Fear of burnout..

I dont want to get too emotionally involved or stressed........dont wanna cry myself to sleep every night or be depressed all the time! I just feel kinda upset, b/c I worked so hard for 4 years and I dont want to be miserable anymore, ya know?

I hear you! Well let me say I am a new grad and have been on a busy med-surg floor for 2 & 1/2 months. I have already seen a handful of nurses leave. When I interviewed, they told me RN:pt ratio was 5. Well it has been a constant 6....the other night going to 7. I am scared it is too much to handle for a new grad. I have been looking at other options myself. I dont know if what I am feeling is normal for a new grad or if it is really too much. I hope it gets better soon.

My nurse manager said the N/P ratio was 4-5 but I knew she really mean 6-7.....I want to be challenged but not overwhelmed........it's frustrating at times. Glad you can relate RN2B07

I sooo can relate...but I am so overwhelmed at times. I never thought it would be easy after 4 years of school. But on the other hand I dont wanna cry in the bathroom or when coming home anymore. I feel so isolated...I have a different preceptor every night, whom half the time is outside smoking or on the computer. I feel alone, might as well be on my own at this point. I feel like everyone says they are there to help...but actions are not conveyed that way & actions speak louder than words. Then my preceptor says at the end of the shift that I need to hustle some more. I was on the verge of tears at that point. Thanks for the help! I mean I am dreading going back. I had 6 pts. the last time I worked...3 fesh post-ops...one whose HR was 155-160's after surgery...hellllooo why arent you on tele. And I should be working faster. I am really at a loss and feel I have no one that understands how I feel. Thanks for listenening!!

I already have had problems with stress and depression in nursing school due to the stress and grieving over the loss of my bf this past december.......I somehow found the inner strength to get through my last semester ya know........I dont want to feel worse or be crying more than I am b/c of nursing. I dont want to not give nursing a shot but I am afraid of the toll it will take on my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.......I know nursing is far from easy but I dont want to wind up hating my life or job.

It's tough at first. You have to arm yourself with this knowledge, that it's hard, stressful and tough.

However, you also must arm yourself with some self-care strategies. This includes, being assertive, asking for help, learning to delegate, but it also includes stress-reduction techniques like diet and exercise, yoga, meditation, having a meaningful life and relationships outside of work, spiritual practices as you do them. Whatever it takes.

There is a reality shock new grads face in the real world of nursing and it's not uncommon to switch jobs that first or second year. Even seasoned nurses job hop for money and opportunies or to get out of a stressful toxic environment. You have to somehow learn when to leave and when to stay.

Good luck. Don't let your fears get the best of you.