burned out and fed up

mario_ragucci · Oct 7, 2002

Ainchew heard of Neil Young? He's a musician with long hair and plays guitar. In the song, "hey hey my my" I think he is talking about burnout, so I referenced the song in my own way. If you don't know the song, i guess it's silly, but this is the internet, and we can all assert :)

ktwlpn, LPN · Oct 7, 2002

Originally posted by rebelwaclause

I guess that post just means-your nursing career means nothing---go ahead and enjoy that burn.......Not me-nursing is all I have ever wanted to do-and I have come very close to burn out twice-both times personal circumstances were tipping the scale and work was actually my refuge...until the smoke cleared and then I just could not do it any longer...A job change works wonders-our field is full of unique situations and new experiences...Sure-many of the same frustrations will trip us up but it is nice to feel as though you are making a "fresh start" .If you truly love nursing you owe it to yourself to take care of yourself....

rncountry · Oct 7, 2002

I believe I have decided that I will be leaving nursing. It won't be right away, because I can't afford that. However this weekend I came to the decision that it is my profession that is killing me. I have been doing wound and infection control in my facility for a bit more than a year now, and no matter what I do some nurses ignore everything in these two areas that they are supposed to do, my boss does not make it clear that there are certain guidelines that must be adhered to, and I am tired of beating my head against the wall.

On Thursday and Friday last week we had a state inspector show up in my facility. I had taken part of the day off so I could go to my youngest childs field trip. I had over 8 hours of overtime already, and knew I would be accuring more, so I asked for 6 hours off to go. It was given to me and while I am on a school bus more than an hour away from the facility I got a call on my cell phone telling me I was needed back at the facility right away, there was a state inspector. Since I work in a hospital I thought the person calling had misspoke herself, but no she meant a state inspector. So I tell her I am on a school bus and have no way to get back until the time I had originally said I would be there. When I do get back I caught hell for taking the time off. HELLO, didn't you give me the time off? There had been a complaint that was for a patient that had been with us nearly a year ago, and the complaint was that a staff member had picked up a washcloth off the window sill and washed the broken blisters on the patients back. First I have repeatedly said we cannot be laying linen on the window sill, and of course like most places we don't have enough room, so people do it anyway. For over a year I have been saying this with nothing done, no staff told not to do it except for me saying it to them, and since I carry no real authority I am really nothing more than a pain in their backside. The state woman goes through nearly a full inspection process like she was surveying a nursing home, since I worked LTC I recognize everything she is doing. My boss keeps telling her we are not a nursing home and therefore don't have similar policies. We are long term acute care, we have patients for extended periods of time, but have very acute patients. Our acuity level is like that of a step down unit. Yet, because we are long term I had sent out at least three memos over the last 6 months noting that we need to be prepared to deal with long term care issues and that we were not. People don't get turned properly, nurses will slap any ole treatment on people with open areas and not tell me or get an order, and guess what? While the inspector was there she found a patient where this had happened with. She started questioning me and I didn't have a clue the patient had any open areas at all. I was angry and embarrassed. She notes that the only person documenting wound care is myself, the nurses who do it while I am not working do not chart it done, what it looked like etc... All of these things I have repeatedly brought to the attention of management. Fat lot of good it did.

So over the weekend I pondered what I wanted to do. I am tired of feeling like I am swimming upstream. I thought about going back to agency, but then I can't be sure that I will make a full paycheck, could go back to the floor but with 12 hour shifts I see my youngest child for less than an hour before he needs to go to bed to be ready for school the next day on the days I would work. Plus with my husband taking classes it means that my 15 year old is responsible for getting dinner etc.. for herself and her brother on the nights I work, while still making sure she gets her homework done. So the hours of M-F work for me. I rarely get out of work on time, but at least I get home sooner than 8p. I could go elsewhere, but know every facility around me used mandatory overtime on a regular basis. I have not certified yet into infection control or I would look for that specifically. Ultimately I felt it better to stick to what I am doing until I have some education into something else. I would like to be able to do something where I can freelance. Thought about photography but am not sure. I just know for certain that I have decided that I am going to leave this career field behind. I am tired of looking at naked bodies, and wearing scrubs most of the time. I am tired of other staff members who simply won't follow policy, all of which is based on guidelines of current practice, and most of all tired of a boss who won't make these people do what they are supposed to be doing to begin with.

