Can we start a new thread on tips to manage/prevent burnout and compassion fatigue?

I think I got burned out during my first week as a Med-Surg nurse. After a couple years on the floor I went into acute dialysis nursing. I loved it but the hours were killing me. Always heard, "Can you take one more patient?" Each pt lasts about 6 hours. In addition to my RN license I have a degree in education. I love teaching patients, but as mentioned above---the hours were wearing me out. I think I finally found a way out where I can still help people live a longer and healthier life. I teamed up with other RNs, personal trainers, chiropractors, and health conscious people. We do educational webinars for a health and wellness company. The focus is education in regards to disease prevention. If this sounds like something you'd like more info on send me a message. No spam please. It is worth checking out...if it is not for you no worries. You will still learn a lot by watching one of these webinars.

I think I got burned out during my first week as a Med-Surg nurse. After a couple years on the floor I went into acute dialysis nursing. I loved it but the hours were killing me. Always heard, "Can you take one more patient?" Each pt lasts about 6 hours. In addition to my RN license I have a degree in education. I love teaching patients, but as mentioned above---the hours were wearing me out. I think I finally found a way out where I can still help people live a longer and healthier life. I teamed up with other RNs, personal trainers, chiropractors, and health conscious people. We do educational webinars for a health and wellness company. The focus is education in regards to disease prevention. If this sounds like something you'd like more info on send me a message. No spam please. It is worth checking out...if it is not for you no worries. You will still learn a lot by watching one of these webinars.

You burned out your first WEEK? That must have been some Med/Surg floor!

I know exactly where you are coming from. I've been doing this for almost 3 years and find myself burned out and resenting the hospital, patients, and even people I work with. It's turned me into a person I don't like, and impacts my life even outside of work. They never tell you in school how burned out you can get and how little you start to care anymore.

I used to pick up all the time because I felt obligated to, until eventually I just couldn't handle it anymore. Sometimes the manager calling you would entrap you by leaving a message "Can you call me back?", making you think you had done something. I would get calls on every single day off and it got to the point where I just don't answer. I never even gave them my cell phone number and somehow they had gotten it from someone else...but it gets really irritating when you can't even have a peaceful day off without someone calling you to come work.

It was pretty bad...Inner-City of Chicago where all he gang violence occurs.

I haven't really worked long enough to experience it either but I have found that on days when I feel most drained I really enjoy watching or listening stand up the more offensive it is the better. Something about being able to vent off that way seems to be balancing

Learn to say no in all areas of your life. People pleasing is a fast way to burnout.

For example, I need quiet after most work days. No phones. No texting. Not every day, but easily this applies to 3 out of 7.

Some of my friends don't understand my need for quiet, even after I have explained that I'm on the phone/ email all day. Oh well. I need my peace of mind at the end of the day.

Long ago, I learned to stop caring what others think. Someone will always have an opinion. This has resulted in my overall happiness.

Yes! This! Still working on the not caring what others think, but that is definitely the key!