Burned out already

Nurses General Nursing

Published

It's been a year. And I'm already burned out. Is it wrong of me to think of switching to part-time??

Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I'm a career changer...Always wanted to be a nurse, but I started to regret that decision a few months in when "reality" hit. God just happened to place certain patients in my life who knew I was a newbie and would tell me I'm going to be a great nurse. Many of them were sad my shift was over because they appreciated the care I provided. Because I was always falling behind when I spent some time talking with my patients at the bedside, I had to limit those quality interactions with them just so I could keep up with the million other tasks I had to accomplish. I had finally realized it's not the profession I don't enjoy, it's that reality of bedside/hospital environment that I don't enjoy. I have a passion to work in the community, so I'm sticking it out for now until an open position becomes available. Obviously, going into PH is not about the money. Maybe you need to find your niche? Good luck to you!

If you can financially work part time, do it.

All I have time for is handing out meds. I don't even have time to sit down and actually have a conversation with my patients. In fact my co-workers were talking about the exact same thing. At least I don't feel alone about it. It's not compassion fatigue. I'm literally running around trying to do everything I have to do, and new orders keep constantly popping up. It's way too much to do. It feels impossible... like 12 hours is not nearly enough. By the time I come home (and on my off-days), I'm too physically and mentally exhausted to do anything. And then I have to do it all over again. It's overwhelming. It makes me feel depressed.[/quote']

It sounds like you need a different job, not a different profession. Try to get into an ICU, an ICU Fellowship (if offered in your hospital/area), or specialty of interest to stimulate your brain. Handing out meds is as mundane as it gets.

Sounds like many of you need a specialty change. I thought I hated floor nursing too until I started working in post partum with amazing co-workers. I love my job! Most days are great and even the bad ones are doable. We have amazing team work!

I'm still in school and the books make it sound like we have the time to do everything with compassion, plenty of time to cover all aspects, etc. My wife is a nurse so I know better. Kind of sad.

Yep, I feel the exact same way on my floor. I sometimes wonder how I could not get everything done in 12 hours, but it happens all the time. I assume you work on the floor? I actually really enjoy talking to patients, but I just can't do it the majority of the time. I think I've determined that the floor isn't for me!

I'm about to start another job at another floor in the other hospital in town, part time. Eventually, I wish to reduce my current full time job to part time or PRN. Right now, it'll be awkward, because I just started at this current job and my boss would be miffed if I asked for part time soon. So I just have to do this delicate dance until I work at my current job long enough, and then ask later. I really want to reduce sooner because it's at-will, theoretically for me and my employer. Yet, the unspoken rule is I have to fulfill some vague obligation before I ask to reduce to part time. I hate that I have to follow that "rule" yet my employer can let me go at ANY time.

I am burnt out, and I want out. I am learning a lot about nursing that I didn't learn in school, and I appreciate that. I can learn as much if not more part time, I don't have to work full time.

+ Add a Comment