I actually like doing wound care, it is satisfying to be able to heal someone, and I know I am good at it. I didn't expect to find infection control interesting but found I actually enjoy that too. I have excellant working relationships with the physicians, and have some nurses that I work with that are very good. I'm just tired of feeling like I have to fight all the time to get done what needs to be done. And because of that I have simply made the decision that I have to find something else that I will not only make a decent wage from, but that I feel like I can have a life with also. I don't want to be so tired that I don't want to go outside and enjoy working in my garden. So tired I don't even want to go outside and go swimming in the pool that is in my own backyard. So tired I don't care if my house is clean or not. So there's my care plan, leave nursing. I am hoping to make that move in two years, three at the most. Maybe later I will feel differently, but somehow I doubt it.

I have people tell me I am too much of a perfectionist and that is my problem. But these are the same people who can't manage three lines in a chart to note they changed a dressing and what the wound looked like. Hell, I'd be glad if they simply charted they did it at least.

After being a ***** through Thursday and Friday my boss was trying to be ultra nice and up my ass today. What can I do for you? Would you like to go outside and take a break with me. Of all the people I work with she was the last person I wanted to break with. Comes over and rubs my shoulders, "It's going to get better, SMILE." I wanted to punch her, instead I simply said "Please do not touch me." She wanted to "talk" with me. I flat refused. I have too much to do to go have a heart to heart with someone who can't really listen to me, hear yes, listen no. FMLA is not a possiblity I do not have enough PTO to do it. So instead I will go to work everyday, do my job and do it well and make my escape plans. I don't believe I will regret it.

Youda · Oct 7, 2002

rncountry, I sure hear you! A few months back, the LTC I work at got a complaint call about skin care. The first round of state inspectors accomplished nothing. Admin did break housekeeping's back with the midguided belief that if things smelled good and looked good, the state inspectors would clear the tags. So, on the revisit, the state gave some ultimatums, gave some hefty fines, and gave another 30-days, or else. Suddenly, the place was crawling with corporate types who spent long hours in a conference room re-doing charts and care plans. (Notice that staffing didn't improve, dressings still weren't getting changed, and bedfast residents still weren't getting turned.)

The one good thing corporate did was hire a wound care consultant. Apparently this lady makes the rounds to the LTCs, gives advice on what to do, recommends certain treatments to the docs, and helps with plans of correction. She also charges big bucks for her service. When she's done with the recommendations, she collects her paycheck and walks away.

The reason I thought of this when I read your post, rncountry, is because I thought this was something you'd enjoy doing. No stress about follow-thru, because you would only do the consulting. It is up to the facility to implement your recommendations. I'd bet if you printed up some business cards, and started deliverying them to LTCs, you could start to build-up your own consulting service and continue to work where you are until you got enough clients to support you.

Also, some corporations have consultants on staff that travel around the city and do the same thing with the idea of preventing problems and tags.

If you like wound care, there's some other options for you besides letting this place burn you out.

sjoe · Oct 8, 2002

rncountry--You also might consider working for/with a company like Jobst, who make burn garments, and/or other companies that make or supply wound care products. See if they would be willing to pay you what you are worth to represent their products and train healthcare workers how to use them.

It might be worthwhile to stop by a couple of large medical supply retailers to see what they might suggest, as well.

And every so often I see an ad for a wound care specialist. If this is what you like to do and are good at it, the healthcare industry may well have a good place for you--just not where you are now.

