Finding Bliss after Burnout

Do you wake up and have the same internal debate about exercise, then hit the end of a long day and face the “what’s for dinner?” question with a fried brain? In this episode, Michelle shares how she stopped negotiating with herself by making decisions in advance and putting simple systems in place. Drawing on her experience of nurse burnout, she explains why reducing daily decision-making frees up energy and brain space for what actually matters.
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What if leaving the bedside doesn’t mean leaving nursing? 
So many nurses stay in roles that are draining them because they believe their only options are to push through or leave the profession completely.
But there’s an entire world of nursing careers most of us were never told about.
In this episode of Finding Bliss After Burnout, I’m joined by Beth Montano, RN of 15 years and founder of Autonomic Nurse, who helps nurses transition into non-clinical careers with clarity and confidence.
We talk about the limiting beliefs that keep nurses stuck, why our identity can become so intertwined with being a nurse, the transferable skills nurses often underestimate, and the non-traditional career opportunities available beyond the bedside.
Most importantly, we challenge the belief that choosing something different means you've failed.
Your nursing experience isn't wasted because you choose a different path. It might just be the thing that opens the door to your next one.
If you’re burnt out, questioning nursing, or quietly wondering “What else could I actually do?”—this episode is for you.

Have you ever looked at the nurse next to you, who seems to work shift after shift without flagging, and wondered why you feel completely wiped out? In this episode, Michelle shares how discovering she is a Manifestor in Human Design gave her permission to stop fighting her energy and start building a career and life around it.
She also announces the launch of her free Human Design Calculator for Nurses, along with free guides and a Human Design playbook created specifically for nurses.
In this episode
Why Michelle spent years comparing herself to other nurses and carrying guilt and shame about her energy
A quick overview of Human Design and how a chart is calculated (date, time and place of birth)
What it means to be a Manifestor: big bursts of initiating and creating, followed by a real need for rest and solitude
A real-time example from a huge filming day, and how Michelle honoured her energy dip by handing over the afternoon
A brief look at the five energy types: Manifestors, Generators, Manifesting Generators, Projectors and Reflectors
How energy type can shape the nursing roles that suit you, from variety and movement to autonomy, mentoring or predictable routines
Michelle's own shift from 27 years in critical care to casual occupational health and safety nursing
Why struggling doesn't mean you're a bad nurse, and doesn't mean you have to leave nursing
Options for doing nursing differently: changing hours, specialty or environment, skipping overtime, going casual or pool nursing, or moving into leadership
Key takeaways
There is nothing wrong with you if you can't keep up constant output.
You don't have to leave nursing to feel better. You may just need to do it differently.
Understanding how your energy works lets you choose roles and routines that support it.
Curiosity beats self-criticism.
Mentioned in this episode
Free Human Design Calculator for Nurses: www.thehealthyhappynurse.com/human-design
Human Design Playbook for Nurses (details sent after you use the calculator)
Connect with Michelle
Once you've found your type, message Michelle on Instagram at @thehealthyhappynurse and tell her what you are.

Melissa is the founder of Leading Rein, a leadership facilitator, coach and the 2023 Tasmanian winner of the Agri Futures Rural Women’s Award for her innovative and professional development framework Leading Rein. 
https://www.instagram.com/leadingrein/
https://www.leadingrein.com.au/

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