I'm burned out...what to do...

[KC34]

I became a nurse out of family pressure. I thought it would make my husband happy. It has, but I'm miserable. Not just miserable, but I thought about leaving him for this reason.

In nursing school, though, I realized I had a skill that not many have. I can build rapport quickly. I love giving comfort. But, I've tried med-surg, nursing home, then I went to an office thinking the hours would be better. I ended up staying way passed office time just to catch up. I became even more disillusioned. I have never made my patients suffer from my unhappiness. On the contrary, if I can make someone feel better-I feel like I've made a difference. I am very good at finding resources for patients. I am famous for mending rapport between Doctors/midlevels and their patients. I am good at building trust with my patients and quickly put them at ease. I often end up with the difficult ones, because I usually can calm them down. And no....I don't threaten their lives and drug them like elephants.

I feel I can no longer be effective and I'm so frustrated. Playing CNA and nurse is too much. I can't bath and clean everyone, do my meds, assessments, deal with acute issues, etc. I'm so exhausted I can barely keep my head up. My husband and children feel like a world away anymore.

On my days off I can barely roll out of bed d/t the panic mode I'm always in. I have developed health issues. I keep having palpitations, dizziness, severe fatigue, SOB, can't eat or sleep. I've been in the ED 2x already. Once while I was at work. Can't focus to save my life. I'm only 34 years old. I have always been healthy and fit, but feel like I'm really suffering. I'm thinking about leaving the profession. It just keeps getting worse. What do I do?

[UpennRN]

Mari, how does one get into public health nursing?

[toomuchbaloney]

Mari, how does one get into public health nursing?

In Alaska those jobs are hired by the state and the positions are posted on the state's website. My guess is that it would be similar in other states.

Good luck.

[KC34]

This is a wonderful topic. I've had many conversations with nurses about sleep habits and how they are feeling. I notice sometimes that I am just emotioned out and can't function at home or have difficulty giving attention to my family. I am not looking for sympathy. My point is I see a trend in nursing practice. The conversations I've had with other nurses seems to match what I feel. Some nurses have trouble with sleeping and eating habits. Some seem a little apathetic at the end of a difficult week. This is alarming to me because some symptoms seem to be that of burn out and then ptsd if this goes too long. Thank God I work with wonderful and helpful staff. Boy! does that ever help. I think my perfect work/life balance would be to go into work early and get off by 3/4. Off on most weekends.

I'm quickly realizing night shift is not for me. I've been thinking about something a little more low key though. Thinking about dialysis outpatient or outpatient surgery. I enjoyed my surgical clinical a great deal. It is even better if you work with an enthusiastic doctor who likes to teach. Also maybe a private nursing home with time to talk to my patients. I love being able to talk to my patients. I once had the coolest conversation with a liquor runner (this was during prohibition). This is all missing in our practice with all the ridiculous charting.

I know I seem to be rambling, but i am still enthusiastic about nursing and I feel that all this charting is taking away my joy and the lack of pay. Where I work since 2011, I have barely worked up to 21.50 (a little more with night diff). This seems pathetic to me! I can't afford to go part time like this. All they offer is a measly 403b.

[Mulan]

Do you have health insurance through your husband?

If so, and if the hours would be available, going PRN would give you a higher hourly rate and

you could work less hours and still make the same amount of money.

You can open an IRA and put money away yourself for retirement.

[CVICU-Nurse1.5]

I worked in the jails and saw nurses getting paid more than law enforcement. Seriously $8,500/month isn't a joke!

As for stress relief, try meditation, praying, or exercising. Also the foods you eat determine your emotions.

[wellcoachRN]

I am glad that you taking proactive steps to do something that you love! A few years back, I attended an essential oils class with a botanist. She was amazing and had a very profitable side business of selling the oils as well as signing people up to build their own businesses. Nursing is great in that you can ease your way out of it while building another career. Wishing you great success as a botanist!!

[1sttime]

When I worked a high stress job I would vacation in Europe... so nice to be in public and not understand a word people were saying. Nobody wanted anything from me. I would come back and jump right in to endless demands... This wasn't an effective coping mechanism.

Finding a workplace where you can set some boundaries for yourself is a good start. I actually now work 5 hour shifts in Nursing now that I am healthier. This has allowed me to have the space in my mind to dream, and to put some time into making my dreams a reality.