Burn Nursing Not For Me

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Hi - I'm a new grad whose been working only about 3 months in a burn unit and it's not working out! I can see it is not for me - it's all just too overhwelming. My preceptor agrees that it looks like this is not a good fit for me. I'd like to transfer to another unit in the hospital. Will it look bad to want to transfer so soon? Will another unit take me if I can't make it on burn unit?

Thanks!

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Specializes in nicu, transition.

I think if you talk to your nurse manager and let her know how you feel, they can try and put you on another unit in the hospital. I mean, they have already invested 3 months in you. What is it that makes you feel like it isn't working out? I think that all new grads go through this around the 3 months marker and continue to feel that way because they are about to be on "their own". I dont know, I may be wrong. How much more precepting do you have to go?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Burn nursing is tough. The patients require so much care. Also, you have to take call. Some burn nurses hang tough for a few years and then burn out. Others can't take it and realize it early on. I say that you should finish your stint and get some valuable experience. When they are able to find a replacement, ask to be moved. It is hard to find nurses for burn unit.

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Can a new graduate go into burn nursing, or do you have to have a year or so in medsurg?

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Hey...if you are still there on the burn unit....STAY a minute and see! Only b/c I started right out of school and I freaked for a good 6 months! I was so scared and nervous and weirded out just by the look of a skin graft! Seriously I had to force myself to see beyone the meshed skin! Its hard. Its really hard. But it was so worth it. I used to freak about taking care of the really bad burns and terrified of the drsg changes. But I told myself I'd give it a year and if I still wanted to leave than I'd know I tried.

Well, I'm less than a month away and I"m confident I will do this forever! Burn is hard, but it is so worth it. These pts. appreciate sooo much and when you get to see them leave healthy (esp. the ones you never thought would get there) its so worth it.

But..if you really want to leave you should be able to get transferred w/in your hospital w/out a problem. Just talk to your manager

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Have you heard from anyone? I am wondering the same thing. I feel that I'm destined to go into burn nursing and need some resources on how to get there.

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