burned out and fed up

sjoe · Oct 6, 2002

igflamini--sad to say, your story is all too familiar. at least you realize it's NOT JUST YOU, and hopefully don't take on a pile of guilt and feelings of inadequacy, as many people do. you'll find your own solution, whether it includes nursing in hospitals or not.

streetwise · Oct 6, 2002

Hi,

I hear you on burn out. I am going through nursing school too. It is real frustrating. I am also an EMT. I did a real bad car accident yesterday. I am burned out in that field. I am sick of people being dumb. I had to deal with a 7 year old male who flew from the back seat of a car to the front and hit the winshield with his head. He stoped talking after a few minutes. vitals went down hill. Mom had rib fx's neck injury and brocken arms.

Seeing and dealing with this stuff day in and day out kills people. i found that excersise and taking breaks helps for that particular moment. If you find a cure PLEASE let me know.

Thanks.!!

Youda · Oct 7, 2002

I just posted this on another thread. So if you read both of them, forgive the repeat, but I think this needs to be said here, too. It's a lifeline.

Six weeks ago, I was having panic attacks everyday on my way to work. It finally occurred to me that I was becoming unsafe to myself and was no longer functioning at my best at my job.

So, I prayed about it and felt that taking a leave of absence was the right thing to do. And, it has been a life saver to me.

Anyone who has been at their job for at least a year, has worked at least 1250 hours during that year, AND their employer has at least 50 employees at all facilities combined within a 50 mile radius of your worksite, then you can take a Family and Medical Leave for nurse burnout. The law provides that you can use your accrued sick AND vacation time (so it turns out not to be an unpaid leave if you have any benefits accrued). You don't have to tell them why you're on leave. You don't have to give them anymore notice than you are able to give. They can't refuse or deny it.

FMLA can be used for nurse burnout, according to the definitions in the law. It says any "serious mental or physical condition." And burnout definitely qualifies for that!

Some employers also allow a personal leave. But, the FMLA protects you in every possible way. They can't even count it as an "absence!"

I walked in, filled out their stupid FMLA form and walked away for 6 weeks. I talk to the other nurses from time to time, and they are doing just fine. Yeah, they had to jiggle the schedule. So what? I made ME the most important person in the universe for a change, and decided whatever I needed to do to feel better, that's what was going to happen.

Going FMLA doesn't solve the problems of nursing. But, it can give you some time to regroup, get some help, talk with your doctor, look for another job, take walks outside, and learn to enjoy life again.

Please don't continue to suffer under burnout! There are ways to deal with it. I've found them, and so can you. Maybe you don't believe in God, but I do. I talked to Him a lot to guide me, and I really feel like this last six weeks gave me a new lease on life and my nursing. Step back and take a breather. Be happy! Don't do like I did and keep going until you were in as bad of shape as I was! Please don't do that to yourself. Go on a leave. Use your hard earned sick and vacation time on yourself! Go FMLA!

mario_ragucci · Oct 7, 2002

Heh - when I consider burning out, I also LISTEN to Neil Young. He has a cool perspective on burning out. He said, "It's better to burn out, than to fade away, My My, Hey Hey"

He also said, "once your gone, you can't come back, when your out of the blue, and into the black." What this means is that: If you burn yourself out mentally, and destroy your own neuro connections, the damage is forever. So if your getting old, go right ahead and burn out, and don't go quietly into the night.

Alley Cat · Oct 7, 2002

Yes, this sounds familiar:) Our facility has been doing on-going QWL surveys the last few years; every time I take it, I've just switched positions and never know for sure how to fill it out, usually go with the previous job. My burnout score has been high on all 3; haven't figured out whether it's the facility (hospital-based) or nursing itself. (I'm thinking it's the former, I've worked too hard too many years to give up nursing!) :nurse: :bluecry1:

Don't give up on finding your niche, but also keep in mind that if management/administration is the source of your grief, you're going to find the same problems elsewhere. Methinks administrators take classes on how to torment the masses

I love how you analyze your problem; it gives me food for thought in my situation. Thank you for sharing!

Hey Cheerfuldoer--good to see you! I've wondered before if you were an instructor; remembering the ones I've had that were excellent, it fits! :specs:

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by sjoe
for myself I can tell when I am quite burned out because I completely lose any shred of compassion I might ever have had.

