Burnt Out As A New Nurse

[RNa23]

Hello, Everyone, I’m a brand new nurse. I have been working as an RN for a month now. I’m already so exhausted and burnt out. I work 3 12’s on the weekend nights, and have classes from 0800-1600 Tuesday-Thursday during the week for my organization. I get about one day off at this point. I’m physically and mentally exhausted. I have encountered a lot of drama because other nurse’s really enjoy eating their young. I have dealt with lies and accusations for weeks. My management doesn’t even ask for my side half the time. I just get my butt chewed out and sent back to the floor. As there any tips for combatting other nurses eating me alive and exhaustion with all the hours I am working? 

[JKL33]

Quote

I work 3 12’s on the weekend nights, and have classes from 0800-1600 Tuesday-Thursday during the week for my organization.

Why are they doing things this way? What classes? That's a lot of OT.

14 minutes ago, Aly P. said:

I’m physically and mentally exhausted.

Yes, that's a lot of hours during the learning process and the flipping sleep schedule back and forth twice a week isn't helping either

16 minutes ago, Aly P. said:

I have encountered a lot of drama because other nurse’s really enjoy eating their young.

Meh, not really that simple.

17 minutes ago, Aly P. said:

I have dealt with lies and accusations for weeks. My management doesn’t even ask for my side half the time. I just get my butt chewed out and sent back to the floor.

Need examples. What are you being accused of and why are you being chewed out by your manager?

18 minutes ago, Aly P. said:

Is there any tips for combating other nurses eating me alive and exhaustion with all the hours I am working?  

I hear you, but you need to break things down a little more critically. Even though you are exhausted, try to take the emotions out of it and just evaluate the overall situation. You are not being eaten alive, though I'm sure what you are going through is stressful.  It's very easy to unintentionally match drama for drama when stressed. It's somewhat a natural reaction. But if you want solutions you have to examine things to know where to go.

[RNa23]

32 minutes ago, Aly P. said:

Hello, Everyone, I’m a brand new nurse. I have been working as an RN for a month now. I’m already so exhausted and burnt out. I work 3 12’s on the weekend nights, and have classes from 0800-1600 Tuesday-Thursday during the week for my organization. I get about one day off at this point. I’m physically and mentally exhausted. I have encountered a lot of drama because other nurse’s really enjoy eating their young. I have dealt with lies and accusations for weeks. My management doesn’t even ask for my side half the time. I just get my butt chewed out and sent back to the floor. Is there any tips for combating other nurses eating me alive and exhaustion with all the hours I am working? 

I have been accused of stealing narcotics (I was drug tested and the Pyxis was counted and there were no missing drugs), telling an NP what to do, yelling at a patient. When the patient and NP were asked questions they all were like that didn’t happen. I was apologized to after they screamed at me for all of this and almost fired me. 

[RNa23]

15 minutes ago, JKL33 said:

Why are they doing things this way? What classes? That's a lot of OT.

I have zero clue. I work about 52+ hours a week. I do know my educator is new and she made my schedule. 

[JKL33]

On 7/25/2022 at 1:36 AM, RNa23 said:

I have been accused of stealing narcotics (I was drug tested and the Pyxis was counted and there were no missing drugs), telling an NP what to do, yelling at a patient. When the patient and NP were asked questions they all were like that didn’t happen. I was apologized to after they screamed at me for all of this and almost fired me. 

If their big ooops hasn't changed their behavior and they have a pattern of treating people this way then I would start looking for another place to work. Life's too short for that mean-spirited foolishness.

On 7/25/2022 at 1:39 AM, RNa23 said:

I have zero clue. I work about 52+ hours a week. I do know my educator is new and she made my schedule. 

Unless you signed up to work this kind of schedule, tell them it isn't working and you need to be on a schedule for the number of hours you agreed to work. In the meantime be sure you have been paid all of your OT.

There are several reasons this is not sustainable. Emotionally it is not sustainable because there is no good reason for people to be treated this way. That matter is then compounded when we tolerate it--tolerating poor treatment is demoralizing and people begin to despise themselves. It's essentially two people saying you're not worth better treatment--the one who is treating you poorly and....yourself.

This situation is also mentally exhausting, as if there isn't enough mental work to be done when first entering a new profession.

And of course, it is also not sustainable from the standpoint of straight up physical exhaustion given the number of hours you're talking about. They aren't the most anyone's ever worked per week but they are significant given that you are trying to learn and this schedule wasn't your preference (as opposed to someone who is doing well, advancing toward competent/expert level and wants the extra money or something so picks up a lot of OT).

I think you need to ask for a meeting with your manager. If you choose to do this, lay out your concerns and needs VERY concisely. Don't waste a single word. Don't get baited into "unloading" which is a disaster where they get the opportunity to pick apart your words and feelings.

Lastly, avoid drama at (almost) all costs. If fellow nurses are unkind remember that you don't need to be that way and matching them tit for tat is just a fast downhill slope. Keep your head up and persevere in learning to take care of patients as best you can. If it seems the train is really off the tracks with them then look for a new place and just start over.

