Burn Out

JentheRN05, RN · Dec 1, 2005

Well personally I have a really hard time coping with working 36 hours a week. I don't see how anyone could work that many hours and stay sane, but if you have the endurance and insomnia I guess it could work.

I just personally don't think it would be a good idea, and yes I'm fairly certain you would get burned out really quickly with that amount of hours

Just my .02 (take it or leave it, I'm a fairly new nurse graduated in May - 34 years old, 3 kids and a husband)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2005

Is it doable...yes. Is it easy....heck no. I've seen lots of nurses work overtime for long periods of time. I myself worked about an extra 12-hour shift a week for six months.

It all depends on the individual. But yes, burnout happens, if not burn out that little compassionate edge goes away and irritablity creeps in. I see it in myself and I've seen it in others.

Good luck.

bettystlouis · Dec 1, 2005

HI IT DEPENDS ON YOUR AGE HEALTH AND WHERE YOU WORK IN THE NURSING FIELD

Gail-Anne · Dec 1, 2005

I think people doing this need to ask themselves more questions than burning out in nursing....little things like: do I want to see my kids, do I want to have any patience with my kids, do I want a sex life, etc, etc! Never seeing family and being tired when you do, doesn't make for a long lasting marriage unless both you and wife are on board with this. Make sure you schedule "dates" in and don't let issues ride. For some it's worth it. Good luck.

Sean 91 · Dec 1, 2005

Four 12 hour shifts (three regularly-scheduled plus a bonus shift) are tough, esp as it is hard to get out at exactly 12 hours. Plus some hospitals have a limit on hours at, for example, 52 hours max w/out approval. It starts to feel like a treadmill that you can't turn off. As much as you get satisfaction when the nurse:patient ratio allows you to give REALLY good nursing care, you cherish the days off. Maybe I'm getting burned out. It is a great profession though. The job satisfaction outweighs the fatigue if you find the right department/floor.

nurse_clown · Dec 1, 2005

you already have established a family. there are a few things you should consider. working a 60 hour week is hard. it's hard on the mind and body. not only that, it's hard on the spouse and kids. i just finished a ten night in a row work week. we want to get some good gifts this year. besides, our car broke down in a serious way and we're trying to catch up and recover from that. doing the work was no problem. staying awake was no problem. but when my day off came, i was so tired i couldn't even enjoy it. my husband missed me and my kids missed me.

i had one day off. then my second job called and asked me to help cover shifts for an ill coworker. another coworker lost a beloved family member so we were short staffed. i also had to work short staffed for two shifts. so now, i'm sitting here instead of getting ready for work. i'm very irritable and tired. i'm looking forward to tomorrow morning when my shift is over. and that was one week! i think i'm well on my way to burn out! it's a scarey position to be in. everything is out of control and you feel like you are grabbing at strings. you never have enough sleep. you want to be nice but nothing is right! umm..... sorry about that.

some people can handle it. i have a friend who has a full time job and also works part time. she's also a single mother. i don't know how she does it!

bottom line (i think) is you have to take care of yourself otherwise you are no good to anyone.

Kalico · Dec 1, 2005

you already have established a family. there are a few things you should consider. working a 60 hour week is hard. it's hard on the mind and body. not only that, it's hard on the spouse and kids. i just finished a ten night in a row work week. we want to get some good gifts this year. besides, our car broke down in a serious way and we're trying to catch up and recover from that. doing the work was no problem. staying awake was no problem. but when my day off came, i was so tired i couldn't even enjoy it. my husband missed me and my kids missed me.

i had one day off. then my second job called and asked me to help cover shifts for an ill coworker. another coworker lost a beloved family member so we were short staffed. i also had to work short staffed for two shifts. so now, i'm sitting here instead of getting ready for work. i'm very irritable and tired. i'm looking forward to tomorrow morning when my shift is over. and that was one week! i think i'm well on my way to burn out! it's a scarey position to be in. everything is out of control and you feel like you are grabbing at strings. you never have enough sleep. you want to be nice but nothing is right! umm..... sorry about that.

some people can handle it. i have a friend who has a full time job and also works part time. she's also a single mother. i don't know how she does it!

bottom line (i think) is you have to take care of yourself otherwise you are no good to anyone.

i totally agree with you.