Academic burnout is a reaction to the stress, frustration, and anxiety that occurs from prolonged academic struggles. The exhaustion, lack of sleep, motivation, creativity, and confidence all lead to mental, emotional, and physical tolls on ones body and health. It can also lead to the development of severe mental illnesses including depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and sleep disorders.

Our mental health consultant was Juli Jose, A RN and Charge Nurse at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital, working in the medical-surgical department. In her role as a Charge Nurse, she frequently acts as a mental health consultant, offering support, guidance, and conflict resolution to her team. Juli provides emotional support to staff, counseling for patients and their families, and fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. Through her experience, Juli provided us with valuable insight into understanding academic burnout as well as how to differentiate daily stress and true burnout. By combining clinical expertise with emotional intelligence, Juli serves as a vital mental health consultant, contributing significantly to the overall well-being of the healthcare environment.