Burned out after 18 Years in PICU/NICU

Career Columnist / Author · Dec 15, 2015

Hi Nurse Beth,

I have been a PICU/NICU RN for 18 years and I am getting so burnt out. I think I need a change.

I thought pre-op or surgery/pacu would be interesting but all I see for ads requires one year surgery

I would like to stay with the same hospital corporation so it would be a transfer.

I was wondering if there were some classes i could take that would make me look like a more promising candidate other than one who has never worked with adults.

Dear Burned Out,

Eighteen years is a long time in one area, and a change is just the thing to cure that burned out syndrome.

Your main advantage is being an insider. You have access to hiring managers. Your nurse manager is friends with hiring managers in other areas. If you have a good relationship with your nurse manager, I would talk to her/him, explain that you are ready for a change, and ask for their advice.

If for any reason you do not want to include your nurse manager in your plans, then identify someone else in the organization to help you. It could be a friend who works in another department. Friends don't let friends stay burned out :).

After eighteen years, you have a strong network to draw on. You are known, and there are people who will put in a good word for you, and let you know of opportunities.

One personal reference or good word will go further towards landing a new position than any course you could take.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth