Burnt Out but still hanging in there! HELP!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Developmental Disablities.

Ugh just feeling burnt out with home health. I have been doing home health since 2008. Seems like we are just having more paperwork to do. Sitting in meetings every week instead of talking about patients its all about the politics of the field. None of my usual tricks such as buying a new set of scrubs or new stethoscope or BP cuff which would usually get me excited are no longer working. Just tired of the 250 + miles a day an the charting an paperwork I do when I get home. I have put in other applications but do not want to leave current position till I have another one secured. I have a family of 4 kids an husband an he can't support us by his self. Does anyone have any advice to get out of this funk I am in?:down:

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Man. I feel you. There are days that I feel like running and never looking back, but then the last couple of weeks our census has DROPPED crazy low, and I got to thinking... OMG what if I get laid off and have to go back to the hospital and omg the thought of that is horrific to me lol. The 13 hour shifts on my feet, never getting to see the seasons change colors, the freedom to stop off at the store if I need to, or to run to my doctor or dentist without it causing a hoopla. At the hospital I felt as if I were in a prison and while sometimes the paperwork feels like a prison, to me nothing is worse than the hospital :( I can take my kid to school in the morning and work decent hours. I think you need to do what makes you happy, whatever that may be but remember about the grass being greener... there is always something that seems better until you get there and realized what you are missing.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Developmental Disablities.

Well i had put in an application at the state school. Kinda spur of the moment this looks interesting kinda thing. I didn't complete it or submit it. They called me an asked me to finish it if I was still interested. 30 minutes after signing it I got a call to set up an interview for yesterday an after an hour long interview was hired on the spot. I start on Dec 1. with hours from 6 am -2pm an a 25 mintue commute. I am excited but still going what have I done. My coworker has jokingly said she would smack me if i turned this new job don since it is so much better for me. I will miss her I have learned a lot from her. my husband glad because he won't have to change the oil in car as much. i have a 1992 car with almost 4 hundred thousand miles ( can't afford a car payment right now so we just keep fixing this one) and the cost of tires . I had two blowouts in less than a month tires to fit are $100 an those are cheap ones. So I am an excited but nervous. Finally broke out of my home health comfort zone

:D

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Specializes in Home Health.

Awesome! Wish you the best!

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Home Health nursing zaps the life right out of you...it never ends and is probably about as close to being a physician as an nursing role can. The responsibility is overwhelming. Another thing that is difficult is the office managers have no clue what it is like to be out in the field. 4:30 comes and their day is done. Mine continues and if I'm lucky, I may occasionally have a weekend when I don't have to take a call from the on call nurse or a patient or caregiver. It truly takes over your life and I really would not recommend it...the flexibility and autonomy are nice but not worth the trade off of your sanity!

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Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

I feel the same way. I just got a cut in pay! Uhh! Putting out resumes this weekend. Looking at wound care cliniics. Not sure about the pay though. School nursing sounds great. Keep us posted!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I feel the same way. Since my job depends heavily on Medicare and Medicaid funding, things have been tight since the sequester in March, and got tighter in July. It doesn't help that my flu shot job shut down in September, without telling anyone (I found out on Facebook). Since I'm pregnant, due in April, I'm not in a position to look for a new job because I won't qualify for FMLA.

I started an online RN-BSN program in July. I plan to continue with that for as long as I can, and resume the job hunt next summer.

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I live in Northern Cali. Is there any hospital jobs out there yet. I graduated in 2008 and have not gotten an acute care job yet, Had interviews. Could it be my age? I am now 44, But I am a good, thorough nurse and compassionate. I have always gone above and beyond for my pts and their families. any ideas?

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