I think I am starting to lose my sense of compassion myself, although, I am trying REALLY HARD not to. Like Mario, I work in a Trauma hospital, and I am getting quite tired of the drunk drivers and smart-a$$ gang-bangers. About 1/3 of our Pt's go through DT's during their stay on our floor, and they can be rough to handle. More and more, unit Pt's are being sent to us because of bed shortages. We could handle these Pt's if we weren't already taking 7 and 8 Pt's already. The tough thing is that I am a Trauma nurse to the core. I left the job for a year and a half and went agency before, but I missed the place. In the next few months, we are transitioning into a step-down unit (like we haven't been doing that already!) I'm hoping that officially being deemed a step-down unit will mean a lighter Pt. load, but I don't see where they will get the staff to achieve this. I used to have a great attitude and a good sense of humor and teamwork on the job, but now it's getting harder to keep focus. Part of this is an overwhelming feeling at times that I am not performing at peak level. And I, too am suffering from headaches and upset stomach as well as panic attacks at times when I have to go in. I'm thinking of getting a degree in Biology and working in research or something- anything but Pt care, and this is distressing to me, because I had wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. What do you guys suggest? I am currently PRN at the time because of school, but I've been working full time hours.

nimbex, RN · Oct 7, 2002

I've had "BURN OUT" twice. The first time, we moved 700 miles and I changed from a MICU type unit to CCU.

It's now taken almost 6 years!!! and again I have burn out. I kept saying "I love my job, it's just the..............", No, I love my job it's just the....."

I came to realize... I loved the FAMILIARITY of my job and the comfort of knowing what to expect no matter how crappy it is. Facility is wonderful, need a change.

Big difference.!!!! If you have burn out from your job, your JOB IS THE PROBLEM, PERIOD. THe idea of change..... very scary at times.

Some days you just have to take the plunge into dark waters...and hope to find the fountain of youth!!!

Spoken by a 6 year CCU nurse, now interviewing at NICU, scared sh**less of the change, but just plain ........DONE.

Sorry it's strongly opinionated, just feeling strongly.

nimbex, RN · Oct 7, 2002

PS, isn't nursing so WONDERFUL and diverse that one can do home health, education, hospice, surgery, MD office, floor nursing , management , administration, ER, ICU, PACU, and even birth babies.....

With so much ahead of us, why stay where you are burnt out?

Youda · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by nimbex
I came to realize... I loved the FAMILIARITY of my job and the comfort of knowing what to expect no matter how crappy it is. Facility is wonderful, need a change.

Big difference.!!!! If you have burn out from your job, your JOB IS THE PROBLEM, PERIOD. THe idea of change..... very scary at times.

nimbex, thank you! Every now and then, there's a post that just hits home and puts into words something that hadn't gotten into my conscious mind yet. That sure says it! "Better the devil you know than the one you don't"

I think I'm close to making a decision about keeping my job (NOT!). And, you're right, it's scary!

live4today, RN · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by Alley Cat
.............................
Hey Cheerfuldoer--good to see you! I've wondered before if you were an instructor; remembering the ones I've had that were excellent, it fits!

Awwwww....Alley Cat......how very tweet of you! :blushkiss

Dave Frederick · Oct 7, 2002

Taking back our power might help. May I suggest a solution.

I think we can corrent all of the major problems in nursing by simply having all of us take the same day off. Let's say February 11th, 2003, all nurses on duty go home and no, I repeat no nurse comes into work that day. This would include all LPNS, RNs, ADNs, BSNs, MSNs, and RN/Phds. Exactly 24 hours later we return to work and see have some meaningful discussion with the powers in charge.

rebelwaclause, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by mario_ragucci
Heh - when I consider burning out, I also LISTEN to Neil Young. He has a cool perspective on burning out. He said, "It's better to burn out, than to fade away, My My, Hey Hey"

He also said, "once your gone, you can't come back, when your out of the blue, and into the black." What this means is that: If you burn yourself out mentally, and destroy your own neuro connections, the damage is forever. So if your getting old, go right ahead and burn out, and don't go quietly into the night.