Anyone dealt with burning out as a Tech?

[WCSU1987]

Been working as patient tech in several different area's for about six year's. Started as an EMT during my last year old college that then led to other job opportunities.

I dealt with burnout in the pass. I worked 60+ hour's a week and volunteered at the local ambulance company 1-20 hour's a week. I was dealing with stress outside of work at the time. Did this for three month's. Wasn't getting many calls a week at the ambulance still maybe one or two a week. Other times could get a night not sleeping at all. Was working doubles at work life was spent there. Since I moved away from where I volunteered I had to drive about 40 minutes a day to continue to volunteer.

That was when I had my first burn out and depression reared it's ugly head. Went to therapy and went on anxiety medication. Left volunteering to focus on work and worked out my external stressors. However, was laid off as a patient tech. Did meet my fiance during my time of unemployment so happy about that.

Then worked a few job's during my term of unemployment until able to get back working in a hospital. I been doing current job for four month's, but I am starting to feel burnt out. I just don't want to get up at times. My schedule is chaotic since I am variable 24 hour shifts. Can work three day shifts and two evening shifts. Only set day's on are my weekends on. However, with summer vacations approaching been put on other weekend's as well.

The drive is an hour down an hour back. Thankfully, except this week due to my own doing, working a 3-11 to 7-3 shift back to back. Meaning drive home be home around 12:30 and leave at 6, be up at 5.

Depending on shift day shifts feel exhausted drain just want to avoid everyone and lay down take a nap. Then that leads to an hour getting ready for the next day. If working evening's home by 12:30 or 1. From there up ill 2 or 2:30 wired from the shift waking up exhausted and late having little time to do thing's in the morning before next shift.

The pay is decent make about $20 an hour. Patient's can make your tired, but rewarding. With the summer and holidays staffing is short feel being ripped to pieces. Feel have no time to do anything outside of work it just drains me.

I am hoping, but feel hopeless, can move into another department that does 12 hour shifts. Think the extra income from hour's worked and the balance of time off will be beneficial. However, it's a big IF that is could happen and very doubtful it could.

Appreciate anyone else's feedback on their burnouts how did you survive?

[mvm2]

You are not being kind to yourself health wise. I can see why you are burned out, but it seems like it is your own doing.

My suggestion is pick a shift and stick with it. Also 60-80 hours a week is just crazy nuts to be doing that all the time. Even the 24 hour shifts are many times tough on a body. We are humans and not machines. You can't do that constantly to your body and not expect it to cry out to you and beg you to stop. I myself had worked a 3-11 and then a 7-3. But it is maybe only 2 times in a year I've done that. Definetly not a weekly or monthly thing

Also if you keep this up you might be putting you patients in jeopardy. You might make a mistake in your tired zombie state that will harm them. I personally think you are playing with fire with the crazy work schedules you are allowing yourself to have.

[WCSU1987]

Appreciate the feedback I really don't have much choice in term of my schedule since I am variable...fortunately for now not doing day to eve to day. Normally day day eve.

Yeah that was 2 year's ago did those 60 hour's for 2 to 3 month's never again.

[mvm2]

Well you have to do what you have too, but if I was you I'd look for a different job that can give you the hours you want but that you are not swing shifting. Jobs like this are nice for having short term if you have to but I feel you will do a lot better if you can find yourself a job that you are only working one type of shift. You'll feel a lot better and your body will thank you that it can have a circadence rhythm

[Missingyou, CNA]

Variable shifts are HARD on the body.

I'm not surprised you are feeling burn out.

I'd say work only the shift that you are scheduled until you find another job.

If you are feeling all the things you say here, "mvm" is right, it's only a matter of time before something happens and it won't be good.

If you do pick up extra shifts, then you really can't complain...you are only doing it to yourself.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.

[WCSU1987]

I feel guilty not picking shifts up. Variable is a challenge can work 24 to whatever the unit needs. Hoping my transfer goes through for a 36 hour night position.

[mvm2]

Sweetie believe me I know that guilty feeling for not picking up shifts. Its a struggle for me as well.

But you need to look out for yourself... if you always take shifts your place of employment will exploit it as much as they possibly can. For your own sake sometimes you just have to say no. There will be other people they can call to fill that shift.

And let me tell you. You can run yourself into the ground for them and they won't care a lick about what it is doing to you physically or emotionally. And if you make an error that harms a patient your work place will throw you under the bus faster then your head can spin. Take extra shifts when you can but you Also need your rest and family time as well

I hope you get the new position it sounds like a promising job for you.

[WCSU1987]

I really don't know why I feel so run down. I can't believe variable shifts can throw me on the ground on my but. I mean working long work week's haven't affected me in the past. I get tired, but the environment I work in the patients can feed off of your weaknesses and you take a lot out the door with you enotionally. Greenhorn mistake...but now the drive swing shifts I feel like poop.

Literally wanted to crawl to my car last night and dosed off a but with the drive. I feel so irritable and edgey on my day's off.

They want me to train in another department so I can pick up hour's.

[WCSU1987]

Well didn't have the money, but spent a day 1/2 camping. Again don't really have the money, but spent the extra $20 to join the YMCA to swim. Swimming is a great stress relief for me.

Heading off to work today and working tomorrow morning, 4 hour's of sleep.

I love working with patients and hospital working at. However, I really can't stand working with patients, dread going into work, and try to get by with the bare minimum at work. I try to avoid extra work.

I worry and feel they are holding me training in the ED before approving me for the transfer. I just can't train with the way my schedule is like.

I am worried won't get the transfer. Then I an vexed because leaves me with a few options.

I can continue working up until 6 month's hope for a job opening can transfer to.

Can take a class to be CNA certified continue working for current hospital on a more consistent schedule or find a CNA job outside the hospital. My current skills will allow me to be a multi skilled tech. However, I will still make about $8-$10 less an hour so not sure if it is the right move.

Hospital I work at pay's up to $5,000 towards your college degree a year.

[WCSU1987]

The financial issues add to the stress. Ever since being laid off as a tech a year ago blew out my 401K. Money was in the red and negative. Bill's continue to pile up. Family is upset that I cam to the point I need to enjoy my life I make a weekend camping trip every month. A beach trip at least twice a month. I am trying to save, but bill's are too much to keep a savings. Then deciding even though not financial stable can't pass up on marriage getting married in 18 month's may be living in the basement of my mother in law house tull can finally afford place to rent.

Life is too short.

[Missingyou, CNA]

"Life is too short" and you are working it away...or being to tired and grumpy to enjoy it!

If you are getting behind on bills, then joining the YMCA for $20. a month isn't such a great idea, I know you are trying to find ways to release stress but, in the end you are adding stress because that $20 can be used for other things! Isn't there other ways to relieve stress? ....go for a walk, swim in a friend's pool or lake?? ...beat up a pillow? ride a bike... plant a garden?

Picking up a shift now and then isn't such a big deal if you can handle it...and right now, it doesn't sound like you can handle it.

If you MUST work more shifts and need the extra money, maybe you can work home care in addition to this job? Shorter shifts taking care of one or two people....

Seriously, you can come up with a million and one excuses as to WHY you continue to pick up extra shifts and continue to have zero energy on your days off....it's up to you and only you can make the change.

"You make your own bed....".

"You can't have your cake and eat it too".......