Hi guys, I'm a new member who joined to look for some advice from my fellow nurses. Hi!!! *waves*

So I've been a nurse for 9 years. Med surg for 5 then ICU the last 4 years. I recover open heart patients which I've always wanted to do so when I got the chance I took it.

However, I've found that I constantly feel bored out of my mind!!! Even when I'm in the middle of a busy shift I'm just counting the hours til I'm off. Don't get me wrong, I still give my all to my patients and coworkers. I don't cry or dread coming to work. But this really bothers me and I don't know how to fix it! Is this a symptom of burnout??! I've never heard of anyone else describing this feeling. What do you guys think? Anyone else felt like this?

It doesn't sound like you are burned out. You said you are bored.

Do you feel you aren't learning anything? Is it too routine?

Thanks for your response! Yes I do feel like it's gotten pretty routine. But I don't know how to fix it! Plus I've always wanted to be a heart nurse so it's like I climbed that mountain and achieved my dream. So I've got that "what do I do now??" feeling haha. I'm not sure where to go from here.

I've been expanding my education and will finally be done with my BSN at the end of this year. But I still need to work so I want a career while I pursue more education. I want to be challenged and engaged at work so ideally I would like to work in an area that gives me those things. Any suggestions? I don't think I can handle the boredom for much longer!

It sounds like you are bored with your present position and I love that you are considering your future before you are totally miserable and making everyone around you miserable also, lol. Sometimes a job we think might be appealing isn't and requires shifting gears. Maybe start looking around at other offerings? In the past I have found just the task of shopping around and applying makes me feel proactive and on more than one occasion has reminded me of the things I enjoy about my present gig. Good luck.