Already burned out?

[pumpkinspice555]

I've only been working for about a month and a half, a few more weeks of orientation and then i'm on my own, but I feel already burned out and tired.... Is this normal? I think it's bc I'm new and I always have work on my mind even when i'm at home and i'm off. It's so much responsibility, it's exhausting from time to time. What should I do?

[amzyRN]

Yeah it's normal. I also found orientation more draining and was glad to be done. I think it's normal to feel exhausted until you get a "flow" down. Once you are able to prioritize, it won't feel so overwhelming because there are lots of things that can wait until later or delegated. I still haven't gotten to this point quite yet. I am able to prioritize to keep my patients safe but sometimes get bogged down in stuff that I shouldn't. Assessment skills will get better and faster. I can do a good assessment in 4-5 minutes and pass most meds pretty quick. I did get slowed down by starting a PCA yesterday and that was annoying. I don't have a lot of experience with those and couldn't get the syringe to scan in the PCA pump. I had to ask someone to help me. Anyway, it will get easier. I do think working in a hospital can get draining after a while though.