absolutely burnt out with my job

Marshall1 · Jan 18, 2014

Look for another job, call out sick - whatever you need to do to get your breathing room - from your post, to be honest, I would not want someone who feels like you do caring for my loved one in a situation like a LTC - regardless of what a lot of people think, LTC work is HARD - emotionally and physically and someone who is feeling like you say you are - "hating" so much - is not in a good place to care for others when they are not caring for themselves. Your employer will do to you what you allow - highly doubt you will get terminated for not agreeing to work more - they sound too short staffed and desperate.. if you've done your hours for the week and they are short and you don't want to pick up more that's for your employer to figure out how to solve - not you. The size of the facility really isn't relative as a LOT of LTC's are like this and now hospitals too..they would rather work who they have harder than put the money and time into hiring. Or so it seems.There is nothing wrong w/you needing/wanting time away from work.

Nursing is stressful but we nurses also have to accept some responsibility for our situations and when they are chronically not working, like it sounds like here, then YOU are the only one who can change things. For your sake and the sake of the residents, I hope you do.

amoLucia · Jan 20, 2014

Sounds like you need some YOU time. If you're due for some vacation time now, take it. While on vac, you can do a job search as it sounds like you've hit bottom.

It's easy to say to consider some other nsg specialty, but that's just not so simple. And not all LTC facilities are the same altho the specialty is tough all around. So start looking around if you choose so.

Do not allow them to wheedle you into doing extra time. Again easier said than done. But you do need to take care of you first.

Hugs out to you.

whatdidigetmyselfin2 · Jan 22, 2014

Omg. You must work at my facility. lol. I can completely relate to how you feel as I am going through almost the same thing. Maybe it's time for a job change. Like the previous poster, I would take a few days off and spend a day or two job hunting and relax the other days. Our patients rely on us to take care of them and it's hard to do that when we don't even take care of ourselves. Good luck.

Ultraposh · Jan 22, 2014

Have you ever considered becoming a CRNA? I also had worries about doing what I do forever. I work 7 overnights a week literally no night out the week do I sleep at home. I sleep from 8am-1pm and from 6pm to 1030 pm for work at 11. I have so little time during the day for myself. Ive been working at this job for 2 years. Overnights only. Its a private case, I just sit and watch tv while my patient sleeps but it doesn't make the job too much easier. Have you ever tried to stay up all night staring at the tv? My point is im with you and I found something I really want to achieve it just happens to be in my same field (nursing) I think you need to do the same! You work A LOT. I recommend Excelsior if you are wanting to advance your career without waiting. Im getting my adn online through Excelsior college, currently taking some prereqs through them. I will be enrolling maybe next month and then next year I will get my BSN through either Excelsior or another online rn-bsn school. Maybe advancing your education within nursing is what you need or maybe picking a whole new career choice altogether. I really cant know as I do not really know you. You've only been an LPN for one year I know youre dreading the rest of your lifetime if you feel like this already. Try to figure out if you need more autonomy, more hours off, different scene or different career and go from there. Within hospitals there are different units. Maybe you haven't experienced all you can as a nurse to really make a decision yet. BTW CRNA's don't burn out!

seadobe · Jan 28, 2014

Im in the same boat. Ive been an RN for 6 years, but it feels like 50. I worked as a traveler for about 3 years and loved it. Loved the adventures, excitement and meeting new people. Now that I've established roots and got a staff job Im sick of it. I have a perfect home life, but i hate going to work. I hate the politics of being staff, working short staffed daily and budget issues. Ive been thinking about changing careers, but I'm not qualified or have experience in anything else. Any advice or ideas?????

