Burnout in the first year

NYNewGrad · May 16, 2006

Yep, Im at the same stage.

Getting bored and frustrated on medsurg after only 6 months. Having just started an NP program is my only comfort, knowing that 'll move on soon (looooong three whole years....).

llg, PhD, RN · May 16, 2006

To the OP: Be careful about taking on more stress than you can handle. That's one of the leading causes of burnout. You may find that can't finish that NP program or have some sort of a breakdown in the middle of trying to do too much at one time.

Most people are better off either solving their problems at work or finding a less stressful job rather than "killing themselves." Think about it ... if you had a patient suffering from the effects of stress, would you recommend they take on more stress?

If you don't learn to take care of your personal needs ... you will have nothing to give to your patients ... and you may even find that you have totally burned yourself out and have nothing left with which to make a good life for yourself.

Develop ways to deal with the stress (or find a less stressful nursing job) so that you can be a happy and productive person. Burning yourself out is rarely a wise choice.

Good luck,

llg

shape0fmyheart · May 18, 2006

Unfortunately, every night I go to work I feel the same exact way, and I can tell you that a good majority of my coworkers do as well... even ones who have been there for a long time. We have too many patients, too much work, and not enough staff.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · May 18, 2006

I have been an RN for 10 months now. I have bad days like everyone else but honestly, for the most part, I really enjoy working on my med/surg/tele unit. I really like what I do as an RN and feel satisfied with my work. I love it when I finish what I need to do so that i can spend some more "quality" time with my pts, doing some teaching, so that they really understand their plan of care and what is happening. I can't do this all the time, but usually it's not too bad where I work. I do however want more autonomy and responsibility which is why I just began grad school to become an NP. But for right now, I'm fine with being an RN.

-Christine

grinnurse, RN · May 18, 2006

OP I can totally relate to the burnout. I have just completed 11 months out of that magical first year and though I love Med/Surge and nursing and know that I chose the right profession I am tired!! But mostly what I am tired of is not the patient care part of the job, it's all the BS of hospital politics. The lack of "safe" staffing for the level of care patients that I take care of, the lack of "safety" for my license, and the fact that you get termed "NOT" a team player b/c you refuse to take more patients b/c of safety issues. This past month I have refused 3 times to take an admission b/c I have started out with 7 with no aide, working a split hall, or help of any kind!!

Alas though, I have found the solution and am actually looking forward to changing hospitals. I begin a new job at a new hospital in June working PRN, making 2xs the salary that I am making now. I had also thought about upping my SSRI but didn't think that would be the solution if I stayed in the same environment. I will miss the people that I work with but for my sanity and the health of my family I am finding the change necessary. I know that all hospitals don't run the same from clinical experiences that I had.

Thank goodness for this forum.

PedsRNBSN · May 19, 2006

I CAN"T SAY THIS ENOUGH....LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB!!!! I too was just not happy doing hospital nursing, and most of it was due to the politics. I did not want to be this person that griped and complained all the time....UGH!! So, I looked and found...without looking for more than two days (I know this is rare) my dream job. I work in an ASC and have learned so much, work four tens, off every Fri-Sun and LOVE it.....happiness is out there, just don't think that because you only have a year of experience it can't happen. Actually two more of my coworkers have also found jobs in ASC's!! I am from atlanta...where are you? PM me if you like, I might know of some places in Atlanta where you may be happy.

Good luck....

Kelly

Blessone · May 19, 2006

Kelly,

I am interested in knowing what ASC stand for and what are some names of hospitals that you would recommend?

-Bless One

PedsRNBSN · May 20, 2006

ASC means Ambulatory Sugery Center...it is basically day surgery. There are many of these places out there and sometimes they are affiliated with hospitals....sometimes they are free standing and associated more with physicians offices. What I like is that basically pts are there for procedures or sugery; and it is easy to have time to explain to them your part and what is going to happen to them. I also am incredibly less stressed and have a lot more time with family. I am home for dinner and have all weekends off. I go home completely satisfied with what I do...and look forward to work each day.

sunnyjohn · May 20, 2006

I CAN"T SAY THIS ENOUGH....LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB!!!! I too was just not happy doing hospital nursing, and most of it was due to the politics. I did not want to be this person that griped and complained all the time....UGH!! So, I looked and found...without looking for more than two days (I know this is rare) my dream job. I work in an ASC and have learned so much, work four tens, off every Fri-Sun and LOVE it.....happiness is out there, just don't think that because you only have a year of experience it can't happen. Actually two more of my coworkers have also found jobs in ASC's!! I am from atlanta...where are you? PM me if you like, I might know of some places in Atlanta where you may be happy.
Good luck....
Kelly

ITA!

I am sure folks get burned out, and I know nurses all over deal with terrible conditions but I really believed that if people left toxic work enviroment BEFORE they sucked the life out of them, it would really help. That facility may not be yoru cup of tea.

brattyone · May 20, 2006

burnout is really a problem is our profession. i had to learn the hard way. i was taking care of everyone else except for me and at about my 7th year i decided something had to change. i made it through nursing school raising two kids on my own. my ex was court ordered to pay child support and spousal support. that was a joke! he decided that he wasn't going to and he didn't, he managed to avoid not only his obligation to support his own children, but he chose to step out of their lives as well. the irony regarding the spousal support was although our marriage lasted 12 years, the ca law states he would be obligated to pay until i remarried or died. all i requested to my attorney's dismay, that my ex pay for 5 years, long enough to get my nursing degree. this may not seem to be following the topic. my point is burnout begins in nursing school and flows into our career. take care of yourself first! mind, body and spirit. if your own needs are ignored you aren't going to enjoy life to the fullest. my advice is to start taking care of yourself now. the sooner the better. you deserve it! life is meant to be enjoyed not endured. your career is young. take charge of you. write a careplan for yourself and see if your needs are being met, you may be surprised at what you find. good luck! i hope this helps...

indigo girl · May 20, 2006

I could not agree with you more!! You should start out making YOU, a priority. You can not take good care of others if you don't do this. Scheduling specific benefits for yourself right from the beginning of your nursing career will pay off in a BIG way. I read the question somewhere,

"if you don't take care of your body, where will you live?" I always liked to think of that anytime I was tempted to do more than I could reasonably be expected to do, or if I wanted to not exercise, or to eat fast food because it was more convenient. Someone has to be your advocate. Nurses can be so self-abusive. Stress is a killer. Take steps now to be kind to yourself, and safeguard body/mind/spirit by looking at ways to do this. I really like the careplan idea. That is so smart!