OTBurnout Being a travel occupational therapist (OT) or traveling occupational therapy assistant (OTA) can be exciting and rewarding career paths, but let’s not forget that taking care of you is just as important as taking care of your patients. Whether you’re looking to prevent burnout or just need a little energy boost, we’ve got some simple, yet effective strategies to help you thrive in your travel OT career.

How To Manage Burnout as a Travel OT

Recognizing the signs of health worker burnout

Burnout may not always come with a big flashing warning sign — it can slowly sneak in and creep its way into your nervous system and. Before you know it, feelings of burnout may start to impact your day-to-day in your personal and professional life.

Not sure what burnout feels like? You may be experiencing health worker burnout if you …

Feel constantly exhausted and drained
Lack motivation
Have difficulty concentrating or staying focused
Are dreading work and feeling detached
Stop prioritizing your self-care and mental health

“There’s a misconception that doing what you love means you can’t burn out,” said an occupational therapy professional on Reddit. “From what I see among therapists and health workers, they truly care about patients but can still get burnt out. However you feel about being burnt out is valid! But remember that your OT career isn’t your entire life!”

Burnout happens to the best of us, but it’s not the end of your occupational therapy journey — it’s an indicator that you could use some time to recharge and focus on your own well-being.

Strategies to prevent and manage OT burnout

Prioritize self-care and promote well-being

Prioritizing your own self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity, especially since you’re a pro at caring for others.

While self-care is often thought about as extravagant spa days, it can also be the little daily choices that keep you feeling balanced — getting enough sleep, setting boundaries, moving your body, and making time for things that bring you joy.

MentalHealthAwareness (2) “Go easy on yourself!” One travel occupational therapist said on Reddit. “What would you say to a friend? Wouldn’t you encourage them and tell them to prioritize their mental health? Find things to do that refresh you. Look back on things from your experience that made you love the occupational therapy profession.”

When you make time to take care of you, you can show up as your best self for your patients, fellow healthcare workers, and most importantly, yourself. Give yourself the same compassion you give to your patients each day and burnout doesn’t stand a chance.

Practice mindfulness

When things start to feel like too much, mindfulness can help you hit the pause button. The best part is it doesn’t have to be a sit-down meditation practice, but maybe a deep breath before you see your next patient, a moment to stretch between sessions, or the way you bring your focus back to the present moment in times of overwhelm.

You might also like: 4 Mindfulness Tips to Maintain Your Mental Health as a Med Traveler

The goal of mindfulness is to ground yourself and quiet any chaos running amok in your mind. It won’t erase your workload, but it can help you navigate it with more clarity and calmness.

Stay connected to loved ones

Few things in life bring immediate comfort like hearing the voice of or seeing a loved one, and that’s why it’s so crucial to stay connected to your support system.

StayConnected Whether through a quick text, long phone call, or weekend visit, spending time with friends and family can offer encouragement, laughter, and a fresh perspective. Leaning on your loved ones helps lighten your load, making it easier for you to manage stress and prevent burnout before it takes hold.

Find assignments that align with your lifestyle

One of the best things about being a travel OT is the ability to filter jobs based on what works for you. From craving more time for outdoor activities, a quieter location to recharge, or a bustling city to explore, choosing assignments that match your lifestyle can keep things exciting and fulfilling.

When your career supports the life you want to lead (vs the other way around), it’s easier to maintain a sense of balance and avoid burning out.

Frequently asked questions

How does working travel OT jobs help with burnout?

The beauty of being a traveling occupational therapy professional is that you know a fresh change of pace is just around the corner with a new assignment. New environments, new people, and new experiences can refresh your mind and keep things lively, helping you avoid burning out. A travel OT career can offer the perfect combination of stability and adventure.

What’s the right balance of patient care vs self-care?

Patient care can be demanding and it’s easy to give all your focus to your patients, but balancing patient care and self-care is all about recognizing that you can’t give your best to others if you’re not taking care of yourself. From rest to recreation, finding the work-life balance that works for you can help ward off burnout.

In what ways does Fusion Medical Staffing offer support when I feel burnt out?

We understand that burnout is real, and we’re here to lend a hand every step of the way. Whether it’s through our Clinical team offering guidance on managing challenging cases, or your personal recruiter and Traveler Experience team checking in to make sure you feel supported, we’ve got your back.

We also offer an employee assistance program (EAP) with free counseling sessions to help you navigate tough times. Plus, our health insurance options include $0 copays for mental health services, so you can see the provider of your choice and take care of your well-being. And when you need a break, our PTO ensures you can take time off to rest and recharge without financial worry.

"We want to be known in the industry as the agency that takes care of our travelers," said Dan DeVeney, vice president of Traveler Experience. "We, in the industry, have always been known for very top-level service."

Your emotional and mental health is important to us, and we’re committed to going the extra mile to help you thrive in both your career and personal life.

Your career as a traveling occupational therapy professional should be just as rewarding for you as it is for your patients. The first step in preventing burnout is recognizing the signs, and from there, it’s all about taking care of yourself — through self-care, mindfulness, connection, and choosing travel OT jobs that align with your needs.

The good news? You’re never alone in your journey. With our support teams, mental health benefits, perks, and programs, you have the resources to recharge and keep doing what you love.