Done with Critical Care.... Suggestions??

[BertRN07]

First of all, thank you for reading this! I've been working in a burn ICU since I graduated three years ago! For months now I've been feeling that I'm not up to par - not up on the knowledge, not as organized. These feelings were recently confirmed by my NM. I just can't handle the stress of the job - taking care of sick patients, crazy admissions, code situations, endless paperwork/documentation. I just can't do it all. Plus I don't get along with the dayshift - how can I work in an environment where I don't feel comfortable??

I know critical care isn't for everyone - I think I'm done with it. The question now is - what do I do? Going to a med/surg floor isn't something I'd like to do. I always wanted to get into pediatrics but after taking care of sick kids who don't feel good I don't know if I could handle Peds....

Any input would be awesome!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You started your career in an extremely tough area. I once did a six month stint in Burn Care & found that it was waaay too emotionally intense for me. It was just so gloomy and I couldn't deal with the daily 'torture/treatments' and poor outcomes overall. Give me a simple transplant any day! So, just because you don't like working with burns doesn't mean that another type of ICU would not suit you. I'm sure you have acquired a great skill set that would transfer nicely to other types of critical care.

Peds is an area that is rife with 'emotional' work (been there, done that too) Every patient comes with at least one set of parents (more in some cases) and extended family that are constantly 'up in your face' about everything. I had problems coping with a lack of 'informed consent' (no one ever asks the kids what they want) and as a parent, it just about did me in to deal with terminally ill children.

I am troubled by your comment "I don't get along with the day shift". Are you on nights? You may want to examine how your own behavior has contributed to this situation. Interpersonal skills are an absolute requirement for our profession. If this is a major contributor to your lack of job satisfaction, you will probably have the same problems no matter where you work.