Good luck.

rncountry · Oct 8, 2002

I've thought about doing consulting work, but first I need to get my certification. I'm supposed to that in April. It's just that I am very angry right now. Today before I could get on the floor, right after I punched out my boss cornered me, and went into how we were going to correct "our" problems. Of course everything she said was what I had already said needed to be done months ago. I suppose in some ways I figure at least it's finally going to be done, at least I think so since I believe her job my hinge on it, if the attitude of the CEO means anything. But damn it makes me mad for it to have to come to having citiations BEFORE something was done. I used to be a DON and that was not the way I ran my facility.

So I intend on staying where I am, but I am making plans. I also am feeling that old militant feeling I had a couple years ago when I began helping organize for a mass rally in Washington DC by nurses. It came to nothing for reasons to extensive to list here, but the overriding reason was the man who was doing our website did not file appropriate paperwork with the IRS, and since he had put things in his name he had to be the one who did it. The other thing is I became convinced that he intended to make a profit for himself as well, I could not go along with those things so pulled out. The whole thing fell apart shortly afterwards. However I am currently thinking about things to do besides writing every legislator I can think of, who never seem to manage to get back with me except for my one senator Debbie Stabanow. I am helping with a political campaign too, but since my candidate is a democrat in a primary republican area I'm not real sure she can win. I want to do something loud and nasty.

LasVegasRN · Oct 8, 2002

I worked for the same company for 10 years. Resigned just 4 weeks away from 10 year anniversary and 4 weeks vacation. Did NOT have another job to go to. Crazy? Yep, it was. But year after year of management being unable to make up their minds as to what they wanted to do, me taking ALL THE SHYT that consistently rolls down hill, and being yelled at by my boss at something I had no control over, I wrote up my resignation right then and there. I was told to "go home and cool off". I went home and updated my resume (which I hadn't had to do for 10 years) and searched the ads.

At that time, I decided I worked too long and had come too far to leave nursing. I had invested too much of myself to leave. However, after being under management's thumb for that amount of time and getting sick EVERY YEAR and using up my sick time EVERY YEAR for stress-related illnesses (shingles, high blood pressure, flu, colds, you name it) I decided I had to go.

I literally left out "there but for the grace of God" not knowing where my next paycheck was coming from, but had faith that I had the know-how and the WILL to keep my house, home, and HEAD straight.

From the contacts I made through the years, I was given case management work from a California nurse starting her own company. I will be eternally grateful to her because I was getting turned down for bedside type care - I had been out of it too long.

Then, just as I was considering moving back to Toledo, I got a call from a Case Management agency. I didn't even know those existed! Yep! They needed someone to do discharge planning in the hospital and these companies needed someone with my background. I did the agency work until I found the full-time permanent position I am working now.

I took one hell of a paycut, but, before I accepted this position with this pay, I made sure I could maintain my same lifestyle without having to make sacrifices apparent to my daughter. It all worked out!

I have NO stress. ZERO. I think I have stress from not having stress sometimes - it's weird. :chuckle I have had to adjust to being in a work environment where management has an idea what's going on and does NOT change things at a whim based on no input from their employees.

"Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold".

So true. :)

Youda · Oct 10, 2002

I found this interesting Burnout Rating Index today. So, I thought I'd share it:

Burnout, the direct result of unresolved or prolonged exposure to stressful work conditions or life situations, can happen to anyone at any time. And though some occupations, such as doctors, police officers, teachers, and nurses, have high burnout risks, any job in which workers do repetitive or routine tasks, have little positive feedback, or have a high level of responsibility and little control can cause burnout. Individuals especially vulnerable are: perfectionists, idealists, and workaholics.

The following burnout quiz, taken from Dr. Goliszek's 60 Second Stress Management, rates how prone we are to burnout syndrome. A scoring key follows. Rate each question from 1 to 3 with 1=seldom; 2=sometimes; 3=always.

