Suffering burnout already in Oncology?

[AmyRN1227]

Hi all,

I've been a nurse for almost two years now. I work in one hospital part time on their Oncology floor and just picked up working registry or PRN at a local hospital (we just moved and this one is closer to me) on their Oncology floor. I'm trying to switch over but don't know if I like this new place. They are kinda behind the times, but their ratios are ALOT better. Like 4-5:1 compared to 8-9:1. I guess my question is I feel like I'm burnt out as a nurse. I don't know if others go through this. I just feel like when I'm working I'm just running all nite to make sure I get things done, but not really taking care of pts like I thought I would be doing. I don't know if it's the hospital - maybe I need to go a different route like a doc's office or something outpatient or is it Oncology?? I love my cancer patients but I wonder if it's taking a toll on me. Yesterday I had a 34yr old pt whose dying from colon cancer with mets to her liver. She has a devoted husband and a 3yr old. It took everything I had to keep it together. She was just diagnosed in Nov. and now is a DNR and has a hospice consult. It's very draining. So, my question is is this just regular nursing and what everyone is feeling cause of the shortages or is it the area I'm in? Is there hope for me? I really love nursing but just feel burnt out lately.

Thanks so much! :o

Amy

[AmyRN1227]

Well from just talking to my friend on the phone, it's not a good situation with her either and she's doing home health hospice. She said there's tons of paperwork, she has a caseload of 15pts right now, and is on call eight days in a row. This sounds worse than the hospital...she has no life and her health is affected.

Don't know, but this all sounds pretty discouraging.

What other areas of nursing are more flexible? Amy

[passing thru]

Amy, I think it takes a while to get "emotionally toughened up" to the tragic consequences of some cancer patients.

When I first started nursing, I worked in a cancer hospital.

I felt exactly like you.

One day a doctor explained to me that "it is a privilege to be with these people, a privilege to assist them with their ADL, with relieving their physical pain and suffering, with being a member of the team that will prepare them for the loss of all their hopes, dreams, those they love,, and their very lives."

After that, even though I saw some horrific and unimaginable things, I thanked God it wasn't me or my loved one, and I devoted myself to doing the best I could do to help them endure and cope.

I read the book, Death & Dying. Must have bought 50 copies in my nursing life & gave them to family members, but most of all, utilized it in my journey as a "member of the team."

We are not responsible for the trauma and pain they will experience, but as caring people who nurse them to achieve their best each day, we can help them immeasurably.

They depend on us. They know most of their friends and family don't know what to do or say, don't understand the impact of the surgeries or medications on the patient. ....so, they lean on us for help.

Just try it with the focus on knowing that everything you do is helping your patient cope.

[passing thru]

Amy, I think it takes a while to get "emotionally toughened up" to the tragic consequences of some cancer patients.

When I first started nursing, I worked in a cancer hospital.

I felt exactly like you.

One day a doctor explained to me that "it is a privilege to be with these people, a privilege to assist them with their ADL, with relieving their physical pain and suffering, with being a member of the team that will prepare them for the loss of all their hopes, dreams, those they love,, and their very lives."

After that, even though I saw some horrific and unimaginable things, I thanked God it wasn't me or my loved one, and I devoted myself to doing the best I could do to help them endure and cope.

I read the book, Death & Dying. Must have bought 50 copies in my nursing life & gave them to family members, but most of all, utilized it in my journey as a "member of the team."

We are not responsible for the trauma and pain they will experience, but as caring people who nurse them to achieve their best each day, we can help them immeasurably.

They depend on us. They know most of their friends and family don't know what to do or say, don't understand the impact of the surgeries or medications on the patient. ....so, they lean on us for help.

Just try it with the focus on knowing that everything you do is helping your patient cope.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

YEp lots of paperwork and on call in home health and hospice.

renerian

[renerian, BSN, RN]

YEp lots of paperwork and on call in home health and hospice.

renerian

[shelleybelle]

Amy... maybe you need to reevaluate. I mean I understand the paycut w/the dr's office, but can you really put a price on your sanity & wellbeing? Building/Buying a house is a great goal to have, but not if you're a basket case doing it.... so what if a job change (and decrease in stress) sets you back a little bit... sounds like to me you may benefit from the change... GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

[shelleybelle]

Amy... maybe you need to reevaluate. I mean I understand the paycut w/the dr's office, but can you really put a price on your sanity & wellbeing? Building/Buying a house is a great goal to have, but not if you're a basket case doing it.... so what if a job change (and decrease in stress) sets you back a little bit... sounds like to me you may benefit from the change... GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!