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Yep, I was feeling extreme burnout. I had been working bedside in L&D/OB my entire career, and after 5 years, I felt like I was stagnating, and itching to learn something new. I also felt like a glorified waitress whenever I worked mother-baby. So I started putting out feelers for other areas of nursing. After about 4 months, I was hired to work in perinatal research - still with the demographic I was used to and love, but not as a bedside nurse. I've now moved on to other things, but I've never regretted leaving the bedside, and never intend to return to it.
I've suffered from burn-out many times over my career, and recovered just as many times. Sometimes all you need is a change of shift. If you're on nights, switch to days. If you're on days, switch to nights for a month or two. Sometimes a lateral transfer is required, and sometimes only a different hospital will do. It depends on what exactly is causing your burn-out: politics? Visitors? Patients? Maybe try a different specialty. Then make it a priority to take care of yourself first. Don't skip breaks, make sure you eat healthy and sleep well. Good luck!
Thanks everyone. Klone, I wish I did something like you to get out of the bedside. I work mom/baby and you are right, I'm just the patients over paid server. I love the people I work with, but I just need to get out. Do you have any suggests on what I can do? You can PM me if you would like. Any advice would be great!
Lizzie21
204 Posts
Hey everyone,
I am feeling so burnt out right now from my job. Bedside care is really taking a hit to me. Has anyone found a job where they still did nursing but didn't do the clinical bedside aspect of it? Did you like this job? I feel like I need a serious change and have no idea how to do it.