[RNa23]

On 7/25/2022 at 9:09 PM, JKL33 said:

If their big ooops hasn't changed their behavior and they have a pattern of treating people this way then I would start looking for another place to work. Life's too short for that mean-spirited foolishness.

Unless you signed up to work this kind of schedule, tell them it isn't working and you need to be on a schedule for the number of hours you agreed to work. In the meantime be sure you have been paid all of your OT.

There are several reasons this is not sustainable. Emotionally it is not sustainable because there is no good reason for people to be treated this way. That matter is then compounded when we tolerate it--tolerating poor treatment is demoralizing and people begin to despise themselves. It's essentially two people saying you're not worth better treatment--the one who is treating you poorly and....yourself.

This situation is also mentally exhausting, as if there isn't enough mental work to be done when first entering a new profession.

And of course, it is also not sustainable from the standpoint of straight up physical exhaustion given the number of hours you're talking about. They aren't the most anyone's ever worked per week but they are significant given that you are trying to learn and this schedule wasn't your preference (as opposed to someone who is doing well, advancing toward competent/expert level and wants the extra money or something so picks up a lot of OT).

I think you need to ask for a meeting with your manager. If you choose to do this, lay out your concerns and needs VERY concisely. Don't waste a single word. Don't get baited into "unloading" which is a disaster where they get the opportunity to pick apart your words and feelings.

Lastly, avoid drama at (almost) all costs. If fellow nurses are unkind remember that you don't need to be that way and matching them tit for tat is just a fast downhill slope. Keep your head up and persevere in learning to take care of patients as best you can. If it seems the train is really off the tracks with them then look for a new place and just start over.

This is fantastic advice! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my issues. 

[Wuzzie]

On 7/25/2022 at 1:36 AM, RNa23 said:

I have been accused of stealing narcotics

Run. Run far. Run fast. This could ruin your life. Anybody this malicious will not stop. I would consider getting an attorney and compelling them to reveal who did this. Then I would consider suing their *** into the next century. This happened to me. It did not end well. 

I’m normally not this reactive but having gone through almost the exact thing you’re going through I’m telling you this isn’t ever going to end. It’s only going to get worse. You will be defenseless and at the mercy of some very sick people. No job is worth it. Keep your head down, look for a new job even if it’s at Walmart and get the heck out of there. 

[RNa23]

48 minutes ago, Wuzzie said:

This happened to me. It did not end well. 

I am so sorry you went through this as well. It is so terrible. I don’t understand why people decide they hate you and become malicious. 

[Rita June Jarvis Isaac]

That is a lot you have gone through, it is mental and physically damaging. Whenever I am in such a toxic environment, I try to exit myself as the effects may be more costly to remain in that environment. The phenomenon of nurses eating their young is so real, but your exposure to it should I hope sensitize you from becoming abusive as well.  We say if you're abused, you will abuse as well, so beware. All the best, 

[MEDFET, CNA]

I agree with most responses. They seem to be just mean and rude. I saw similar scenarios in my years and surprisingly the accuser was the same person caught shopping through the med cart everyday for a personal supply of meds for herself. It never ends well unless the same people are working together and feel threatened you may discover their wrongdoings. If your not a rat just move on as the target is on your back because they are looking for something? That’s obviously a warning that they have there strategy together and you will be on the outs in any occupancy that something disappears. I have seen nurses use others access codes and many other tricks to set them up and so on. It is an experience and frankly if it’s starting this severe it won’t get better they have set the tone that u need not apply! Wake up the world is unfair during Obama whole time from election to holding his presidency I fit that stereotype and was most hated just being mixed myself! It hurts sure you cannot go up against lies and teachers pets but what’s waiting for you once you let go for being loyal will reward you trust in your faith don’t loose this fix that  wanna see you get strong and stop trying to kiss up to fit in if your not liked for being yourself keep it moving the worlds to large to stay anywhere that your license is in jeopardy or your mental state 

[MEDFET, CNA]

Hurt people hurt people! Misery loves company we heard all that before give this woman advice she can use your not talking to a 2 year old, just be direct and honest look they don’t like you! Nothing u will do will make them like you! Do you wanna stay someplace that they are gonna treat u like crap and I are busting your butt and still may set u up one day for unknown reason they slip u fall! Get it, now tuffy up k I’m helping u to see your heart is on your sleeve and sadly that is why they may envy you 

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

On 7/25/2022 at 1:01 AM, RNa23 said:

Hello, Everyone, I’m a brand new nurse. I have been working as an RN for a month now. I’m already so exhausted and burnt out. I work 3 12’s on the weekend nights, and have classes from 0800-1600 Tuesday-Thursday during the week for my organization. I get about one day off at this point. I’m physically and mentally exhausted. I have encountered a lot of drama because other nurse’s really enjoy eating their young. I have dealt with lies and accusations for weeks. My management doesn’t even ask for my side half the time. I just get my butt chewed out and sent back to the floor. Is there any tips for combating other nurses eating me alive and exhaustion with all the hours I am working? 

Are you working 3 12's in a row?  Plus school?   No wonder you are burnt out.  You have to pace yourself better if you are into working for the long game.  If you are working 52 hours a week plus school, that's not sustainable in nursing.