Burned out from floor nursing, need advice, please..

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I have been an RN since 2009 so I'm going on three years and I feel as though I might want out of healthcare altogether.. My initial desire when I went into nursing was to be able to be a servant to others and to show Christ to all those that I was to come in contact with. I made it through a BSN program and I feel as though clinicals did not give me a good picture of what nursing was all about. For example, the max amount of patients I was given was one and the patients were relatively all 'easy' looking back in hindsight.

There were definitely some red flags as I went through nursing school however, so I can't completely blame the lack of experience from clinicals.

To give some background, I have worked on a surgical unit and then for the past year I have worked on a medical unit that also cares for stroke and cancer patients, both of these being in a busy hospital setting. I have only worked the night shift to this point, as I would not be able to handle the stress of working days with all the many discharges, admissions, doctors and families running around as well. I have come to the conclusion that I may just not be cut out for nursing. I get incredibly stressed before each shift, and the unpredictability I fear may send me to an early grave. I have learned alot about myself from nursing, and I dream of a job/career that is predictable where I don't have to fear what kind of assignment I will be given as I'm driving to the job site.

Working nights has also taken a toll on me and my relationship with my wife. All my friends and family members keep asking when I plan on moving to the day shift and I feel my ego is keeping me from telling them I will never be able to do the day shift working as a nurse because I just can't handle the stress... Thankfully my wife supports me and she agrees that I need to look for a different job. On the floor I work now we take 6-7 patients a night which I feel is completely unsafe as some of them are so incredibly sick and needy. Some friends have recommended doing critical care or working in a clinic. I know I would not be able to handle the stress of doing ICU nursing with those type of patients. Also, I have never seen male nurses working in any clinic that I have been to.

I need some ideas, please. It's gotten so bad that I'm to the point of driving home from work and I see some guy mowing for a lawn service and I am envious of his job.

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I also wanted to add that my job seems to consist of rapidly giving meds as fast as possible, charting, and checking charts. I don't have time to shoot the breeze with my patients and talk to them for very long. So much for ministering to them, I barely have time to give meds, do a quick assessment, then I have to duck my head and get into the next room while my other 4 patients are hitting their call light for various reasons. I rarely have time to use the restroom much less talk to my patients and heaven's sakes there is never time for a break.

It's gotten so bad that I have considered drinking alcohol - something I never would have dreamed before I got into nursing. I'm just so depressed and burned out..

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

I'm sorry you're burnt out, frazzled. You do have 3 years of experience, though. Do you work for a large hospital system? Have you considered an internal transfer for a nursing (non-clinical) position? Those are competitive for obvious reasons (as you have already stated), but don't know until you try.

Sounds like you need to use some PTO time, too. You sound very stressed. Honestly, 7 patients is a lot, but that's the norm on nights it seems on medical floors. That's why I like the ICU; they're critical, but I feel I can provide good care with 2 patients (we don't have CNA's, total care). You mentioned you wouldn't consider ICU...is it the acuity that bothers you? If so, then don't bother with it, no sense in going from one kind of stress to another.

That would be my suggestion, though. It sounds like you need to take a vacation with your wife or just go away for the weekend and then find a new nursing job, checking out what is offered internally first so you could stay in your hospital system. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I hear you. I've been a nurse for a year and a half and I don't imagine staying in bedside nursing for longer than 2 or 3 more years. It isn't worth it, and nursing in general is only going to get worse in that respect. Can you cut back on your hours at least? Months ago, I've stopped picking up as many shifts. This helps. I see myself eventually going PRN, travel nursing, or working in a clinic. Have you considered these options?

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Look into case management if you can. I made the switch from ICU when I burned out. I was tired of nights, would have switched to days...but with a 5 year plus wait list to switch to days, I was looking for a miracle. I got my miracle in a friend calling me about a case management job. It's normal hours, I see my son every night when I get home from work. I just spent my first holiday off in years with my family instead of sleeping the day away. I like it, but it's not for everyone.

