burnt at 24?

I graduated after 4 years, and really thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I had been a CNA since I got out of high school, and continued working in a hospital close to my school part time while I took classes. I have now been an RN for almost 3 years. I went directly into critical care right out of school and really thought I was in love with it. Within the last year I decided to move to another critical care unit in a larger hospital with more opportunities. I was thinking about going back to school and wanted something new for experience.


But lately things have changed. I have turned into this strangely morbid and pessimistic person that I barely recognize. New grads make me ill because I remember being that excited and now I envy them. I don't want to be that nurse that is known for being miserable with the job, but I don't know what to do next. I am so embarrassed with the nurse that I have become. I miss loving my job so much. I am so dreadfully discouraged that recently I have thought about leaving the field all together. I know times are tough and I should be lucky to have a job, but I feel like I'm on the shuttle to hell.

I really think that burnt nurses are not burnt at all, there must be some way to cope with all the hurt and death that you see on a day to day basis. It's almost like a hardened shell. Maybe its like some kind of PTSD. haha

just needed to vent, and I hope I'm not alone.