You know the feeling.
You’ve just had a few days off—maybe even a full week. You finally got to sleep in, eat something that wasn’t from a vending machine, and wear real pants without drawstrings.
But as the return-to-work countdown starts ticking, that pit in your stomach shows up.
The dread creeps in.
And you find yourself thinking: “Shouldn’t I feel better after time off?”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not broken.
The Problem: Post-Vacation Dread Is Common… but Often Misunderstood
Most healthcare workers assume the dread means something is wrong with them.
They tell themselves:
• “I’m just lazy.”
• “If I were a better nurse, I’d be excited to go back.”
• “Maybe I’m burned out again.”
But often, it’s not burnout—it’s disconnection.
Many nurses are feeling overwhelmed after time off—not because they don’t care, but because they’ve lost touch with the parts of the job that once gave them meaning.
Time off gives you a glimpse of what it feels like to be rested, free, and in charge of your own time. When you go back, you’re re-entering a system that often feels rushed, rigid, and reactive.
It’s not about not caring.
It’s about not having time or space to reconnect with why you care.
The Solution: Reconnect With What You Do Like About Your Job
If you’re trying to figure out how to stop dreading going back to work, it starts with understanding what’s really bothering you.
Instead of treating the dread like a red flag that you need to leave your job, try seeing it as a clue.
It’s pointing to something that needs a little attention—not a total overhaul.
If you want to enjoy nursing again, you don’t necessarily need a new job—you need a new way of experiencing the one you have.
The Process: 3 Steps to Shift the Post-Vacation Dread
1. Name What You’re Actually Dreading
It’s easy to lump everything together as “Ugh…work,” but getting specific helps. Ask yourself:
• Am I dreading a particular person or situation?
• Is it the schedule, the pace, or the emotional load?
• Do I feel behind or out of control?
When you name the real trigger, you can address it more clearly.
Often, it’s one part of your job—not the whole thing—that’s making you dread going back.
Recognizing the difference between healthcare burnout vs. boredom can also be huge. Sometimes, it’s not exhaustion—it’s a lack of growth, stimulation, or meaning.
2. Plan One Thing That Grounds You
Think of one simple thing that helps you feel like you at work:
• A hot cup of coffee in the break room before the shift starts.
• A minute alone in your car to set an intention.
• Playing your favorite playlist on the drive in.
These little rituals help you feel more in control of how you return to work after time off.
It’s one of the best ways to feel better returning to work—without needing a full career makeover.
3. Look for Proof You Actually Like Your Job
Start collecting “evidence” that your job still matters to you.
That you’re good at it. That it makes a difference.
Think:
• A patient who smiled and said thank you.
• A moment of teamwork with your crew.
• A time you caught something important or advocated well.
If you’re trying to reconnect with your nursing job, you have to look for the good on purpose.
You don’t have to love every moment, but it helps to notice the ones you do.
The Results: You Return Recharged and Reconnected
When you walk back in with clarity and intention, something shifts.
Instead of feeling thrown back into the chaos, you feel more grounded—because you know what matters to you.
Post-vacation dread for nurses isn’t a sign that you’re lazy or broken.
It’s a reminder to pay attention to how you’re working, not just that you’re working.
You don’t need to escape your job to enjoy it again.
You just need tools and support to shift how you experience it.
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Want help doing this consistently?
That’s what I coach nurses and healthcare workers to do every day.
If you’re ready to feel better without switching jobs, let’s talk.
Book a free consultation HERE to see how coaching can help you love where you are—and design what’s next.
Reminder: as part of the benefits offered at Logan Health, employees get free coaching sessions. You can book a coaching session here.