemed wild. When I told my boss that I was resigning, my inner voice said,
“Are you really leaving your job?”
And yet, as I shared my decision to leave with more of my colleagues, my voice gained confidence and my gut told me, “Oh yeah, I am definitely taking a sabbatical.” I am now 2 months into my sabbatical, and it has been amazing. I initially thought it would only last 3 months, but now it’s more like 6 months.
In the end, I believe All nurses should take sabbaticals! Over the new few months, I will explore how to take a personal sabbatical, have a discussion about a sabbatical with your employer/hospital, and how hospitals can use sabbaticals as a retention initiative.
If you want a peek into a day in my sabbatical life, check out my Instagram, @thenursesabbatical.
Thanks for reading. Until next time…