Burnt out after 7mths

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi I'm a new RN that was one of the few to get a job right after I finished my NCLex with some luck due to someone I knew. I'm now 7months at. Hospital in medsurg and I'm absolutely burnt out already. I feel so miserable and I'm having anxiety issues. I was thinking about leaving my job but I'm afraid I won't find anything else or they would ask about my

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

What do you do? You learn a lot about stress management techniques. Are you eating well? Exercising regularly? Getting some healthy social activity on your days off? Have you taken sufficient vacation time? etc. There is a whole body of literature on work/life balance and taking care of yourself. Become an expert in it. Be sure you are following the recommendations.

How are your relationships with your co-workers? Have you made friends at work? Is there at least 1 person at work that you could share some of this with? Such a person might help you put some of the sources of your stress into perspective.

Have you talked to nurses that are just a little further along the career path than you? It is common for people at your stage to feel as you do. Talking with people with 1-2 years of experience who successfully navigated this phase might help you a lot -- and help you see the proverbial light at the end of the new-grad tunnel.

I suspect others will post some additional suggestions. Good luck!

iPink, BSN, RN

1,414 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

That burn-out feeling is normal especially in your first year on Med/surg. It's going to be tough but it'll allow you to see multi-system problems to give you critical and time management skills that will allow you to thrive anywhere. I didn't start on Med-surg, but on a ICU step-down unit so I understand the feeling of the "burn". You are 7 months in and so close to making your 1 year. If you leave now, potential employers won't look your way because they want to see your commitment to that year.

What to do? Stay put! I did exactly that when I wanted to quickly jump ship from my unit. I stuck it out a year and was able to transfer to a different unit where I'm much more happier.

Your first year will be your toughest year. Speak to those nurses with 25+ experience and they can share with you their experience in their first year; you just don't forget it. Hang in there. Think about the unit you most want to be in and work towards getting there.

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