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Discussion

Burned out on night shift

I've been a nurse for over 3 years, always on nights. I've always worked med/surg with a specialty in oncology, which basically means we prefer to have currently being treated oncology patients on the floor that have med/surg issues, but we also do hematology/GI too,with the occasional ortho/neuro overflow. To me, med/surg/oncology is usually more like a PCU type care because they have TWO issues which are making them sick enough to be in the hospital, but that's another story. I'm going to give you a little backstory on my life so you'll understand my question more...

The first 700+ bed hospital I worked at was busy, busy, busy ALL THE TIME! You didn't dream of going on break until 2-3 AM. 40 rooms on the floor, patients waited 36 hours in the ER for a bed. We had rapid responses/codes at least once a week. I learned SO much there and got to see things I probably never would have seen anywhere else (when they tell you someone will bleed out in twenty minutes from a burst esophageal varices - believe them. I've never seen that much blood on the floor in my life.), It was block room assignments where you got what you got in room 1-5, no questions asked. It was trying though, and eventually, I moved on to be closer to my family.

I'm now at a smaller hospital (250 beds) doing the same thing, 20+ beds on the floor, if patients wait 3 hours in the ER for a bed they complain. Still a 1:5-6 ratio, but it's "acuity assignments" which means my patients can be all over and generally are. From Nov-Mar we are packed, the summer, sometimes we drop down to 12-15 patients. The patients here, however, for the most part, are clearly not as sick. I haven't had a code in 18 months, knock on wood. Only a handful of rapid responses. I did my chemo cert hoping that would add some interest, but I've learned, I really don't care to learn about ALL the different types of chemo out there, as it changes so frequently depending on the doctor, what's the point? We are bare bones staffing at night. 3-4 nurses, 2 techs, if we are luck, a free charge nurse (if not, one of the nurses has 6 patients and charge duties).

So here's my question - does working days add more interest, diversity? I think that's where I've lost my spark, because the floor is so small, nights is so BORING at times. There are a few other people to talk to, but if you aren't "friendly" with the right click, you are an outsider forever. This hospital has 2 year contract requirements for any transfer to higher level care training (PCU, ICU, L&D, NICU), and I'm not really hot on signing another contract. Thought about traveling, but seems that travel is a little rough right now too.

Basically, I'm just looking to my allnurses friends for a little bit of positive suggestion as to how to get my nursing interest sparked again! Thanks all.

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    I am burned out on med surg nights also and have been since about the three year mark but still keep ending up with managers who want to put me in that slot. I did go back and recently earned a Masters in Nursing Leadership online from GCU and this helped me to get through another year and a half of med surg and kept me more engaged and interested. But now I want to use it and be a manager in med surg and make a great working and patient care environment. I got fired for trying to give suggestions to my supervisor at work who has only an associates in nursing and has no interest in even allowing me to do charge nurse. It is ridiculous how petty and competitive nurses are and I am not all about sabotaging other people. If anything, I will help you out and help you reach your goals.

    Anyway, Then I had a recent possible job I applied to the ER and the supervisor hijacked my application and made it be for med/surg nights. After eight years as a nurse and having a MSN the last thing I want is med/surg nights. I went to part time before I got fired and I think that is about all I can tolerate. Of course they declined my availability as only part time so maybe I will lose my unemployment. But the thought of full time med/surg nights where I am unable to earn a promotion or go forward and learn a specialty is extremely depressing. So the only thing I could think to do to get out of it was say, hey, I can do it but only part time.

    So that is my advice - try to go part -time or take some classes to keep yourself mentally stimulated outside of work. Or look for a job in a specialty field of nursing.

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    • Experts

    OP, sit down and list all the different areas in which a nurse can work, including advanced practice and

    some far out things like cruise ship nursing or a hospital in Saudi Arabia or joining the military.

    Then grade them by degree of interest you have in them.

    Then go down the list and whittle it again. Keep doing this until you see what interests you the most.

    Proceed accordingly from there.

    With ICU experience, you could become a CRNA.

    Best wishes.

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    I worked night shift for 30+ years at our local 100-bed hospital. There were times I found it tough, but things always change. A CNA who had worked with me 10 years herself on nights asked me how I do it (continue working nights). My answer to her was as soon as I get done with one vacation, I start planning for my next. In our hospital it wasn't unusual to ask 6 months and up to 1 year for time off during the summer months. It gave me something to look forward to. What clinicals did you enjoy? If you are willing to work outside the hospital, then there are even more possibilities-camp nurse, parish nurse, occupational nursing for a large employer especially since you are probably ACLS certified from working ICU, office nursing, and just look at this web site under specialties for ideas. One reason I liked nights so much, is less chiefs (administration) than on days, and I don't like to teach-something not expected on night shift, except for admission teaching for those from ER. Also, on nights, one is more aware of what is happening in the house, and not just on your own floor. But I never did work in a hospital where I am only an employee number (all the head and shift charge nurses knew our names) or the floors are so specialized that you are treating basically the same thing day-after-day. Well, I do get wordy, but I can add on if anyone is interested.

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