New grad burnt out

Nurses General Nursing

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I have only been a nurse for 4 months but I think I am completely burnt out! I work in a clinic/urgent care in a very very rural area. We do a lot and see all types of patients of every age. Through some strange twist and turns I became charge and the only RN on the unit..... I really don't have a lot of direction and I thought over time it would get easier but it hasn't and I constantly feel like I have no clue what I am doing. The providers get annoyed with me cause I don't always have an answer they like or I don't know how to fix every problem. I try to do the best I can. Really I do! The rest of the nurses on the unit are really good but ever since I became charge it has felt like chaos but the worst of it all is I am beginning to dread going to work and I wake up grumpy! I don't know how to change. Help!

Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.
no offense, but wise up, you're being used. no matter how good you may think you are, being placed "in charge" 4 months after graduation is akin to telling the intern on the floor that he's now an attending physician.

years ago, the minimum requirement in most places for anyone to be placed in charge was five years on the unit, but usually it was someone that was there at least 10 to 15 or more. as hospitals started to cut back, the charge nurse position also went the way of the dinosaur. now, a regular nurse carrying a full patient load might also be required to "cover" charge. in some places, at night, there is no one in charge. if there's a problem it goes straight to the nursing supervisor.

to the op, your nurse manager is willfully placing you into a position of responsibility that she knows is beyond your ability and expertise. it's no wonder you're being burnt out. you haven't yet had the experience under your belt to work a position like that and you're being forced to.

far from 'supporting' you, your nurse manager is actually the primary source of your problem.

i dont think it is as sinister as you are making it sound. dont forget, the op said she is in a very, very rural area. that means that they probably have a true nsg shortage. she is probably one of the few full timers and is smart, so is the natural choice for a charge nurse. to the op, i think you are just a victim of circumstance. i dont think they are deliberately using you but this will continue if you let it. the upside is, i dont think they are in a position to fire you if you refuse to be charge. just call a meeting with your medical director and supervisor and tell them that you cannot do this anymore because it is stressing you out and is not fair to you or your patients or the other staff. find the next likely candidate for the position and ask for them to be put in charge. by involving the medical director or head attending, you will go over your supervisors head. she may be afraid to make the call. let us know how it goes.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thanks Meluhn

I do think it is mostly circumstance and it is hard to get permanent nurses out here. I think the correct term they use here is "Bush" nursing. I like it here I just wish I had more experience with direct pt care before getting myself into this position (-: After talking with my supervisor yesterday they are in the process of hiring someone but they may not be here till Feb. Ever watch Northern Exposure? Its kinda like that but way more rural and a larger clinic.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

i'll take a different reply. As a new nurse, you don't have the experiences with disease process, teaching and lack of compliance to fit in your new shoes.

Of course you're out of your element, you see mult-system issues with no knowelege base to go on. You're NEW!!!!! So they either are going to take you hand and hand and help you work through this, or you'd better start reading up on these diseases, treatments, meds and what not asap!

Being new, you expect an orientation to prepare you to succeed, this is not the case. You are required to spend time at home learning, researching and preparing for your current position to optimize patient care. In nursing, we continue our education through constant reading and research. I've pointed you in the right direction for what ever path you choose, choose wisely and take my advice.

You are simply a novice, which is what you are, and off orientation, there are expectations for you to prepare, provide and deliver. This is true, no matter what course you choose in nursing, learning did not stop at the boards, it never stops. You can do this!

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Sorry you are so burnt out! I say you revert back to an un-charge nurse .

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

I did figure out early on that learning never stops (-: I even shipped all my books out with me. I plan on reverting back to an un-charge nurse and hopefully soon! I have the rest of my life as a nurse to be charge and I am in no hurry! Thanks everyone!

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Agree with most pp, but would just like to add that it's also your license on the line when you accept a position you're not ready/qualified for. Believe me, they will not back you up.

You're plan is a good one, step down from charge and do it quickly (your manager can take over!!!!) It sounds like they're hardly in a position to let you go, so they'll agree.

Best of luck to you!

DeLana

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I think if you feel burn out and you don't feel right you should talk to your manger on how you are feeling and I am sure they want to provide a comfortable working enviorment. Don't feel like you have to deal with your problem on your own express your feelings. Good luck!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

I am overjoyed to say that I am no longer charge!

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
no offense, but wise up, you're being used. no matter how good you may think you are, being placed "in charge" 4 months after graduation is akin to telling the intern on the floor that he's now an attending physician.

to the op, your nurse manager is willfully placing you into a position of responsibility that she knows is beyond your ability and expertise. it's no wonder you're being burnt out. you haven't yet had the experience under your belt to work a position like that and you're being forced to.

far from 'supporting' you, your nurse manager is actually the primary source of your problem.

i totally agree. i would be burnt out too if i was a charge nurse with only 4 months experience. i'm sure you are a nice person and a diligent nurse, but you don't have nearly enough practice as a nurse to do this job well. what in the heck were they thinking? it takes an experienced nurse at least 6 months to get acclimated to a new job. and most graduate nurses take a whole lot longer than that, due to their inexperience and lack of "nursing judgement." that is not a bad reflection on you--it's just the way it is. they shouldn't expect you to be anything but what you are--a new nurse who is still learning how to be a nurse. you're not ready to be in charge of anybody. :twocents: i think yo would be much happier and less stressed out if you took a position where you could be mentored for a year.

i once worked in a rural hospital where the don was a recent graduate of a 2yr nursing program. she graduated teh year before i did. :eek: and she had never worked anywhere by this little rural 30-bed hospital. she didn't know what she didn't know. it was a disaster. i was put in charge on the night shift. i had a bunch of cnas who had been there 10 years or more, and trying to get them to get off their butts and work was almost impossible. the don knew about it, but she was thoroughly intimidated by these people. i would never never put myself in that position again, but i was a young nurse without much experience. i thought i could do it. :uhoh3:

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