Burned out from floor nursing, need advice, please..

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been an RN since 2009 so I'm going on three years and I feel as though I might want out of healthcare altogether.. My initial desire when I went into nursing was to be able to be a servant to others and to show Christ to all those that I was to come in contact with. I made it through a BSN program and I feel as though clinicals did not give me a good picture of what nursing was all about. For example, the max amount of patients I was given was one and the patients were relatively all 'easy' looking back in hindsight.

There were definitely some red flags as I went through nursing school however, so I can't completely blame the lack of experience from clinicals.

To give some background, I have worked on a surgical unit and then for the past year I have worked on a medical unit that also cares for stroke and cancer patients, both of these being in a busy hospital setting. I have only worked the night shift to this point, as I would not be able to handle the stress of working days with all the many discharges, admissions, doctors and families running around as well. I have come to the conclusion that I may just not be cut out for nursing. I get incredibly stressed before each shift, and the unpredictability I fear may send me to an early grave. I have learned alot about myself from nursing, and I dream of a job/career that is predictable where I don't have to fear what kind of assignment I will be given as I'm driving to the job site.

Working nights has also taken a toll on me and my relationship with my wife. All my friends and family members keep asking when I plan on moving to the day shift and I feel my ego is keeping me from telling them I will never be able to do the day shift working as a nurse because I just can't handle the stress... Thankfully my wife supports me and she agrees that I need to look for a different job. On the floor I work now we take 6-7 patients a night which I feel is completely unsafe as some of them are so incredibly sick and needy. Some friends have recommended doing critical care or working in a clinic. I know I would not be able to handle the stress of doing ICU nursing with those type of patients. Also, I have never seen male nurses working in any clinic that I have been to.

I need some ideas, please. It's gotten so bad that I'm to the point of driving home from work and I see some guy mowing for a lawn service and I am envious of his job.

First off I'd like to say thank you for the many positive posts that so many made in relation to the opportunities available in nursing. After reading what you all had to say I am now hopeful about continuing my nursing career rather than abandoning it altogether. I'm not entirely sure what I plan on looking into at the moment but I'm considering possibly dialysis or something along the lines of non-clinical.

A few of the comments made almost seemed personal, if not hostile due to the fact that I mentioned wanting to minister to my patients. In no way do I "push" my religion onto any of my patients. By ministering to them, I meant showing Christ to everyone I take care of by my actions, how I choose to listen to their concerns and treat them with love. In no way did I mean quoting scripture or trying to convert anyone. I always told myself I never wanted to feel as though all I'm doing is collecting a paycheck at the end of the day. However, with floor nursing I feel as though I just don't have time to go the extra mile for my patients like I want to. Hopefully that makes sense. Please continue to offer your suggestions if you have the time.

"i never see a christian telling an athiest to shut-up, and just do your job."

in my experience, that would be because the atheist is not a proselytizer, and some (some) christians are.

and yes, we do minister to the spiritual needs of our patients-- but it's by facilitating help for their spiritual needs, not for ours. the simple question at admission, "do you have any spiritual beliefs you would like us to be aware of?" communicates that we are interested in that aspect of the patient's life, and will not ignore it.

returning to the op's question, i reiterate my earlier "parish nursing?" try this website http://www.parishnurses.org/startingaparishnurseprogram_222.aspx and see if it appeals to you and what you want to do. also, part of hospice is pastoral care-- it's a required element (for the people who want it), and perhaps that would be a good mix of skills and aptitudes. i think you have to be a real member of the clergy for it, but i don't know if a given hospice would require ordination in a recognized denomination for that. worth an ask, if it appeals to you.

I think you should try working days. Nights require you to be more independent and it seemed like 2 out of 6 my patients only slept while the others continually ring the call light. It became frustrating bc at the facilities I've worked for night shift was required to do a 24hr chart check with MARS etc and never had time to do the checks without being disturbed. Dayshift has better staffing and patients are being occupied & taken care of by more than just you... On nights you are the only one

Specializes in Longterm/Rehab and Hematology/Oncology.

excuse me...but...he says he is not able to "minister" to people. Do you have any idea what that means??? Nursing is NOT just giving meds, assessments etc...it IS ministering to them in this TIME of need!

Specializes in Longterm/Rehab and Hematology/Oncology.

EXCELLENT post! finally someone that understands that nursing is NOT just about paycheck but the WHOLE picture of healing! Thank you so much!

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

After doung ER nursing for only 4 months, there is NO WAY I could ever go back to floor nuring and I didn't even have much experience on the floor, just schooling and a few months on a Peds unit. It's just such a completely different world in the ER and I can't ever see myself anywhere else.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I struggle with the same dilemma, nights is slower, less stress and chaos, but you pay a price physically because of the obese patients and the subsequent wear and tear on your back and body! Days at least has more CNA's and support staff, but I don't think I could stand the chaos and stress! You are not alone in your struggles! PM's is ok, but it is a very isolating shift unless you hang with the young drinking crowd. I don't know what the answer is.

I would explore palliative, hospice,or a different area. Explore day shift. It may seem hectic BUT you have more help as far as CNAs and other nurses on duty and the ratio may be lower. You may not have seen a male nurse in a clinic, but why not apply? Be the first you have seen. Apply. The worst they can tell you is sorry we arent hiring. Try it.

I can totally relate to what you're saying. But if you decide to stay in the hospital, I think you'll find that ICU nursing is much less stressful than med-surg floors. Having two very sick patients is stressful in a good way. Having 5+ patients that you're running around just trying to get tasks done, is stressful in a bad way. My first 2.5 years was in med surg and I was pretty sick of it. But I can say, like you, coming from a non-healthcare previous career, the hospital is a strange beast. Having to jump from one task to the next or having to constantly switch gears or get interrupted when working on something is different from most other careers. I hope you find something you like and there is never any shame in trying a different job within nursing, or moving on to a new career altogether. I'd recommend trying a different unit or hospital first though and see if the stress continues.

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