1. I feel hostile or angry at work. _____

2. I feel like I have to succeed all the time. _____

3. I find myself withdrawing from coworkers. _____

4. I feel like everything I'm asked to do is an imposition. _____

5. I find myself insensitive to clients, coworkers or associates. _____

6. Work has become very boring, tedious, and routine. _____

7. I feel like I'm at a standstill in my career. _____

8. I feel negative about work, focusing only on its bad aspects. _____

9. I find myself accomplishing less than I ever have before. _____

10. I have trouble organizing my work and my time. _____

11. I'm more short-tempered than I've ever been before. _____

12. I feel inadequate and powerless to make changes at work. _____

13. I find myself taking out my work frustrations at home. _____

14. I consciously avoid personal contact more than I ever have. _____

15. I find myself asking whether my job is right for me. _____

16. I find myself thinking negatively about work, even at home. _____

17. I approach each work day not sure if I'm going to make it through. _____

18. I feel as if no one at work cares about what I do. _____

19. I find myself spending more time trying to avoid work. _____

20. I feel tired at work even when I get a good night's sleep. _____

SCORING KEY:

20-24: No Burnout

35-49: Moderate Burnout (early warning signs)

50-60: Severe Burnout (need help and guidance)

No matter what the cause of burnout is, burnout always involves an unmistakable pattern that leaves us de-energized and emotionally exhausted.

http://www.healthnewsnet.com/burnout.html

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 10, 2002

You GO, Youda !!!!

FABULOUS ! AWESOME ! Way to GO !!!

Keep us posted on the "outcomes", ok? Wish you well. Do something nice for Youda. :kiss

MK2002 · Oct 10, 2002

_____ 21. I have to work a 12-hour, overnight shift.

_____ 22. I am doing all the work while 3 of my co-workers are on another smoke break.

_____ 23. I have been at this job for 10 years.

_____ 24. I keep wondering why my pay raise never exceeds the annual rate of inflation.

_____ 25. I was never told about all these responsibilities during my interview.

_____ 26. I take a restroom break to relieve stress instead of nature.

_____ 27. I cannot recall being told about anger management while still in nursing school.

_____ 28. I find it difficult to start my car when it is time to leave for work.

_____ 29. I feel like others go on to better things in life while I have no progress.

_____ 30. I used to be a happy person. Now I am just another employee.

REVISED SCORING KEY:

30-39: Oven Crisp

40-59: Moderately Barbecued

60-90: Cremated

montroyal · Oct 10, 2002

If you are asking, " Am I burnt out ?", you probably are. I left nursing in may of this year, for a completely different field. I was asking myself alot of questions, including " why do I keep doing this when I feel exhausted, abused, and unappreciated. It was the best decision I could of made. In Aug. the hospital said they would like be to come back. I took a prn position and now work four hours a month as a nurse. I am doing this for several reasons. First, to keep my hands in the field. Secondly, to see if nursing will ever change. Between Aug and the one shift I worked in Sept., several of the most experienced staff of the ICU I work in left. There was a night when are thirty bed ICU had eleven nurses from 7p-11p and that dropped to ten for the 11p-7p shift. Our unit is supposed to have seventeen nurses for night shift. The staff moral is poor and the number of nurses with five or more years experience is unbelievably low. The ICU has been offering double time to all full time staff for extra shifts and bonuses to prn staff if they promise to work two 12 hour shifts a week for six weeks. The unit as well as the hospital continues to work short. The people I work with are great, but they are tired.

I love my new job. The people I work with are top rate. The management treats everyone with respect. We work long hours in sometimes very uncomfortable physical conditions, but I wouldn't change it. I have tried to include a picture of me at my new job, I hope it comes out.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 10, 2002

OK, so I worked again last night, and I had some family members of one of my patients thank me and tell me what a good job I did of taking care of their son. I didn't know that these family members were nurses until I was leaving, and hearing some positive words of praise gave me a boost I sorely needed at the time. Maybe things like this are worth the negatives...BTW, I scored a 56 on the burn-out scale, what did you guys get?