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Discussion

Feeling burned out

I have only been an RN for the past 3 1/2 years. I started my career a bit later in life. I have been working at a hospital for about 11mths. (LTC prior to that )

I work on a busy med surg floor. Our ratio of pt per RN is supposed to be 5:1. However due to budget cuts etc we are at 6 and 7:1. This is during day shift when things are at their busiest. Doctors putting in new orders, tests, procedures going on etc. I am constantly running. As in sometimes physically running down the hallway.

Yesterday for example I was trying to put in a NG tube which wasn't going well as the pt had many nodules, meanwhile pts were ringing for pain meds and I had another doctor hunting me down, yelling at me because he wanted assistance with a bedside procedure and I was unable to drop everything to be at his side instantaneously, an admission and due to these budget cuts. No float pool or prn staff to help.

The job is hard as you all know and up till now the difference I was making in my pts lives got me though. But lately I am feeling burned out. Not enjoying my job at all. Just curious how other Rns are able to get though these periods of feeling burned out.

Do I stick with it. I love the idea of the hospital because I learn so much and see so many interesting things. But LTC was so much easier with the hours and workload and felt more family oriented.

Just looking for advice from Rns who have been doing this for many years on how to get though the hard times

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    I'll be honest, it's because of similar issues to what you are talking about that I posted out (transferring units).

    Our ratios are nowhere near as bad as yours (Nights--5:1 primary RN or 10:2 team RN/LPN, Days--4:1 primary RN or 7:2 team RN/LPN). This last summer they took away our aides, so there are physically not enough staff to answer lights, do beds/baths/turns, keep up with prn meds, dressing changes, new orders, ect.

    When the other nurses and I have a particularly tough night, we will go out for breakfast after work and debrief. I also come on here and read other peoples vents or read other peoples happy posts.

    I was/am on a medical/oncology with telemetry floor, but I am transferring to NICU.

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