Burned out!! Help

[Trixie01]

Hi! I am new to this site, and I am relieved and exited to have found support here. It helps me to read others situations and problems in this complex world of nursing. My dilemma is probably not so unusual but I need help deciding what to do next. My first year out of school I worked med-surg, I'm glad I did because it taught me alot, but I just couldn't hang. It was tough. After making a somewhat frightening med error, which my charge nurse made along side me - I decided it was just not a good fit for me. I then decided to go work with a younger population over at a mental health facility (thinking it would be much less acuity and I like kids, plus I have a BA in psych - why not try it?)

Well, after almost a year now, it is another job I can definitely live without. The restraint situations are scary, constant shortage of staff, and basically the RN on duty manages all the psych techs, some of which are horrible to work with! They resent the Rns because they think we make all this big money, they constantly argue about who is doing this or that, and alot of the personalities are just not meant to be working with sick kids. Management turns a blind eye to everything, and says we should work out this stuff among ourselves?? Which I tried. One particular psych tech did not like me and was constantly criticizing me, accusing me of stuff, and gossiping about me to both staff and patients! I finally went and talked with her, and she denied all of it, and said I take things to personally. I went to my manager and she basically said thats just the way she is, don't worry about it! I know they are desparate for staff, but this is why nurses leave. I did not take the job to be harassed, overworked, underpaid, and ignored - without any support - I hate trying to manage the head games on the unit - its sick the way people there treat one another. They are constantly talking about each other, being mean and unprofessional!

Anyway, my question is has anyone else dealt with this sort of thing? I am eligible to transfer in 3 weeks and I am counting down the days. I already told my manager. now where? I am thinking about a doctors office part time. I want to continue to work as a nurse, but this is scaring me- 2 jobs so far that were horrible! My manager is even trying to keep me there by saying I have a "write up" - which it is not. It was a individual performance plan.... things to work on, etc... HR already said a performance recommendation is not a disciplinary action. I have already decided if they try and pull any crap on me I am giving my 2 week notice. I am depressed and losing faith. Is anyone out there happy as a nurse?? Please tell me where you work, and what questions to ask in an interview to get the REAL job description....Thanks to all and god bless.

[Brita01]

Originally posted by Edward,IL

I left the hospital 12 years ago and never looked back.

The ENVIRONMENT is everything.

Private duty in the home is a wonderful environment for the patient and the nurse.

1) Nurse to patient ratio is always 1 to 1.

2) The families are generally supportive of nurses and very helpful.

3) If an emergency does arise, there aren't alot of idiots around to get in your way.

4) Doing an 8 or 12 hour shift in a person's home is NEVER as physically exhausting as what you are doing now. Sometimes, you may be asked to work overtime or even a double-shift. It is never very difficult to stay and work an extra shift- you already know the patient, have most of the work done.

5) Start slow. If you choose to work for an agency, work part-time, perhaps with two agencies. Get oriented to a couple of cases and fill in as you can. On most cases there is some turnover and extra hours on your preferred days are usually not too far in the future. Don't be afraid of ventilator patient's in the home. Get on a case that is already staffed with an experienced nurse and between the patient's family and the other nurses you will learn everything about home vents within a few weeks. The vents used in home care are very low maintenence

6) Taking patients privately requires some paperwork and seeing an attorney and accountant to get yourself set up as a sole proprietor, but is usually worth the effort in the long run.

A couple of good sources to make the transition are:

James Huffmann R.N., Dare to Be Free (check the local library for this book, check out his website)

National Association of Independent Nurses.com. The annual membership is around $85.00 and the member forum is realy helpful with questions you will have along the way.

I hope this helps.

Edward, IL

I totally agree. I'll also add that the mental stress, for me, is about 0%, whereas the mental stress of working med/surg or telemetry is 98% (bathroom breaks take away 2%). Private duty is the only nursing job I've had where I actually look forward to going in to work. When I have to go in to the hospital for my one shift a week, I dread it everytime.