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 28, 2014

I'm an LPN, a new graduate. Been a nurse for one whole year, now working in LTC.
And already I just feel like I made a terrible career choice.
Okay, not that I don't want to be a nurse, I just hate where I'm at right now. I hate my job, I hate my hours, and some days, I just hate my residents. And that's not fair to them.
But it's just so under staffed. I get two days off per week, and 9 times out of 10, I'm begged and harassed into working them because there's no one to cover. I've been put on the schedule suddenly without my permission to make me work. It's a small facility, with about 70 residents, but only three nurses hired on my shift. To be fair, they're always hiring, but no one stays.
I don't want to be whiny, but I'm just exhausted. Mentally, I need a break. Physically, I need REST. Is that so absurd? I know nursing is hard, I learned that fast, but I need time to breathe, still.
I just need some advice. Encouragement. Something.

Sounds to me like you're working eight hour shifts, and one of the enormous downsides to the shorter shift is that you only get two days off a week. That's not nearly enough. Set your foot down right now about working extra shifts. It's not YOUR job to cover those shifts; it's management's job. Let them do it. They'll continue to try to harass you into helping them out, but don't let them.

As soon as the schedule officially comes out, copy it. That's the schedule you go by. They cannot put you on extra shifts unless you agree to them, so don't agree. Take care of yourself first.

If you have vacation time coming, take it as soon as possible. If you don't, you may need to consider calling out for a week so you can GET some rest. I'm usually dead set against calling out for "mental health reasons," but it sounds as if you really do need the rest.

While you're resting, think about what your goals for career are. Do you really like where you are right now? That's great! Stay there, but make sure management understands that you'll work your forty hours a week and that's IT for now. Later, if you decide you want to help them out with staffing, that would be up to you. And think about 12 hour shifts and four days off a week.

ReneeLPN2012 · Feb 2, 2014

Wow, I am a newer LPN also and have been working LTC for the past year (two different facilities). I feel the same way! I'm so burned out due to short-staffing, being harassed to work on my day off or work double shifts, corrupt management, etc. I've worked in the health care field for 20 years in other positions, mostly in hospitals, which were high-stress positions but nothing like the stress I've been dealing with now as a nurse, and is definitely affecting my emotional and physical health. MY BP is going through the roof, and I've ALWAYS had low BP, I've lost 12 lbs in the last month, my short-term memory is shot, and my anxiety is at an all time high. I thought it was just me but I've talked with other nurses where I work and they feel the same! Many of them are going back to school, and some have left nursing entirely. So no, it's not absurd that you feel that way, I know what you're going through. Like the other poster recommended, if you have available PTO/vacation time, it would be a good time to use it. Also, working three 12-hr shifts is still stressful, but at least you have enough free time to de-stress. I am also looking for 12 hr shifts, as I don't know how much longer I can handle this kind of stress. Good luck to you!

alby_dangle · Feb 2, 2014

I agree with RubyVee. If you set your foot down, what's the worst that could happen? Yes, they may fire you, but then you have an opportunity to find something better and more fulfilling to you. Plus, I'm not sure they really would have any grounds to fire you for not working overtime.

I am also a LPN, work 8 hour shifts, and I know exactly how you feel. I just recently applied for a few jobs that would be one step back a level in my career, but would get me into a hospital. I am in school for my RN and I just need a little less stress in my life, plus the opportunity of getting my foot in the door. Don't let your job make you feel like they should be the most important place in your life. I know that pretty much every facility seems to make their employees think that now, including mine (and they shouldn't). My boss will call me about issues when I am not at work on my day off. I'm not getting paid for that time and neither are you. Go to your supervisor and be firm, but not angry. Tell them how its affecting you personally and how you don't feel like you're giving the best care possible. I don't think they would want you working like that and caring for their people if they knew. At least, if they actually care about their residents then they should feel that way.

MOORE47 · Feb 2, 2014

Hi SHARKBACON, I understand totally. Nursing is a stressful profession. However, you must chose an area or specialty that you find enjoyable. I worked geriatrics for years. I think the feeling of burnout comes from the repetitive nature of the care provided. Some people enjoy repetitive routines w, while others look forward to challenges . Nursing can be a rewarding and enjoyable career. I would suggest a change of employment. You deserve better and so do your patients , Good luck!!!