Does this sound like burnout or need for change?

[Success89]

I have been a nurse for 10 years. I have only worked in two specialities. I worked med surg for the first 3 years of my career as a nurse and then I switched to postpartum/mother/baby nursing and I have been in this specialty for the last 6.5 years. I generally love my job and I have never felt the urge to leave mother-baby nursing but recently I have been feeling a little dreadful about going to work. I work nights and I don't know if that has anything to do with it, I have been patiently waiting for a day shift position to open to give it a try but nothing available yet. Lately I feel like I am getting tired of recovering c-sections, dealing with poor breastfeeding issues, moms dealing with pain and complaints, maternal complications etc. I love teaching and it is one of my favorite parts of the job but I just don't feel like I'm finding the "joy" of postpartum nursing like I used to. We have been very busy on our unit lately, taking 3+ couplets at a time and the patients are getting sicker and the work is becoming more challenging than usual. I make good money and I know it should never be about the money , but I know that it would be hard for me to find a job right now that would come close to what I currently make and I don't think I can afford the pay cut.
 

I am also constantly reminded that I'm getting older. Seeing the younger moms having babies and the excitement of a new baby leaves me sometimes feeling a pang of envy that I may never get to experience these moments again. I hate that I feel like this but it's something that I've been dealing with lately. Trying to be excited for my patients but also feeling envious.
 

I'm honestly not sure what all of this means at this point in my career but has anyone else ever felt like this? Any thoughts? 

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

IMHO, you are dealing with the mid-life doldrums.  I can't imagine going through life without it.  OB is a good place to be if you are feeling older.  Lots of paperwork bringing new citizens into the world but very little lifting!  A few counseling sessions with a therapist might help you re-arrange your priorities and gain new perspectives on whether you really need to make a professional change ot just make. few tweaks in your life.  Please let us know how things turn out for you.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

When was the last time you had vacation or extended time off? Sometimes just having time off allows one to decompress from work stress.

Consider calling your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  --helpful in guiding career options and deccusssions, providing emotional support and counseling options.-- free service in many health systems.

HUGS...