Am I in the wrong job?

[Denise81]

I am so frustrated right now and need to vent a little. I graduated from nursing school 2005 and spent most of my career in the ER. The first 2 years I worked on a med surg floor but I could not stand to see the same faces, the same pt 5 days in a row. So I ended up in the ED and initally really loved it. A little over a year ago we moved and I had to find a new job and there was no question for me where I wanna work, ER of course. Now after about 1 year I am so frustrated. In the beginning I thought it was because everything was new but it has not gotten any better. By now I tread going to work. If I know I have to work that night my mood is so bad all day. My husband can not understand my frustration, and honestly I can not understand it myself. I always loved my job but right now I would rather go work in starbucks.

[Burlshoe114]

Wow, Celtwoman! I am floored by both your story and your compassion to another RN who is soul-searching! I'm not the OP, but I sure feel better just reading what you posted!

[wooh, BSN, RN]

First off, to some of the PPs: Yes, it sucks you're still looking for a job. There are plenty of threads to complain about that. Just because OP has a job doesn't mean that she has no right to ever complain.

OP: You're sounding burned out. You might just need a change of scenery, or maybe look into a new specialty. Or maybe you just a vacation for a couple weeks. Or changing shifts might do it too, I was burning out hard before I went back to working nights and it's helped tremendously. I had been thinking about working at Taco Bell rather than Starbucks though. (I also am in school and cut my hours, so the shift change alone probably didn't do it, but having different people around makes a difference.)

Or maybe just find something outside of work to look forward to when you get home. I'd definitely look into finding something that will relieve burn out though. It may be more, as a PP said, perhaps depression, but if it's all centered on work, look into burn out.

Good luck.

[Clementia]

Denise81, I hear what you're saying about dreading going to work. Speaking as someone who's been burned out, I would suggest taking a good hard look at your life -- before things get really bad. Maybe you do need to switch jobs, or maybe you need to get more sleep. I found that cutting back on my hours and sleeping more (I work nights) really helped. You're not a bad nurse or a bad person for not liking your job. Good luck; I hope things work out for you.