I've been an OB nurse for 11 years. It's really all I've ever done as a RN. (I did Med Surg and Home health as an aide.)
I've always loved it for the most part and am even newly enrolled in school to get my Master's Degree and become a CNM.
The past few weeks however, I am starting to wonder if I'm getting burnt out on OB. I feel frustrated with almost every aspect of my job. I go to work praying for a quiet shift with no labor patients. I feel dread when a new admit arrives. I'm just tired of frequent fliers that want to be induced at 2 am on Friday night because they're 38 weeks and bored with being pregnant. Or they're 35 weeks and trying to put themselves in labor because they're sick of being pregnant. Or they actually are in labor and deliver a nice healthy baby and aren't all that thrilled but want to know how soon they can go out to smoke.
It just feels like the vast majority of our patients are selfish and completely disinterested in what we have to teach them. They are always trying to take advantage of "the system". Mostly Medicaid patients who have no problem coming in 10 times before they're in labor for various lame reasons since they don't have to pay the bills.
Like I said, I am in school now to eventually become a CNM, so naturally I'm having second thoughts about that, too. One of the CNMs I work with just found out she's being sued by a patient in a frivolous suit in which she truly gave the best care she could. "Why do I want to do this again??"
I feel like a failure for considering backing out on this venture that I've begun, but I don't know if that is a good enough reason to continue. I still think I'd like to advance my degree, but maybe just a different one...
I don't know. These are all new thoughts and fairly new feelings for me so I don't know if it's just a passing phase or if I'm truly experiencing burn-out. The idea of quitting my job of 15 years and doing something brand new sound enticing...
Actually, I keep entertaining the idea of looking into hospice nursing. I highly doubt I'd experience the issues of frequent fliers or people looking to squeeze the system. I imagine these patients (and their families) would be much more grateful and I just think it might be more rewarding.
Thank you for a beautifully written post! I couldn't have said it all better myself!
I feel exactly the same as you about all of it!!
You did help me remember the reasons why I am doing what I am doing. I'm still uncertain what my future holds. I think right now I am just tired of floor nursing. I am keeping my eyes open for other options while I am still attending school. For now, I'm trying to hang in and just deal with my frustrations. I need my job and there aren't a ton of openings in my area right now.
Again, thank you for your post. I wish you all the best!
Specializes in Obstetrics/Case Management/MIS/Quality.
i really can sympathize with your situation as i have gone through this myself. i've worked for 9 years in a rural hospital as an l&d/nursery/mom-baby rn. i started to feel that "burned out" feeling and i left the hospital for a hospice position. three months into the hospice position, i realized that it was not for me! i left the position only to stay out of nursing for another three months. i truly didn't think i'd go back. i wound up taking a position at a large hospital in the nursery and i continue to work there as we speak, however, in my heart i really don't want to do this anymore. i just don't feel any excitement when i go to work...i just feel that "dread" feeling as i'm driving there in the morning and i can't wait to leave there at the end of the shift. i think i want to do something other than bedside nursing, so i will keep my eyes open to see what becomes available. i hope you find your niche...i hope i do too.
I too once had the dream of being a CNM and went through many sacrifices just attaining a BSN with that goal in mind. ( Now a BSN can basically be purchased by attending class one evening a week for 15 months ) So much has changed in OB in 20 years, I am glad I gave up the pursuit of nurse-midwifery. Our midwives are worse than the docs as far as inductions and interventions. EVERYONE gets an epidural even if they don't initially want one, they are convinced to get one by their trusted care provider. Probably 80-90% of our patients are induced. Our section rate is usually 40% or higher per month. Docs want 9-5 obstetrics and as I said the midwives are no better. I am so sick of it all and know I am burned out but am too close to retirement to think of moving around. I still have patients I do enjoy and just endure the others while giving them the good care they could care less about. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT to keep yourself out of trouble with the trouble-making entitled patients, that is all you can do.
QTbabynurse: I completely sympathize with your situation. It's no fun when the "spark" has gone from a job that you used to love. Best wishes finding your niche!
magz53: I'm so sorry to hear that the midwives you work with are worse than the docs! I work with 2 midwives. They are both great women, but practice very differently. One is pretty high tech, high epidural and induction rates. But, the other is my inspiration for going back to school. The vast majority of her births are amazing. It is truly about what the PATIENT wants. The lights are low, it is quiet and peaceful, much encouragement is given. She can be up, down, or in between and can deliver wherever she is most comfortable: standing, squatting, hands and knees, in the shower, etc... The births are truly beautiful and in my opinion are examples of how it should be 75% of the time, not 2% of the time.
I have been doing a lot of soul searching and I still believe I'm meant to go into midwifery. I just think that I may have to find an alternate place to practice. There are opportunities available in birth centers and private practices that do home births. I am just going to trust God to put me where He wants me when the time comes!
In the meantime, we'll see. If the right opportunity for change comes up...I might take it, I might not.
I do love taking care of women and babies. I could just do without all the rest!
Specializes in Walk in Clinic, ER, OR, LTC, Management.
I completely know what you feel. I've been a nurse for 14 years and after trying to change from office nurse to management, I then tried the OR. I am SO burned out on nursing right now and haven't worked for four months. I'd love to find a job where I can use my nursing knowledge, but don't want to do direct care. Because I don't have the "hospital" experience (five months in OR), I'm not a good candidate for teaching. I've thought about going back to school to get a master's degree in biology, but don't know what I can do work wise until then. What other avenues are there available besides direct patient care? Can anyone help me?
mommy2boysaz
288 Posts
mom2michael~
Thank you for a beautifully written post! I couldn't have said it all better myself!
I feel exactly the same as you about all of it!!
You did help me remember the reasons why I am doing what I am doing. I'm still uncertain what my future holds. I think right now I am just tired of floor nursing. I am keeping my eyes open for other options while I am still attending school. For now, I'm trying to hang in and just deal with my frustrations. I need my job and there aren't a ton of openings in my area right now.
Again, thank you for your post. I wish you all the best!