I have been a nurse almost 5 years, graduated when I was 22 with my ADN, took a year off, started my BSN and right away started the DNP program (graduating 2019). For 3+ years I worked 5-6 12 hour shifts a week, I got addicted to the money and never minded going to work. I was kind of in a robot mind set, wake up go to work, come home pass out and do it all again the next day.
I moved back home when I started this program, for financial reasons and it's been good. My problem lately is I truly do not want to work even the 2 measly days I'm working every week. I'm contingent, I have been for the past 3.5 years and I wouldn't have it any other way. I make great money and pick my hours, minimum 3 days a month.
I've never dreaded work until the past 3-4 months, I dread it to the point of wanting to call in for no reason at all. I work oncology and medsurge at a great hospital, they treat employees great and I never feel like we're understaffed. Talking to friends and even reading blogs on here, I feel truly lucky to work for such a great hospital. I don't know why I hate it, there really is no reason. I just get so exhausted after work since I've cut down hours, I am always an energized person who lifts the mood of the unit but lately I'm just tired.
I have talked to many nurses (and most of my graduating class that I still talk to) and we are all just feeling burnt out and honestly sick of floor nursing, it's exhausting and draining even in the great hospital I work at. Luckily I have a light at the end of my tunnel because I'm furthering my education, but I'm at the point where I don't even know if I want to work in a clinical setting once I'm done, I might just teach full time, maybe round for a doc or two but I have no plans to be employed at a hospital, frankly I'm sick of the hospital.
I'm looking for people that went through this or are going through this and can offer some insight, some positive uplifting or something. I think being in school full time is what's making me feel this way, it's hard to focus on two things at once for me and I just feel like I'd be happier focusing 100% on school, but giving up this job would be so stupid because I can work as little or as much as I want during school.
Maybe you resent work because you do not have a healthy balance between school, work and life and deep down you would rather have some me time instead of work. Do you exercise regularly or have some sort of healthy break to take care of yourself?
Those are things I have thought about as well, I have just recently started going back to the gym routinely so maybe in a while that will have some effects on my mood, once I've been going consistently for a length of time.
I think it's either you are exhausted(rightfully so) or you are one of those people who thrives on adrenaline. Since you cut your hours , you "have more time" , albeit time you need.
My friend is like this. She likes her money, and isn't too happy when her hours get cut. She 's in a job that is very adrenaline producing. She's worked in my job( step down) and is bored to death and hates it.I think the adrenaline rush gives her energy and life.
Congrats on working on your degree tho, at least you wont have to do floor nursing ever again.
Thank you, and wow that does sound just like me it's scary. I quit a job on cardiac step down after a year (in 2012) because I was on nights and it got so boring and redundant. I worked LTACH for 4.5 years and despite what people think LTACH really is- I can say it's very stressful and lots of adrenaline, I chose to be on the rapid team every night so I could run the codes because I loved it. I never thought about that and you might be completely right- I'm bored! All of these feelings really did come after things went south in mgmt at the LTACH and I had to resign because I knew my license was at risk. I never put those two together, thank you!
I had 25 + years at the bedside. I can't even drive past a hospital without getting the heebie jeebies.
Why not work your minimum 3 days a month? Or think outside the box a little and get out of the hospital all together?
Wow, 25 years, you're a trooper good for you! I am probably going to start doing more towards the minimum, and I have actually been looking for other types of jobs (teaching, tutoring, telephone triage nursing, the problem is finding a PRN job in any of these categories.
Well, working 5-6 12-hour shifts per week would burn just about anyone out. Going from ADN to BSN to DNP in seven years would tire out some of the best students out there.
I would work the bare minimum you can afford to work while in DNP school.
