Burnt out

[anewsns]

I've been a ltc/ snf nurse for almost 5 years now , have been wanting to go into acute care and have applied only at a few places but of course it's hard to get hired .. Occasionally I go through phases where I want to get out more than usual .. The last few weeks have been the worst though .. This week I worked a 16 hour shift and ended up with a 5 day weekend which ended up being a bad move as that shift pushed me over the edge .its like a feeling of caregiver burnout and general anger at some of the details of long term care operation. I feel that any change would give me a lift but have really been wanting the challenge of a med surg or tele to get my career on a roll. I have totally stopped enjoying anything and gone into total escapism .. I have a vacation to Vegas and Cali in just a few weeks and even that's not helping.. The thought of going to work makes me want to cry even though nothing different is going on there.Ive been just needing to constantly seek immediate escape and comfort and im having trouble even motivating to apply for more jobs .. I even accidentally dropped out of my RN to BSN program online from not being motivated to sign up for class in time.. (I'm gonna switch to a classroom setting when I muster the energy.)I'm just in a mental and emotional rut really and I was hoping for words of validation or support

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

Sorry your going through this...(((hugs))). I too have gotten into these funks! I've been LTC for many years...

I know your burnt out, but I would suggest getting back in the BSN track. That way you can get the job you really want. LTC is very stressful and hospitals where I am from only hire BSN... (But they DO hire....and you'd probably have a better chance of moving on...) best wishes for peace and resolution to this funk your in!! 😏

Sent from my iPhone 6 plus using allnurses

[anewsns]

Thanks , exactly the kind of words I was looking for ! I love the nurses that have worked in my place for many years .. Their toughness and sense of humor are what feels like the only thing getting me through the week sometimes! I'm thinking of making some financial sacrifices and cutting hours right now to take classes!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I've been in LTC for years and years. There are days when I am so tired of all the regulations and lack of staff who want to work and complaining family members that I feel like chucking it all and doing something else. But then I walk down the hall and see someone who came to us barely able to stand walking down the hall getting ready to go home. I see a long term resident whose face lights up when her favorite CNA comes on duty....or hear a couple of the residents tell their friends that they can't wait to go to Drink and Dabble. What we do is hard and frustrating and many times we're underpaid and overworked. But what we do is important. We can make a difference in someone's life every day.

If you're that unhappy you should try something else. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.

Good luck.....maybe a new hobby?

[anewsns]

I've got lots of hobbies , I don't deny that it's important ! It's definitely not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life though , its really not a good match for me.. I have to look pretty hard to find my satisfaction there, lots of convincing myself why I like it or should like it but the natural affinity is just not there... I've started a journal of my days to weed out whats bothering me there vs what gives me fulfillment , its helping to guide me to what I do want and it's also helping me put more focus on the the things that I enjoy while Im at work, to make the best of this situation as it's absolutely nobody's fault but mine that I'm still here. I really want to be in acute care , (for the right reasons , not just because that's what is dictated to us).. And it's hard to get a job in acute care as we all know .. So the decision of the last couple of days has been to make this a second job.. Getting my ACLS, showing up at job fairs , cleaning my resume .. This idea is giving me a lot of hope because it takes focus off feeling stuck aNd basically makes me feel like I already have another job.. Thanks for the support, love this site !

[unique_nurse]

I have been in your position before. When I was a LPN, I worked 3-11 Monday-Friday, and I hated it. I felt like I was always at work, and never had time for myself. I felt like I was drowning, and no one around me could tell. I got another job, where I was only working 3 days a week, and the work load was better. It definitely made a difference in my mood. I had more time to enjoy my life, and I enjoyed what I did at work. You just need a change in scenery. You are burned out of your routine, and environment. Once you find a new job that you enjoy, it will get better. Good luck!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Remember, acute care is not the be all and end all. And you may just find yourself in the exact same situation after a round of acute care.

It is a general culture change of nursing in general that seems to have any number of nurses in a rut. Regardless if it is LTC or acute care.

Maybe look to move within your current system. You could look at case management. That could line you up for an acute care case management position. You could try home health. Nurse education. Education of CNA's and/or MA's for a local school. Or go completely the other end of the spectrum and be a school nurse. Even urgent care is a change.

The only difference, in my opinion, with acute care and what you are doing now is you will have less patients (but don't quote me on that, as you could have somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-6 or more) that have needs that need to be met NOW.

Best wishes and enjoy your vacation....do NOT think about work while you are having fun in the sun!!