Symptoms of a nearly burned out nurse?

leeca · Jan 22, 2003

Why stay? You should get enjoyment out of work, not just view it as a pay packet.

l listened to what family and friends said to me about getting into nursing for about about 11 years, finally l decided not to listen and to go ahead and do it.

l have never been happier, the best thing l ever did.

Maybe you should bite the bullet and go for it.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 22, 2003

Teddybear.......get out while you can! LTC will consume you, as it did me, if you give it a chance. It is without a doubt the most back-breaking, thankless job there is in nursing, and while there are many nurses who thrive on it (and thank God for them!!), it doesn't sound like you're one of them. If you dread going to work every day, if you weep at the mere thought of doing this for the rest of your career, LTC is not your "thing" and you should get out while you have some heart and spirit left......otherwise, it will drain you dry. Life is too short to be this miserable!!

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 22, 2003

Burnout is not silly. That place is eating you up inside. Look around for places that make you smile. If it floats your boat...take a sail.

RNFROG3, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2003

don't stay ...be happy!! This job is hard enough when you like what you are doing,don't stay where ya don't find some happiness.

caliotter3 · Jan 22, 2003

LTC consumed me and almost destroyed me. (Living in your car has a permanent effect, thank you). It was so bad, that when I finally got my second home health job (area where I have stayed), I burned out so badly that I didn't leave my room for days at a time. My landlord was afraid to open my door (one of his sons had committed suicide) to see if I was still alive. I was so fried that I did not call anybody to tell them I wasn't coming in. When I finally reentered reality, I was afraid I would have to beg for my job back. Admittedly, there were medical problems (and the whole episode could have been entirely medical), but I thought part of it was fallout from the PTSD from what LTC did to me. The stories I could tell. You read many of those stories on this BB, I never even had this avenue to vent. But at least in home health I can work and have a job and I thank God for that.

caliotter3 · Jan 22, 2003

Also, something that helped me when I was in the military and was being persecuted, frequent one day or two day "vacations". Regular vacations, days off, or (if you have to) "sick" call-ins, might help.

CraftyLPN · Jan 22, 2003

I have this big prob w/guilty consiuos (sp) thing...don't know why ..but I do...my friends say I am job -hopping..and it won't look good on my record...I just know I want to be happy at what I am doing, not just going thru the motions...

We have 50= res on this hall and sometimes there is only one nurse...IT is hard enough with just one side of the hall..let alone both...

Like I had said before..I applaud those who can handle that kind of situation..but I just know I want to be happy...and happy at what I am doing

2banurse · Jan 22, 2003

Teddybear, you need to do what is good FOR YOU!!! Don't worry about what friends or family are saying to you...they are not the ones that have to face your choices and life. You went into nursing to help people, but it can't be at your expense. Like you, I applaud those nurses that like working in LTCs, etc., but that is not for me. Sit down and think about what you want to do...stay in patient care? Which area would be of interest? Do you feel that you need a break from patient care? Maybe you can find something in administration? How about going back to school? If you have an LPN, maybe go back for your RN. If you have your RN, maybe go for your BSN or MSN? There are many options...just look through this billboard, you may find an area not previously thought of. Take care of you!!!!

Best of luck!

Kris

jschut, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2003

Oh goodness~ I can TOTALLY relate! And I also agree with the others, for you to get out before you totally burn out.

God bless you! :)