You are not alone. I think it's almost part of what we do. We deal with so much that the "regular" person doesn't have to. It's okay to feel this way. I like to say it's a sign; you need a break! You have taken on so much, and I'm sure you can handle it. It's just time for a little break. It's easy to go auto-pilot. When have you taken some time for yourself? Do a weekend getaway. Doesn't have to be fancy, or expensive. Camping? Nature always has its way of showing you what you need and it's time you get some clarity. The nursing possibilities are endless. We are lucky to be in a field where the constant change and innovation of medicine allows for exploration of other areas to work in. Just take some time to get your thoughts together and you will get thru this. Meditate. Pray. Reflect in a peaceful environment. You can change things. Your journey is not over in nursing. There's other opportunities you can venture in! :) Good luck!
Well, working 5-6 12-hour shifts per week would burn just about anyone out. Going from ADN to BSN to DNP in seven years would tire out some of the best students out there.
I would work the bare minimum you can afford to work while in DNP school.
Thank you, I think I am going to start doing that.
You are not alone. I think it's almost part of what we do. We deal with so much that the "regular" person doesn't have to. It's okay to feel this way. I like to say it's a sign; you need a break! You have taken on so much, and I'm sure you can handle it. It's just time for a little break. It's easy to go auto-pilot. When have you taken some time for yourself? Do a weekend getaway. Doesn't have to be fancy, or expensive. Camping? Nature always has its way of showing you what you need and it's time you get some clarity. The nursing possibilities are endless. We are lucky to be in a field where the constant change and innovation of medicine allows for exploration of other areas to work in. Just take some time to get your thoughts together and you will get thru this. Meditate. Pray. Reflect in a peaceful environment. You can change things. Your journey is not over in nursing. There's other opportunities you can venture in! :) Good luck!
That is so uplifting, thank you so much! I have been working out pretty routinely again which is probably the only thing I do for "me time". You are absolutely right about the endless possibilities, I always tell friends and colleagues that when they are unhappy in their position. I guess I haven't thought to take my own advice because I'm not unhappy, just tired and lacking much motivation. I am going to start meditating I've researched up on it and have been wanting to try, this would be the perfect time!
We all need a little reminding here and there. Any time you feel tired, or feel lack of energy, remember that it's temporary. It's only for a little while until you reach your goal. Meditation! Which reminds me I haven't done it in a while lol! I gotta take that up again. Light up a scented candle. Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax your mind. Shut everything out even if it's for 10 minutes. We all could use a little bit of that.
I agree with so many of the comments. School and work together is draining. At work you are pulled in a million directions, and at school you have to be on top of your game too. Sounds like very little time to just unwind and rest. I am done with school now, but having two draining things going on at the same time makes burn out happen so easily.
I agree having an outlet like exercise would probably help a lot! Feels like the last thing you want to do when you are exhausted but for it really helps if you can do it routinely. I think it makes your mind so much clearer.
Hang in there! Floor nursing is such hard work! I moved to Progressive Care and it's more intense but you have less patients. I thought it'd be more draining, but it actually helps. I feel less burnt out than before. Maybe something to consider.
I agree with so many of the comments. School and work together is draining. At work you are pulled in a million directions, and at school you have to be on top of your game too. Sounds like very little time to just unwind and rest. I am done with school now, but having two draining things going on at the same time makes burn out happen so easily.
I agree having an outlet like exercise would probably help a lot! Feels like the last thing you want to do when you are exhausted but for it really helps if you can do it routinely. I think it makes your mind so much clearer.
Hang in there! Floor nursing is such hard work! I moved to Progressive Care and it's more intense but you have less patients. I thought it'd be more draining, but it actually helps. I feel less burnt out than before. Maybe something to consider.
Good luck!
That is definitely something I will look into! Thank you for your understanding and kind words! Good luck to you as well! :-)
We all need a little reminding here and there. Any time you feel tired, or feel lack of energy, remember that it's temporary. It's only for a little while until you reach your goal. Meditation! Which reminds me I haven't done it in a while lol! I gotta take that up again. Light up a scented candle. Close your eyes. Breathe. Relax your mind. Shut everything out even if it's for 10 minutes. We all could use a little bit of that.
RNtoACGNP
48 Posts
Those are things I have thought about as well, I have just recently started going back to the gym routinely so maybe in a while that will have some effects on my mood, once I've been going consistently for a length of time.