The advantage of nursing is there is a good chance there is something out there you would actually enjoy.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Wait...so you got into nursing so that you could convert people to your particular brand of Christianity and now you're upset that you can't do that because you're too busy?

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

definitely, i'm sorry that you're going through this, however, as we all know nursing has many branches to offer. therefore, you can go into opc, mgmt., or any other specialty that you might feel your capable of performing. wishing you the very best in all of your future endeavors...aloha~

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You have seen the reality of nursing .. after only 3 years.

Kudos to you. You are NOT weak, just observant.

As you have 3 years of experience, a nursing position away from the bedside is easily obtainable.

Search this site and the web for opportunities.

In the meantime, consider agency nursing. It will provide an income and an opportunity to network.

Good luck , keep us posted.

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

I have got to say, the agency/travel nursing is a great idea! You are much more in control of the hours. You CAN do it locally. If an assignment sucks, it's extremely temporary. The money is better. There are really good assignments. Find a good assignment local to you, with your 3 years experience- it will turn your whole life around!

I was able to make 4 X my annual pay in just 5 months. Of Course I worked longer- but my point is: you can take MORE time off, Explore NON-NURSING activities on the side (I bought a country general store in another state, LOVE IT! And, You will have the money to save for retirement, vacations, and the best part- (getting teary) I told my wife to quit the job that was killing her!

I have never been happier- she was off while I was, and took the the time to find a job she loved.

Just look in to it. It comes with alot of freedom! It is extremely refreshing, and I even love the "travel." It's nothing to work with another nurse who paid her house of within a year, or a guy who got out of $132K in debt. I felt like each trip was a new honeymoon- and it keeps me young. Just do your research on the hospital before you go, Soooooooo EASY with google now to see what your getting into, and gauge other's perspectives before you go.

And on your "males" in clinic nursing- you would be surprised. I was a Pediatric Cardiology Nurse for 1.5 years at a large Univ Med Ctr. Their were several other males, but the pay REALLY sucks!!! like 1/2 what I made at first job with no experience.

Definetly find the right "fit" before you burn out, and enter a deep depression. You have found courage to speak out, now find the confidence to sell your skills at a much better premium- and for less stress, time, and investment in the facility (you won't have to be part of the "politics," drama, and tension because your just "moving through" the facility.

Good Luck!! Awesome amount of light at the end of the tunnel for you!!!!!!

Boston (another "Manurse). Lol, I just can't say Male- . . . you know!!!! Lol!!!!

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Specializes in Oncology.

Some ideas:

Would it be possible to work in the education dept?

Admit nurse (not sure if they have those in your area)

Hospice (ministering really comes into play here)

Home health

Diabetes educator

case manager

QA

Sounds like you just need to find your niche.

~millie

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Specializes in Oncology.

Some more ideas.....

I did peds before, much easier than the oncology med/surg floor I work on now.

Ask around about other floors. 4-5pts on day shift is manageable.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Frazzled,

You might try ICU or ER to begin with. I have worked med/surg, ER and ICU. There is no comparison. Med/surg is possibly the most difficult job in any hospital. I would recommend ER or ICU for you. With your med/surg experience both would be much more relaxed and doable for you. Think how great it would be to take care of only 2 ICU patients instead of 6. There are a lot of nights that I only have one patient and sometimes they aren't even very sick. You would also find ER much easier too. Typically only 4 patients. Most of the time the ER patients aren't even sick. Of course they think they are.

It's good that you started your career in med/surg because it is an excellent skill builder. But now you need to take those skills and go to another department.

I have done both travel nurse and agency nursing. That is not an easy way to go. You can possibly make more money, and pick your own days to work. But you are always walking into an arena where you are the outsider. Staff resents you for the supposedly great money you make. And you typically get no orientation at each new place. In order to work agency you need to be able walk in and start to work with little /no coaching. I did it for 4 years and really got to dilike it even though some places are great to work at.

You have mentioned "ministering" to patients. Have you thought about becoming a preachor, pastor, minister as a new profession? Wishing you all the best and hope you are able to find the right job for you.

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