Burned out already?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

I've been a nurse for 5 years. I've done a variety of M/S tele for 4 1/2 years, 2 of it as a travel nurse which I loved. I've done a contract in neuro surgical, as well as a bit of home care. I started in December in the ICU at a small hospital. I really wanted ER, but as I was only working agency after travel nursing (bad pregnancy and didn't want to hire on staff), I could only get into the ICU unless I started out staff somewhere and transferred. I figured ICU was great, I would get some great experience.

I'm not sure if I just don't care for ICU, if it's the hospital I work at, or I am already burned out on bedside nursing. We float constantly, so I have been working M/S a lot, and even floated to medical rehab. There is a ton of complaining, the hospital is very top heavy in management. Each unit has 2 managers, which is crazy to me, especially at such a small hospital. So they are really on top of you. People get wrote up constantly. I personally have not been wrote up, but I see it happening alot.

Maybe the ICU is just not for me. I think I'm just tired of worrying when the last time a patient had a BM, am I turning them every 2 hours, how many cups of water did that patient have? I try to keep a positive attitude at work, as I am usually a pretty happy upbeat person. But I don't like not enjoying going to work. I make the best of my job, I know I do a good job, I get compliments from patients, even to my managers. But I'm feeling a bit discouraged.

I think I would like the ER, the in and out flow. But a part of me is afraid I am just becoming burned out already. Which is a scary thought. Anyone else feeling this way, or am I crazy?

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Home Health, Geriatrics.

Have you thought about non-bedside nursing positions such as case management, utilization review, specialties of that nature? Maybe moving to another hospital and trying out ER would be something to try. Maybe it's the long hours? Could that be burning you out?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Have you thought about non-bedside nursing positions such as case management, utilization review, specialties of that nature? Maybe moving to another hospital and trying out ER would be something to try. Maybe it's the long hours? Could that be burning you out?

Yeah, I've been thinking about non bedside. I like the 12 hour shifts, as it allows me to be home more often. I don't mind the long days. We're going to be moving to another state in a year. So I'm hoping that with a year and half ICU experience I can hire on at an ER. I've always wanted ER, so I would hate to get out of bedside without giving it a chance. I just feel like I used to love it, and now I really don't. I've also always been interested in psych, so I've debated on seeing about getting into that. Maybe even getting a per diem job that if I don't like it, I'm not all for nothing with it.

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I don't think that it is "burnout" so much as you do not enjoy your current position. I feel the same right now. I want to go back to my old job, but I just did not make enough money to support my family at this time.. Maybe try something else? ICU is not for everyone..

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I have worked in a very busy pedi ER for the last 2 years. I started right after graduation. I love it. The chaos, speed, critical thinking and learning curve. I like to say we " bag them and tag them or treat them and street them". We do have our frequent flyers but every night brings something new. I am always learning something. The only way I would be a floor nurse is if it was specialized. I like the critcal care but not icu. Just go for it see if you like it

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Specializes in ED.

It sounds to me as well that it's more an issue of not being in the right area as opposed to "burn out". I currently work in the ICU. I too have always wanted to work ED (and L&D:p). I've often seen ED postings requiring/prefering ICU experience so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get said ICU experience. I thought it was something I was really interested in at the time as well. I'm really not enjoying it much either... ICU and ED are two very different styles of nursing I'm told. I would definitely give the ED a try before stepping out and attempting any non-bedside positions!! If no positions are currently available the experience you gain in the ICU can only help you develop/strenghten valuable skills to secure an ED position in the future. But as we all know, there are SO MANY avenues one can take in Nursing!! So if ED doesn't end up doing it for you (although there's a good chance it will ;)) there are still many roads you can travel down. I do hope you get your shot in the ED here soon! Take care.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

Thanks everybody. You've helped to boost my spirits! I have floated to the ER as part of my orientation, and it did seem like something I would like. I have a little less than a year that I will have to stay where I am, then we will be moving. So hopefully that will bring me something I like more!

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Home Health, Geriatrics.
Yeah, I've been thinking about non bedside. I like the 12 hour shifts, as it allows me to be home more often. I don't mind the long days. We're going to be moving to another state in a year. So I'm hoping that with a year and half ICU experience I can hire on at an ER. I've always wanted ER, so I would hate to get out of bedside without giving it a chance. I just feel like I used to love it, and now I really don't. I've also always been interested in psych, so I've debated on seeing about getting into that. Maybe even getting a per diem job that if I don't like it, I'm not all for nothing with it.

I understand completely. In the next state that you're in, see if they have an ER fellowship / internship. I know a nurse friend of mine that did that and she absolutely loved it. She also received all these very helpful certifications that were part of her fellowship program.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
I understand completely. In the next state that you're in, see if they have an ER fellowship / internship. I know a nurse friend of mine that did that and she absolutely loved it. She also received all these very helpful certifications that were part of her fellowship program.

Thanks for the suggestion. I would love to get into an internship/fellowship for the ER. I had applied a couple years ago for one when I was in travel nursing. We were going to stay in Cali for one that was at a Trauma Hospital. But the session I was applying for was cancelled. I'm going to check into that and see if they have any where we plan on moving.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

I got crispy working PCU/ICU and switched to the ER. Best move I ever made!

You should switch as soon as you can! Good luck!!

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