BURNT OUT!!

JC_Smith2009 · Dec 30, 2009

Hi all,
I'm 26 years old, been nursing for only 3 years, and I feel overworked, over stressed, under appreciated, and BURNT OUT! I'm starting to wonder why I went into nursing and wish that I wouldn't have. Is it possible to feel this way after only 3 years of being a nurse??

Well the probabilities of all those things happening to you are most likely true. But sometimes that is part of nursing. When you are in doubt, look down inside yourself and find the initial reason why you wanted to become a nurse. You know... there are things you can do to change it, well maybe... You can change what area you are working in to see if that makes a difference, or try self stress techniques. Just dont lose sight of the good that you are doing, and by no means should you be run into the ground. I know what it feels like to work at a job that you are run down at, but you find that fire inside you to keep pushing you and find that motivation to move forward. Just give it time, go take a vacation and spend a week on the beach if you can afford it. Dont forget to take personal time for yourself and enjoy life. Before you know it, one day we all will be in need of a nurse to take care of us. Hang in there buddy, it will turn out for the better.

midinphx, BSN · Dec 30, 2009

Look around for an area in nursing that may be better for you. An RN behind your name opens so many doors. Maybe you're burnt out in what you are doing now, but another area will be really satisfying. It's scary to change areas, but it empowering to know you can.

Good luck.

LLLLiiiFFEsaveer · Dec 30, 2009

This must be looked at from another angle. Tis True!

You will never make it (nowadays) if you do not see otherwise! You truly need to understand the title you have taken. It is above all else... Nursing is the license you hold! You must understand what that requires! Ideally, you would have known this prior to starting RN school...

The World we live in is a shocker though!

We must (must) remember our roots! We must be doing this for the right reasons. We decide our own fate! Do not hold onto the position if it contradicts your values..........

Other than that, do the best that you can with what you are given. That is where we all stand! As Nurses

thenameismac · Dec 30, 2009

I agree with what everyone else is saying. Nothing in life is ever easy but I am almost positive that you are having a greater impact on people's lives and making it better than, say, a cashier at McDonalds. Your patients need you and whether they say so or not, they appreciate you. Everyday won't be a walk in the park, or any day for that matter, but it should be well worth it when you can go home and say "I've helped so and so today". For me personally, if only one person said at least Thank you, that's enough to make me smile and continue what I do best (at the moment it's being a receptionist). Hopefully, the good outweighs the bad.:)

LLLLiiiFFEsaveer · Dec 30, 2009

For whomever it applies (Knowing very well) that this "of the Lords" congregation, You, (if choosen - from our Lord), pleases him, we/you are doing rightousness.. Pleases to continue continue until followed out! Then You blind and deaf will see and hear............................................................... Yes, then you blind/deaf will be shown nothingness! Nothingness forever and ever and ever and ever...

HOW GREAT IS THAT

You know not the Lord, as Him has spoken....

AMEN

GeminiRN2007 · Dec 30, 2009

Thanks for all you guys input, I really appreciate it. I became a nurse because I wanted to help people and I like the hands on aspect of nursing...nonetheless, the "real world" of nursing was a shocker, as it was completely different from what I had experienced in nursing school. One good thing about it is nursing does have many avenues. I'm going back to school now to get my degree in healthcare management, gonna try my hand at the administrative part of it, and give the bedside nursing a rest for a while .

But one thing is true, if one patient says "thank you" it makes it all worth it, and thats what keeps me going. I'm very grounded in my faith, and prayer helps me as well.

LLLLiiiFFEsaveer · Dec 30, 2009

you r welcome!

*lease contact me via PM for anything else....

Nurs0706 · Dec 31, 2009

I noticed your post and it reminded me alot of myself. I've been a nurse for three years, and too often come home more than not upset, exhausted, and truly unhappy regarding my day... And I have far more bad days than I do good days.

I find nursing very frustrating. My roots do hold a strong foundation of why I chose nursing, which was to help others and make an impact. However, I think that sometimes in this caregiver role, we are made to feel guilty - from management, co-workers, patients, and even ourselves. That we should "hold on" to those roots, and that if for some reason we are unhappy it's because we aren't being focused on what's important: the patient. However, that doesn't hold true if every day you are one hundred percent devoted and giving to your patients, that all you want is to truly take care of them and help them heal, but it is nearly impossible related to all of the other factors within the job. Those factors, ie: insane patient loads, toxic family members/physicians/etc, reduced time with each patient, no breaks or lunch breaks or pressure to not take your full break, physical demands without proper assistance, etc (the list could probably go on for quite some time), are the realities of the profession. I am not saying that nursing is not at times rewarding.. Just that those times are often outshined by the myriad of burdens and physical/emotional turmoil that nursing often involves.

My roots, as well as the profound responsibility and professionalism that inhabits being a nurse, are what drew me in, and keep me in the field. But, they are no longer the reality of nursing, which is disappointing and frustrating to people that really do want to make an impact but is becoming less of a tangible possibility. This is draining, annoying, and overall disheartening, and I think it can lead to burnout very rapidly.