Preventing Burnout During the Field Experience and Beyond

The literature relating variables to burnout prior to 2020 is sparse, but it supports the premise that dimensions of burnout can begin manifesting during the field experience. Numerous studies have addressed the problem since 2020. New research suggests that burnout may be mitigated by the combination of initiatives by the student, the school and faculty, and the staff of the host institution. Students need to increase their knowledge and application of self-care strategies and resources. Schools and faculty need to support the field experience students and faculty by including self-care and coping strategies in the curriculum. Host sites need to implement organizational initiatives that have been proven effective in business to support effective field experiences. All of those populations need preparedness plans to avoid burnout in public disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Proactively preventing burnout in the field experience can benefit the profession and everyone impacted by it.