[Angelangie]

Hi there fellow nurses of the world!

Firstly I want to say, DONT GIVE UP! EVER.
Their is an area of nursing for all of us, you just need to put yourself out their and find it!

Oh dear, Molly01......I know how you feel. I have too have been down the burned out, low income stage, low esteem etc... its a real downer right?

My advice is to take control of this situation and take time out. Maybe a change of career for little while.
I did and I loved it, customer services and selling for 6 mths. Would you believe us nurses are excellent at selling as we sell everyday whether you are aware of or or not (work it out) I topped the site in selling, I thought that was me. But it was only the start of my very rewarding nursing career because I felt empty in this job! I then began to appreciate my qualifiations.
After a few years of being back at nursing, and reading many self help books, leaving my drag of an unsupportive husband whom was energy draining (I am not saying leave your man by all means) and investing time in me and my career I have finally found an area of nursing where my passion lies..... teaching new graduates and other nurses. I could not ask for a more rewarding role. I get to teach others what I love to do.

My friends I could not express this any more than I can to you.
Believe in yourself, love yourself- and truly believe that you are the best at what you do.
We have the most repectful job in the world!
es I do beleive that because we focus on people, not the illness, not the medicene, the person.

It takes a truely gifted person to do what we do.
look after yourself, and open your mind to what could be your most rewarding career of your life.

PS thank you for all your inspirations!!

[cheerfuldoer]

Originally Posted by molly01

Thank you for the topic.
I am in burn out mode at this time. Recently I resigned from my place of employment. I worked there for over ten years. My last two performance evaluations were so low and it looked like my last one was going to be as well. My self esteem is so low. I am living on my husbands social security and pension as well as some savings. I feel so dependent. The job I had is now being offerred at a lower salary than I was making. It was a horrible experience. On my performance evaluation things were written that were not true as well as taking out of context. I was told that I
if it were not that I was a long time employee I would have been fired a long time ago. I was told that I make poor nursing judgements and that I have poor decisions making skills.
I did not know how to please my last supervisor. I had my counselor read my performance evaluation and she came to the same conclusion that I did. I could not find a way to please my supervisor. For instance, she did not want me to ask questions but when I made decisions on my own I was reprimanded. I have to go back to work to take care of myself but I am afraid.
Thank you for listening.

Molly - I liked the advice and encouragement Angelangie gave to you in her post. I was out of nursing a few years or more before returning to it. While out, I worked "other jobs", and found myself still being "the nurse" even at other odd jobs. Nursing is infectious when nursing is your calling. It is my calling. If it weren't, I would have been able to put it down, and stay away when I was not working as a nurse. I am back in nursing now, and know that it is what I am supposed to be doing. I have signed up with a university to return to school, but I'm also checking into schools that are online so I can have more flexibility with working and taking classes as I am lone supporter of myself, and MUST work full time. Do yourself a favor by embracing the opportunity afforded you by being able to venture out into something different for a time. You'll be surprised what you learn about yourself during that break...like how much stronger you are than you give yourself credit for, and how you will come to value a part of you that you've lost touch with. I am thankful for the time out of nursing...even out of work during that time...because I have learned so much about me...about my strengths and weaknesses, and that I really can do more than nursing if I had to...and do it well at that. Sometimes what others do against us to hurt us ends up being a true blessing. Trust me...you will come out of this much stronger and richer spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Please come back and let us know all about it. PM me and share if you wish.