Dreading Work Again!

Nurses General Nursing

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hello my fellow hardworking nurses. i'm just feeling *blue* and frustrated with work lately.i dread going in, as it seems like everytime i come in, it's like walking into the front gates of hell. we are usually working with a skeleton crew of staff patched together by floats, registry & stragglers from other shifts. the previous shift's charge nurse doesn't know which way is up, and the reports i get are enough to make me want to run screaming from the nurses' station. you know the routine- the typical floor nurse scenario with nonstop call-lights, isolation patients from here to the horizon, needy families lingering in doorjambs, phone ringing off the hook and orders piled to the moon and back. i am beginning to think that i need more than a vacation...i need a vacation from hospital nursing...permanently! :angryfire

thanks for letting me vent. i am not sure if i can stand it much longer (heh heh; i have said that before, but i really mean it this time). i just feel so burned out! i want a cushy job where i work regular hours (i'm sick of the variable shifts), get an uninterrupted lunch break, and all the holidays off. i want to work with kids, the elderly or animals. i do not want to be responsible for everything under the sun! i want enough resources to get the job done! just for once, i'd like to come to work without having to put out fires and soothe over a million problems.

i love my patients, but i really hate nursing right now. i already cut back my hours, and no, i'm not depressed. i love my life (when not at work that is).

i wish the solution was as simple as taking a vacation...i'm just not sure if i can continue in nursing anymore. what can a burned out rn do with herself? :crying2:

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I would also like thought of others on this situation......

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Some have suggested that retraining for circulating nurse in OR is a good switch. Anyone dispute this? Anyone agree? Do circulating nurses have similar overwhelmed feeelings/situations?

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

if you like the elderly try LTC-and you may need to look around to find the right fit.Some are H#ll holes(in this area the pretty private places are so underpayed and understaffed it is criminal) As a charge nurse on day shift I do spend time putting out fires every day but I also have days where I can really work with the cna's and the residents and look for ways to improve the resident's quality of life(now if I can just get all of the others to read the careplans and really USE them I'll be fulfilled) I work straight 7 to 3-I do work my share of holidays and weekends but I enjoy them-those days are generally quieter....You can get just as stressed in LTC as in acute care but generally it is a different kind of stress and the focus of care is completely different.....Managing the staff can be challenging...so can the families...The residents each have something to offer...they deserve the BEST.Good luck-I hope you find your niche...

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hello my fellow hardworking nurses. i'm just feeling *blue* and frustrated with work lately.i dread going in, as it seems like everytime i come in, it's like walking into the front gates of hell. we are usually working with a skeleton crew of staff patched together by floats, registry & stragglers from other shifts. the previous shift's charge nurse doesn't know which way is up, and the reports i get are enough to make me want to run screaming from the nurses' station. you know the routine- the typical floor nurse scenario with nonstop call-lights, isolation patients from here to the horizon, needy families lingering in doorjambs, phone ringing off the hook and orders piled to the moon and back. i am beginning to think that i need more than a vacation...i need a vacation from hospital nursing...permanently! :angryfire

thanks for letting me vent. i am not sure if i can stand it much longer (heh heh; i have said that before, but i really mean it this time). i just feel so burned out! i want a cushy job where i work regular hours (i'm sick of the variable shifts), get an uninterrupted lunch break, and all the holidays off. i want to work with kids, the elderly or animals. i do not want to be responsible for everything under the sun! i want enough resources to get the job done! just for once, i'd like to come to work without having to put out fires and soothe over a million problems.

i love my patients, but i really hate nursing right now. i already cut back my hours, and no, i'm not depressed. i love my life (when not at work that is).

i wish the solution was as simple as taking a vacation...i'm just not sure if i can continue in nursing anymore. what can a burned out rn do with herself? :crying2:

do you have a hmo in your commute distance? i've been working at one for over 8 yrs now- still can't believe it myself!! i too was burned out by hospital nursing many years ago- and even worked as a secretary just to get away from it....but for the same company, i've had 3 different positions in these past few years, all requiring my nursing skills- currently am working as a "clinical case manager"- and truly love it!!! got to admit i wasn't too nuts about the first 2 jobs i had here. this is rewarding in that yes, we actually help members find the care/services they need. involves educating them regarding their disease processes, treatments, etc. the best part- weekends/holidays off, and compensation close to hospital pay. (considering there's no shift differential- but, hey, who cares??) look into it! also, try a headhunter to see what else is out there! good luck!:)

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I don't think LTC is the answer....so many state regulations/stress/unrealistic requirements.....conflicts with really being able to connect with the patients.....necessitates long hours off duty to even get the job done to meet state regs....etc..........extra stress for much less pay............

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I hope things get better for you. It's tough and the burnout rate is what it is because of conditions as you desribe. Best wishes.

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How about a hospice? You get to know your patients and families really well, deal with one at a time and it's very rewarding....not for everyone but I love it and could never go back to the hospital.

Mandee

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I don't have any answers or suggestions. I just want to lend my support and hope you feel better soon.

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I've been in the OR over 5 years. Had I not come to the OR I wouldn't be a nurse now. When I graduated I started in trauma step down, it was hell on earth. I was lucky and got into the OR 7 months into my nursing career.

Overall, and I guess this would depend on where you work, I've very much enjoyed the job. Would I rather win the Powerball and not work at all, yeah, but as far as nursing goes, there's only one other job I'd really like to do, and that's teach. OR nursing is very very different from the floor or unit. There's problems, but they are totally different from the floor and aren't really patient and family based problems. They are doctor and equipment or instrument problems.

If there is a teaching hospital near you, I highly recommend you look into their OR program. It would be a delightful change from what you are doing now. I can't speak for private hospital OR's. I've heard horror stories of primadonna surgeons from private hospitals. But teaching hospitals are great and you get to take care of the young doctors, and I love that part of the job. I hope things go better for you.

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Specializes in Operating Room,, Plastic Surgery.

I totally agree OR nursing ROCKS

One patient at a time, They are ASLEEP, no family to "deal" with

Plus something different every day, and the doctors have a totally different personality....Because they like :) to operate. as opposed to making rounds etc...

Just my $.02

Marci

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I feel for you. The last 2 mos. at our hospital have been the worst I can remember in my career. The responsibilities are greater, and with less staff on top of that, the stress is getting to all of us. We run from the time we get there, until about an hour after we are SUPPOSED to clock out, and even then it seems we didn't get everything done. Hang in there. We're thinking things will slow down some now that the winter months are passed. I have honestly thought more seriously about leaving nursing these past 2 mos. than ever before. And I hate that, because I really love nursing, when allowed to do it right.

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