Casualties: Nurses struggling with burnout

[Xbox Live Addict]

I'd like to start a new thread aimed at those of us who are struggling with "compassion fatigue", also known as burnout.

This is for nurses who are struggling at every level of burnout....

....those feel trapped in your current specialty but still wish to try other things in nursing...

...those work in a nightmarish facility where they feel you cannot possibly give the best care they know, due to toxic co-workers or management....

...or those whose nursing-related stress is so great that it is making them physically ill, and they want to leave nursing altogether.

This is a thread for burnouts to vent, or to offer one another words of encouragement. Those who have developed effective coping skills for burnout are welcome too. I'd also like to hear from those who have successfully transitioned - either to an area of nursing where they have finally found "home" after years of hell, or to those who have left nursing and have moved on with their lives.

If you are a student or a brand-new nurse, this thread may not be for you - you are likely to hear about the worst of the worst horror stories, and my intent is not to discourage anyone from pursuing nursing if that is what they truly want.

I would also ask that members not be judgmental about burnouts - please do not make comments about how nurses who burn out are lacking in compassion, were incompetent, or were Martyr Marys or doormats, which are some responses I've seen to complaints of burnout. Also, please do not make such unkind remarks as "do us a favor and leave the profession," or similar sentiments. Many nurses struggling with burnout are already feeling an overwhelming sense of failure and guilt.

And, as always, no medical or legal advice, per Terms of Service, and be sure to observe ethical and legal privacy considerations.

[Xbox Live Addict]

I know a nurse who refuses to use the term "burn out". She says that management uses that as an excuse to continue unworkable situations that causes frustration amongst nurses. Kinda like blaming the victim for the problem.

"You're just burned out". It's perfect - administration can appear sympathetic while not changing anything that causes bad situations in the first place. After all it isn't management's problem ... it's your fault.

"You're just burned out".

cheers,

Thank you, Roy. Shifting the blame onto the victim - a classic way in which abusers maintain emotional control over their victims.

Yes, and there is always plenty of new nurses to replace the burnouts, so that further relieves Management of any need to change the working environment to improve morale among their nursing staff.

"Compassion fatigue" is a euphemistic term for burnout, and all things considered, it may be a more accurate one. Many people burn out because they care, but the facility environment, due to poor staffing, lack of supplies, unsafe conditions, and emphasis on customer service rather than quality of care (and come on, isn't your "customer" better served if they have adequate nursing staff to ensure their safety?) makes them feel helpless, frustrated, and angry. If these feelings continue unabated, a person just runs short on emotional resources for others. I've been there multiple times over the years.

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

I know a nurse who refuses to use the term "burn out". She says that management uses that as an excuse to continue unworkable situations that causes frustration amongst nurses. Kinda like blaming the victim for the problem.

"You're just burned out". It's perfect - administration can appear sympathetic while not changing anything that causes bad situations in the first place. After all it isn't management's problem ... it's your fault.

"You're just burned out".

cheers,

This tactic is Standard Procedure where I work.

I cannot do the jobs of two nurses. The people I work for know this, but they don't care.

Maybe they will start caring, when I submit my resignation.