Burnout in transition to FNP

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I am currently working in a ICU on a weekend package contract. Fri and Sat nights only, so that I can focus on my FNP school during the week and do clinicals. I graduate in August 2017. My current job is sucking this life out of me. I stay bc I love my co-workers and the pay is unbeatable (extra 7.50/hr for the contract work). I have been at this hospital for 7 years. Last year, a new mega company bought us out and moral has plummeted. I keep telling myself I will stick it out until I am done with FNP school. "I can do this. Its only a few more months."

The problem, is that I don't feel like I can do this. I feel sick thinking about going to work. I still love my co-workers but I hate going to that job every weekend. Hate it. So much so, that I have caught myself thinking that I don't even want to be a nurse anymore.... which is horrible bc I am on the brink of having a Master's Degree in a profession I am growing to despise.

I need out. There is a decent nursing home not far from me that I plan on looking into. They would have to honor my set schedule though. They appear to be in dire need of nurses right now, so I am hopeful they can work something out with me. But here are the things holding me back- I hold the insurance for my family. My husband does not work for medical reasons. I can only work part time and I fear there will be a lapse in coverage. I will take a pay cut of at least 10 or more dollars an hour if I take a job in a SNF. The pay cut is temporary- things will be tight. Is my happiness and overall well being worth the lesser pay? I have worked in nursing homes before and it was hard. But is it harder than what I already do now? SNF is not my ideal job, but I think it will get me by for now. I do not want to apply to another hospital bc of my impending graduation. I think a SNF would be better, as the orientation process is less and they typically have a higher turn over anyways. I am nervous. I do not know what I should do. My husband tells me to go for it. Am I just being a big baby about it? Should I just stick it out? Or should I give myself a breath of fresh air for a few months before I transition into the FNP role?

What are your opinions or experiences with this?

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Why do you specifically hate it and where do you want to practice as a FNP?

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Go for it, and look in the yellow pages/online for an independent insurance agent who will be quite competent to help you get affordable health insurance. Do it now before the small-fingered one figures out a way to prevent it.

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Staff moral. High expectations without sufficient resources. Poor treatment by admins. Fear of being fired for speaking up. The whole place has just gone down hill. And just general burnout.

I am not quite sure where I want to practice as an NP. I start my adult rotation this month and that will help me narrow down what I want to do. I do think I want to specialize though.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I hear what you say. I am pretty much at the same spot (graduating in August 2017) and quietly starting to get tired of my current job. No clear reason for that - I work only one, at most two, shifts per week, no problems... but I just cannot stand to be treated like an overqualified waitress anymore. I progressed tremendously in my medical knowledge over last year, and It just plain sucks life out of me to be so stupidly limited in my actions, and it is just getting worse. We now cannot apply an ice pack for fever without Holy Physician Order :madface:

I thought about switching to a specialty, like dialysis, but with about 6 months at most left, it doesn't look like an action making any sense. So I decided to suck it up till summer but not a day after I wake up as MSN.

I wouldn't advice LTC job unless you work in this setting before and know what it is all about. Also, "decent" places usually do not go as far as being "desperate" for nursing staff.

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Good point. I just don't feel like I can work one more shift at the hospital. I have worked at a snf before. It was not ideal. But I think I could make it work for a few months

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It sounds like the Mega corp took over about the time you were deep into your FNP program so your burnout could be related to the heavy course load in addition to work and supporting your family.

No matter how much the perceived morale is down it is the devil you know aka you can practice proficiently despite reduced resources, and it is short term.

If you haven't worked in SNF in 7+ years then you are no different than any nurse who thinks their past experience mirrors current working conditions. You could likely be exchanging one intolerable situation for another, but you will layer on a learning curve that could be a steep one.

I would instead work on attitude and perspective to pull me through until graduation.

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Thinking no place is going to be willing to hire you when you tell them that you have to have a specific schedule for school. Not because of the schedule but why hire and orient someone who's just going to quit in 8 months? I wouldn't.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

Honestly, as much as it sucks, I would just stay and tough it out. There are too many factors at play here for changing jobs at this time, your health insurance, the fact that your schedule is ideal, and the fact that it is only another 6 months, until your get your NP and will be leaving (probably) again. Starting a new job is a lot of stress and then doing it TWICE. I personally would stay and just do your job, keep my mouth shut and not do any extra shifts. You can do it! It will be worth it in the end!

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Thinking no place is going to be willing to hire you when you tell them that you have to have a specific schedule for school. Not because of the schedule but why hire and orient someone who's just going to quit in 8 months? I wouldn't.

She doesn't have to tell them how close she is to graduation.

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Has the new administration actually changed things up or are people just apprehensive? It may not necessarily be the bad news you are anticipating.

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She doesn't have to tell them how close she is to graduation.

You really don't think they'll ask?

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