Burn out in psychiatry

MentalKlarity, BSN, NP · Sep 19, 2022

How long are appts? I had burnout when I had 20 min appts. I switched to 30+ min follow ups and 60 min intakes and capped at 10 patients or so a day. Made a huge difference

rr0416 · Sep 19, 2022

Thank you for your input. 30 minute follow ups, 90 minute intakes. I work 8:30 - 4, 3.5 days per week.

NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN · Sep 25, 2022

Wow….I get 20 min fups, 30 min transfers and 60 min new evals. And we’re still getting lectures about being productive. We also have a huge substance abuse comorbidity population and I’m coming home crying or screaming or both in the car most days. I’m at year 10 and exhausted. If I had money I’d leave the profession.

**CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN** · Sep 25, 2022

On 9/19/2022 at 1:04 PM, rr0416 said:

I have been working full time as a PMHNP since 2014. I still love psychiatry, but am feeling burned out from the constant patient interaction. I have tried everything I can think of, switching to part time, taking a month off, going to therapy....At this point I feel like I need a career change for a year to feel more replenished. Any ideas?

Is any of your work remote? At my clinic the NPs typically do a few days a week in the clinic, and a few from home. Even though you see the same number of patients from home, it FEELS easier because in between patients you can wander to your kitchen, step outside for some sunshine, etc.

rr0416 · Sep 25, 2022

I work completely from home. I'm really just wanting a new career, but not sure about options.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Sep 25, 2022

I hear ya. Love the specialty (I've been a PMHNP for 2+ years), but the constant back-to-back patient interactions can be pretty tiring. I do find part-time tolerable, but full time work would not.

I think there are options...teaching, insurance companies, and perhaps pharma (either sales or medical science liaison). If financially feasible, you can even try something else totally outside of the field.

rr0416 · Sep 25, 2022

Thank you! I will look into those.

Trauma ICU Guy, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 20, 2022

To be honest with you, this is why I have maintained my practice of bedside critical care nursing on per diem basis. I actually love working beside in the Trauma ICU.

I work full time as a PMHNP at a tertiary hospital, work part time basis as an AG-ACNP at another tertiary hospital. And I do work PRN as an ICU-RN at a great teaching hopsital.

Have you thought about getting a post-master's certification in another specialty? Good luck !

On 9/25/2022 at 12:00 PM, rr0416 said:

I work completely from home. I'm really just wanting a new career, but not sure about options.

I think that's the cause. Working strictly telepsychiatry from home can be taxing. Perhaps consider doing inpatient psychiatry, or doing consulting work in the ED? Best of luck!