Burned out?? ALREADY??

meadow85 · Jan 8, 2009

i think you need a change. try the float pool, if your hospital has one. im working on oncology but since the hospital is so short-staffed i have floated to medicine, palliative and neuro so far. it will allow you the opportunity to meet different people and learn different skill sets .... it will keep you on your toes. plus you dont have to deal with the drama on the unit since your only there for a a day or two :)

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

Hi

As you can see, I'm quite a bit older then most of you. For a few years I worked as a Manager--in Psych. Because of LOTS of politics, I resigned that position. I had REALLY changed for the worse by the time I left there---My husband was even ready to leave me.

Well, I decided to go to Med/Surg after that & then finally to a Hem/Onc floor that also takes Med/Surg pt's.

I have been doing that--on night shift---ffor over 30 yrs now. I went & got certified in Onc.

When I would start to get that feeling if maybe getting "burned out" I would try to do something that would challenge me----studying for Certs, etc. Taking a class; the other thing I did was to also start working part-time in Home Health. Since I worked nites, I would then go to see my pts. It gave me a different perspective & did lift my spirits a lot.

So what I guess I'm trying to say is that there are so MANY different types of nursing that we can try as many as we want until we find a fit. That's what I love--so many options.

Also, there is teaching, if that's your bag.

Another thing is to perhaps find a nice large teaching hospital--you might find more interesting options there.

Also, don't forget, you could also find something in Nursing Research.

I really do want to say that one of the other posters suggested Nites----I really LOVE night shift. Your pt;s are usually there--not down in various depts. Charts are there & the phone rings less; also--fewer family members to have todeal with.

ams02 · Jan 9, 2009

thank you all for you input...i started nsg school after 2 wonderful exp w/home hospice nurses and my grandparents...they are the reason i am a nurse, so i always knew that someday that is what i want...i really thought it would be further down the road though? just 2 years in? i will call around and see what they have available, that cant hurt...and as for going to nights? ive thought about it, but i cant get past the mental block of not sleeping w/my husband at night, the $4 more an hour is tempting, but i just dont want to wreck my circadian rhythm right now....plus dont get me wrong, i like to be busy....if im at work, i dont want to be sitting around gossiping all day...i am NOT implying thats what night shift does, but it is nice to be able to sit for 5 min every now and then.......thanks again for letting me vent...nobody that isnt a nurse has a clue of what we go through!!!

wanderlust99 · Jan 9, 2009

Try a different type of nursing or a different floor. Maybe try ICU (busy...but only 1-2pts) or something else. When I switched to a different type of ICU that's just what I needed to get over my burnout. I too spent 2 1/2 years unhappy and sometimes going into work praying beforehand hoping everything would be ok.

I'm so happy I switched it up.

good luck