I think I'm getting burned out

Nurses Stress 101

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This is going to be rambling thoughts so be warned.

When I was working in a SNF I used to always complain that I'm not working in the hospital getting the experience I need to advance. Now, I've been working at Telemetry floor at a community hospital and now I really feel like I hate my job. I've only been practicing nursing for 2 years now.

I always dread going there. I went from nights in a SNF to a hospital on day time. I always feel like I'm at everyone's beck and call. At the SNF, I felt like I had more control and I felt there was a slight less emphasis on this customer service crap. The families I deal with want so many answers from me but I'm just a nurse, then when I do give them answers I get: "I'd rather hear it from the doctor." Then why ask me?! During one code, I actually had a family member of the neighboring patient yelling at the code team because her uncle was wet. I really try to emphasize with the family, their loved one is sick so maybe you can't think straight.

Nursing was always a thankless profession but I feel like I get belittled and my intelligence insulted. I just want some autonomy and respect.

The people I work with are fine I get along with them, but I do not feel like I fit in. They have this....cliquishness about it. Maybe because I'm a guy or something.

My mother always told me that working telemetry was rough and told me to endure so that I can move on to better things. When I was in nursing school one of the primary nurses told me: "The moment you let nursing consume your life, it will make you feel miserable." When I go home I try not to think of my job, but it's literally left me with baggage...25 pounds worth of it. My second job as a faculty assistant is so much less stressful and I see more results from it.

What is it going to take to survive? I used to feel satisfaction from doing what I did. Discharging a patient from a SNF so they can go live independently was so satisfying. But now...it feels like a business transaction. I provide a service and customers leave and pay (or not pay haha).

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Have long have you been on telemetry?

With that experience maybe you can transfer to ICU.

Maybe you would like that better, maybe not.

Hard to leave work at work for some people.

Maybe get the education required so that you can teach.

Good luck.

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I've been on Tele for about 7 months, I'm going to be finally getting my ACLS finally since my job will pay for it. I hear the unit is better to be on but those positions are hard to come by.

I need to get some work experience so I can get into grad school. I'm not sure if education is for me though, I never liked writing papers. My professors used to call me: "The master of brevity."

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Try another area Try another area Try another area

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Specializes in Emergency Department; Neonatal ICU.

How about ER? As you can see by my username, I am biased but I personally love it. High stress but generally quick patient turnover (as in, you might have a patient for an entire shift but you probably won't have to see them your next shift :) ).

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

What Mulan said.

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