Completely burned out

[tinderbox]

I just started a new job at a really well-organized and prestigious medical center only TWO months ago, and I completely dread going to work every night. While I am there, I watch the clock. I've cried several times at work (during my break, in private).. I am miserable with my job and with nursing, in general. I've been a nurse for 4 years and took this staff job after having been a traveler at other locations for approx 2 years. I thought taking a staff job would make me more excited about nursing, but it has made me hate nursing, whereas before I could always blame my discontent on the staffing ratios, constant floating, unsupportive staff, etc.

I don't get the warm fuzzy feeling from helping patients, I do not enjoy patient care, I am depressed the night before my first day back on, and I hate every minute that I'm at work. The staff is great, the unit is very busy (stepdown), and I just feel so much dread towards work, it feels awful.

I don't enjoy being a nurse anymore. I think I used to before, but I have no love for this profession anymore.

I have only been at this job for 2 months. What should I do? Any advice or similar situations?

BTW- I have been thinking for a long time about switching careers to become a librarian. There is a library assistant position open near where I live, and all I have to do is press the SEND button to apply (I've already filled out the application online but haven't sent it ). I've also have applied to a master's program in library science (don't know if I've gotten in yet). The library assistant job pays much less than what I make now as a nurse, but whenever I'm at work, I wonder- is this worth it??

Sorry so long.

[tinderbox]

Deleted

[tinderbox]

I believe it is possible to love nursing. I'm not sure it's possible to be happy in nursing. But you know, I look around and no one is actually happy. I think life may be too chaotic to allow for a continued feeling of happiness.

And you do realize what you've just described by asking to feel happy, no stress, no depression, no anxiety, and no pain? Death. My point is that you will miss being a nurse. You will miss operating at such a high level of functioning. You think you're depressed now? Give up your license and high-stress nursing job, become a librarian in a quite little town, and there won't be enough antidepressant medication in the world for you. I guarantee it.

We agree that two days a week is an option. Two days a week isn't a lot of money, but it's more than a library assistant makes and you don't need a Masters of Library Science (Can you imagine what the lectures in those classes would be like?). Two days a week and you'll be looking forward to work.

Your picture of your dog is super cute, btw.

[Flightline, BSN, RN]

Please don't judge me for not wanting to be a nurse anymore. There are many respectable professions out there, and many people are actually happy with their jobs. Many people also are happy being nurses, and that's great. I'm not one of them.

True: there are many respectable jobs out there. I still maintain that nursing is the greatest possible profession that creates the greatest possible people. But in no way do I judge you: I have often thought that if a person didn't love being a nurse, the job would be utterly intolerable. If you can't be a nurse, then by all means be a great librarian. I don't judge you at all. In fact, quite the opposite: when a person realizes it's over, then they have a responsibility to exit. Those who stay for just the money make very bad nurses.

I truly wish you the best of luck on whatever road you travel from here.:icon_hug:

Your picture of your dog is super cute, btw.

Yes. Thank you. That's Ludwig. Unfortunately, he went on to be a permanent part of the mind of God last September. Just yesterday, we got his headstone from the funeral home. Of course a couple of weeks after his demise, since his physical place was open in our home, we went to the humane society and saved another dog. My wife, who is an artist (painter in the style of realism), is doing his portrait based on that photo. She has nearly completed it. It will hang in our home bordered by candles like the portraits of our other dogs who have gone on to wait for us. So, thank you for your complement.

[nurseforlife]

I just think that no one should feel unhappy in there job. It is not nice when we can't look forward to going into work. You aren't alone, and there are others just like you. If you think Nursing isn't for you, then get out of it, and run as fast as you can. Personally, i think that there are alot of different specialties, and areas in nursing that might be more suitable for you. But this is something you will need to explore further yourself. I do not think that anyone should stay in Nursing if they really do hate it. I don't think that Nursing is especially for everyone, so don't be too hard on yourself if you chose a different career path. You tried it right? Good Luck, and don't give up your search for what is right for YOU!

[marie-francoise]

Disclaimer: I'm still a student. Yes, even just from clinicals I can totally see why you'd be depressed at the thought of going into work. I'm having many second thoughts about going into nursing. I don't want to face every workday as a day that I dread. I think I would dread each workday if I went into nursing. And I'm saying that having worked in other jobs that I did not dread. You might want to give other types of jobs a try, and see how your mood improves.