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Burnout isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a growing crisis that’s shaking the very foundations of healthcare, disability, and aged care systems. And in this week’s episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I’m sharing why frontline staff burnout matters to all of us — even if you’ve never worked a day in the sector. 

As someone living with MS and stage 4 breast cancer, and having worked across social work, NDIS auditing, and corporate training — I’ve seen both sides. I know how much it takes to hold space for others… and this space needs to be held in return. 

This episode is a call to awareness, empathy, and action. 

Understanding Burnout in the Health, Disability & Aged Care Sectors 

Burnout isn’t just about feeling “tired.” It’s a full-body shutdown — emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by long-term, repeated stress. 

For frontline workers, burnout often goes unnoticed. You won’t always see someone collapse — you’ll see someone quietly withdrawing, emotionally drained, doubting their impact, and feeling like they’re holding everything together… barely. 

And when burnout takes hold, it affects more than just the worker — it affects patients, participants, care recipients, and families. That means it affects you, too. 

The Statistics Are Startling — And Global 

This isn’t just a workplace issue. It’s a looming care crisis. 

• Disability sector: 24% of casual and 16% of permanent workers are leaving (NDS, 2024) 

• Healthcare sector: 28% of nurses plan to leave in the next 2–5 years due to burnout (APNA, 2024) 

• Aged care sector: Up to 139,000 workers may leave within 3 years (CompliSpace, 2022) 

These numbers reflect something deeper — exhaustion, emotional strain, and a system stretched too thin. 

The Hurdle2Hope® Roadmap: A Practical Framework for Frontline Burnout 

After living through MS, stage 4 cancer, and working with frontline professionals, I’ve created a simple framework to help staff understand where they are emotionally — and what they need to move forward. 

This is the Hurdle2Hope® Roadmap, and it’s built on three stages: Crisis, Turmoil, and Growth. 

🔴 Stage 1: Crisis 

This is survival mode. You’re running on empty, overwhelmed, emotionally shut down, or just trying to get through the shift. 

For example: 

• A nurse powering through her third night shift with no breaks, telling herself “I’m fine.” 

• A support worker showing up to every appointment, but unable to be fully present. 

Mindset shift: Harness Your Strength 
This isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about pressing pause, delaying big decisions, and reminding yourself: you don’t have to fix everything alone. 

🟠 Stage 2: Turmoil 

This stage is noisy with emotion. Frustration, guilt, resentment — they bubble under the surface or spill over. 

You’re still functioning, but it’s taking everything you’ve got. 

For example: 

• A support worker snaps at a teammate, then cries on the way home. 

• An aged care worker feels disconnected from residents — and from their own compassion. 

Mindset shift: Regain Your Power 
You can’t control everything, but you can choose how you respond and what to focus on.  

This is where organisations must show up too. Turmoil is the retention tipping point. Don’t lose people here. 

🟢 Stage 3: Growth 

Growth doesn’t mean the pressure disappears. It means you're adapting, reconnecting with purpose, and finding your way back to what matters. 

For example: 

• A nurse debriefs with a colleague after every shift — and feels human again. 

• A worker starts noticing small wins and remembering why they chose this job. 

Mindset shift: Build Your Resilience 
This is where we challenge old thinking, try new strategies, and nurture a culture that’s truly resilient — not just coping. 

How We Can All Support Frontline Workers 

You don’t need to be in management to make a difference. Here’s how we can all help: 

👩‍⚕️ If you’re a leader or manager: 

• Prioritise wellbeing in PD and staff check-ins 

• Make space for real conversations — not just performance reviews 

• Model rest and reflection 

👥 If you’re a colleague or peer: 

• Ask: “Crisis, Turmoil, or Growth?” 

• Let people vent without fixing 

• Acknowledge the small wins — they matter 

🧡 If you’re a friend or family member of a frontline worker: 

• Don’t offer solutions — offer presence 

• Ask what support looks like to them 

🧑‍🦽 If you’re receiving care: 

• Know that kindness goes both ways 

• Your compassion can make a frontline worker’s day 

🩺 If you are a frontline worker: 

• Be gentle with yourself. Notice where you are on the roadmap. That awareness alone is your first step forward. 

Burnout Is Real — But So Is Healing 

Burnout isn’t weakness — it’s a red flag. A sign that support has been missing for too long. 

Healing doesn’t require overnight transformation. It begins with awareness, small actions, and community. 

The Hurdle2Hope® Roadmap was designed to meet you where you are — and help you move through the fog, one mindset shift at a time. 

Explore Burnout Prevention and Staff Wellbeing Solutions 

If you're part of an organisation looking to support your staff, learn more about our workshops: 
👉 www.hurdle2hope.com/PD 

If you’re an individual in healthcare, disability, or aged care — let’s connect: 
💬 Message me on LinkedIn: Teisha Rose 
📧 Email: [email protected]