Am I burned out?

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Hi guys, I'm a new member who joined to look for some advice from my fellow nurses. Hi!!! *waves*

So I've been a nurse for 9 years. Med surg for 5 then ICU the last 4 years. I recover open heart patients which I've always wanted to do so when I got the chance I took it.

However, I've found that I constantly feel bored out of my mind!!! Even when I'm in the middle of a busy shift I'm just counting the hours til I'm off. Don't get me wrong, I still give my all to my patients and coworkers. I don't cry or dread coming to work. But this really bothers me and I don't know how to fix it! Is this a symptom of burnout??! I've never heard of anyone else describing this feeling. What do you guys think? Anyone else felt like this?

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

It doesn't sound like you are burned out. You said you are bored.

Do you feel you aren't learning anything? Is it too routine?

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Thanks for your response! Yes I do feel like it's gotten pretty routine. But I don't know how to fix it! Plus I've always wanted to be a heart nurse so it's like I climbed that mountain and achieved my dream. So I've got that "what do I do now??" feeling haha. I'm not sure where to go from here.

I've been expanding my education and will finally be done with my BSN at the end of this year. But I still need to work so I want a career while I pursue more education. I want to be challenged and engaged at work so ideally I would like to work in an area that gives me those things. Any suggestions? I don't think I can handle the boredom for much longer!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It sounds like you are bored with your present position and I love that you are considering your future before you are totally miserable and making everyone around you miserable also, lol. Sometimes a job we think might be appealing isn't and requires shifting gears. Maybe start looking around at other offerings? In the past I have found just the task of shopping around and applying makes me feel proactive and on more than one occasion has reminded me of the things I enjoy about my present gig. Good luck.

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