Maybe it's just me?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.

I don't know how much more of this I can take...I feel like I'm the problem, that I'm just not capable of being a Nurse and doing this job. I can't handle the fast pace, the dysfunctional families, the huge responsibility, the massive amount of charting and documentation. I've been a nurse for three years and have changed jobs 4 times. I thought OB would be a better fit - I'd wanted to do this for as long as I can remember - but it's a high risk center and I spend more time dealing with machines and computer charting documenting to CYA than caring for patients. I've been working here 7 months and am barely off orientation. We are so short staffed on night shift it's scary. Some nights we have had only 2 nurses working in OB. Yesterday I worked postpartum and had eight patients and 3 post surgeries. I'm scheduled just about every evening or night shift and I keep getting called in extra. I'm tired of feeling scared at work, sick to my stomach and having panic attacks. I'm just so so tired. Thank you for listening.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OBSTERTICS-POSTPARTUM,L/D AND HIGH-RISK.

I am so sorry that you are having such a rough time with your OB department. I have been an OB nurse for over 27 yrs. I think the thing that keeps me going is that we make a difference in the new family unit. Either it be helping that person to deal with their High Risk pregnancy,helping them to give birth to their new little one or helping them with latching on with breast feeding. I know that the paper work is overwhelming at times(we don't go to computer charting until May). And physically it's exhausting at times. But I wouldn't be any other kind of nurse. I hope the staffing gets better and your schedule changes. Eventually, you will become more self confident.(that first year is always the hardest).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MPCU.

I'm sure you've considered that you may benefit from a depression screening. Three years and still no job satisfaction could be a symptom and not a "bad fit."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

My situation was different in that I suffered from burnout after 23 years of hospital nursing. I took periodic breaks from hospital nursing doing private duty. (I would switch to PRN at the hospital and work the bare minimum) It was wonderful, downright boring, but the quiet was music to my ears and brain. After 6 months or so I would get bored and go back to the hospital. I did that maybe 3 times total in 23 years. It worked wonders for me. 5 months ago I realized I'm getting too old for hospital work. I'm now doing HH and loving it. It has it's challenges too but nothing like working the floor and my paychecks have never been bigger. I put 146 miles in last Tuesday, my 8 hour day included almost 4 hours of driving time but the weather was awesome, the scenery on the back roads was awesome, I had "think" time, cell phone time with old friends, time to listen to CD's and getting paid all the while. Just something to consider. I've been taking senior BSN students along on Mondays. This one particular student absolutely can't wait to do home health. My normal days are 30-50 miles driving time. I occasionally have to help out the rural office. I really don't mind it at all.

Once I was driving along and saw "Welcome to Kentucky". I got paid for being lost. Back at the office I found out that while helping the rural office, I wasn't the only one to ever end up in Kentucky. Just about everyone has.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

Learn ow to say "no" when they call you to come in extra. Better yet, invest the few extra $$ for caller ID and just don't take the call. You are under no obligation to work extra. You are a nurse, not an indentured servant. If you don't do this now, you will lose your health and your sanity. You will be of no good to yourself and your patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I too feel burnt out. The constant rush, loads of documentation, and unreasonible workload have taken a major toll on my emotional and physical well-being. I do not agree with the person who advised you to consider that your job dissatisfaction is a "symptom" of a mental ailment! The working conditions in nursing are very difficult to say the least. I think that it is a fundamental need for any human being to feel effective and valued. I often feel like I am ineffective b/c the demand to do "everything" NOW is unrealistic. It is dangerous to barely be getting the critical assessments and cares accomplished for each patient!

I have been a nurse for two years, and I just took a new position. I am not happy in it either. i work all pm shifts and I keep getting scheduled to work 6 out of 7 days a week. How old are you? Have you considered other career options? I am going to look into a graduate degree in nutrition or persue holistic nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MPCU.
I do not agree with the person who advised you to consider that your job dissatisfaction is a "symptom" of a mental ailment! .

I still advocate taking first steps first. No harm checking out the obvious before condemning nursing. Then you'd do well to find other opportunities, for example working in public health education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Big hugs lannisz.

You picked a really high stress specialty. Have you considered hospice, school nurse, occupational health, psych? How about being a nurse on a cruise ship?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Would a school nurse or occupational health nurse be expected to do any more than basic first aid/cpr/call 911 if there were a medical emergency on their watch? Wouldn't it also be stressful to be the only health personnel on hand if there is a medical emergency?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, OR, postpartum, pedi, OBGYN clinic.

There are soooo many things you can do with a nursing degree without ever having to step foot in a hospital. I like the idea of cruise ship nurse...:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU;CCU;Telemetry;L&D;Hospice;ER/Trauma;.

No....it's not all in your head....

I just hate that...

Just reading your post made me tired.

Who wouldn't be depressed working everyday at that pace...and with that kind of load??? DUH!

Can you go part time for awhile?

Or can you consider other areas of nursing? Can you research other areas of nursing that interest you, or maybe working with nurse midwives....just some ideas..

Don't throw in the towel.....just change towels!

There has got to be a solution that works just for you....

More than ever, we need a nurse mentor-mate program....where any one of us can go, with any issue, and talk it out and find solutions....

Sometimes, when I am up against the wall about something, I sit down and write out my goals...what I really really want...(at the time)....then I set it aside....and I take steps to that end...then I go back to my original writing...and review it...alter what needs altering...and set new goals with new steps....always keeping the ultimate in my sights...

Could this, perhaps, be of help to you?

Take care...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment