Feelings of an extremely burnt out nurse

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If you're anything like me, you probably chose nursing because you like helping people. You imagined that you would have the power to change lives for the better. Even if it was just one a time. Fast forward to reality, you've been slapped in the face of what modern-day nursing has become: all about patient satisfaction. You never imagined that you would do everything in your power for someone to be medically okay and comfortable and them STILL not appreciate, care that you even helped, or expect the moon out of you. Your fantasy of what nursing would be does not exist. You call and wake up doctors at night for an order for a heating pad, administer every pain medication the patient asks for, make their bed, wipe their butt, get them food because they are hungry, and they still will be mad at you because you weren't good enough. And you go home asking yourself, what is the point of trying so hard, when you couldn't meet your patients expectations, when your managers never recognize anyone's good work, and when your constantly working under less than favorable conditions to do these things? Stressing your mind and body until you have no sanity, all for someone else. You end up burnt out and compassion fatigued. You don't try anymore -- because either way the patient will still be unsatisfied. You rarely meet a person who shows an ounce of compassion for you and your profession. Nurses get no praise on the floor. Doctors reap the benefits while still treating us like we have no idea what we are talking about. And you get to the place where mentally you can barely even handle going into work without feeling physically sick. Dreading going back to work on all your days off, rarely enjoying your free time. Constantly fatigued and aching. Not feeling like you can take care of yourself between all the work and sleep and for me, school. What do you do when you reach this point? Nursing is nothing of what I thought it would be. It has left me empty instead of full. My once so beautiful image of nursing that I thought it would be is shattered, and I feel broken.

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Well, unfortunately, you are right. There is nothing in your post that is wrong.

Every once in awhile, I do come across a patient who truly appreciates the work we do. But most of the time, not so much.

So, it is important to keep your eye on the prize.

What does a nursing salary allow you to do? Travel? Purchase a new home? Save for retirement? Those are the things you need to focus on.

Don't try and find any kind of fulfillment in your work. That is just setting yourself up for feelings of frustration.

Find a hobby that your truly love, such as hiking, cooking, dance or horse back riding. And then do those things that you LOVE during your time off. During your off hours, focus on the things in life that bring you pleasure. Consider your job as simply the conduit that allows you to do what you love.

Come to this Web Site and vent.

Best wishes to you. Now go out and find that hobby that you love!

For me, I love spending time with my horse. All of the stress of the day melts away when I am with him. And my nursing job allows me to take the best care of him possible.

Nursing is job, not a calling. We aren't nuns and priests. God didn't whisper in our ears: Become a nurse. It is job.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

After 45.5 yrs, " Lil Nel" knocks it out of the park....I whole heartedly agree

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Well, unfortunately, you are right. There is nothing in your post that is wrong.

Come to this Web Site and vent.

Best wishes to you. Now go out and find that hobby that you love!

Nursing is job, not a calling. We aren't nuns and priests. God didn't whisper in our ears: Become a nurse. It is job.

Amen, Nel!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics w/rehab, LTC, hospice patient.

Completely relate to all of this

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I 100% agree with you! I have been a bedside nurse for almost 3 years and I feel so burnt out! I just feel like it's not worth the stress. I would honestly rather make less money and be less stressed than be stressed to the breaking point and make more money. I'm at the point of leaving the bedside and finding a nursing job away from the hospital completely. Health care has been destroyed by the fact HCAP scores are now the number one priority. Life is too short!

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I could less if my patients like or appreciate me. I don't look to them for any sort of affirmation of doing a good job. I look at nursing like a job. Its a job that I've become good at and get well compensated for. Period.

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Well said and join the group. I got out with a cushy job working for an insurance company, you can too.

Best wishes.

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Me too!!! Thank goodness for telecommuting. í ½í¸Š

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I agree.

As one of my old coworkers told a supervisor, "I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to keep patients and staff safe (this was a locked psych facility) and do a job, get paid, and go home." I don't know why nurses often have this martyr complex thing going on. No other profession puts pressure on themselves to do a job like nurses do.

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Ha !I like this post.. Lol! Hang in there... Take vacations.. Real ones! Hobbies when you can..

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I'm going out on a limb here and say maybe you can realign your expectations - change the picture you had if you will - and feel more fulfilled. It seems possible you didn't just go into nursing to help people and change a life once in a while, but also to be appreciated for doing so. I'm sure you do the first two every day. The last one, well some times instead of waiting for the florist all day on your birthday you have to buy your own flowers and throw your own party. Start congratulating yourself for things you do well, even if it's, "I didn't snap back at that very demanding patient even once. That showed professionalism. I'm proud of me." Or, "I caught the subtle change in vitals and because of me that man is going home to his little girl tomorrow. I rock!" Heck, do it out loud to understanding colleagues. Don't forget to sincerely congratulate your fellow nurses and CNAs for their good work when you see it. Start a culture of appreciation and gratitude. One person CAN change the culture of a unit, for the worse or for the better.

On the other hand, you may have been running on empty for too long. You may need to cut back, or find another specialty, or just take a break. But selfishly I hope you don't leave the profession. We desperately need good experienced bedside nurses, and it sounds like in spite of how crispy you feel you are a responsive, caring and competent nurse. Good luck to you!

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