BURNOUT! and Switching Specialties

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2004

There are also specialty courses you can take which cover newborn patho and theory. Some even offer clinical placements.

The STABLE program is an excellent thing to have on your resume if you are planning to go into nursery or NICU. It's directed at normal newborn nurseries and level II units, and it's basically a course about how to stabilize sick newborns until the transport team comes to take the baby to the NICU. It's offered in many states, so check it out!

http://www.stableprogram.org/

As far as neo recussitation, it's another good thing to have, but I'd try for the STABLE program first. Neo recus. is focused on delivery room stuff, and in most places new neo nurses don't get to go to deliveries for a few months anyways, but the STABLE program is like a mini-NICU prep course.

PACU R/N · Mar 21, 2004

:) Hey there, I can understand your "burnout" in acute care nursing - do take the step to switch nursing speciality. You will be welcomed. Say you want a change...you can still use your clinical skills and have satisfaction in nursing! Actually have done the opposite to you. I started in OR but had to go to wards as I wanted to do part-time. I was devastated for quite some time. Went onto night duty for 13yrs. Poor sleep patterns were beginning to affect me. Always wanted to go back to OR. Attended ICU/ED introductory course and Anaes/recovery room nursing quick course. Am much happier and sleeping better. Goodluck Girl - once decision is made you will do well

Anyone have experience in switching nursing specialties? I currently am in my 10th year of SICU/Trauma nursing and have hit a brick wall. After much denial, soul searching, and frustration, I have finally admitted to myself that I am burned out and in desperate need of a change. I was thinking about doing a complete change and applying for a job in the Wellbaby/Newborn Nursery. My co-workers think that I'm nuts for "wasting" my CCRN credential and natural aptitude for ICU nursing, but I hate my current job. The low quality of patient care, lack of supervisor involvement, under-staffing, inappropriate staffing, and the stressors that go with them have invaded my psyche and infiltrated my entire life! (Just yesterday I had an agency LVN without vent or pressor experience taking care of a septic, hypotensive ventilator pt while I'm charge with a fresh open heart and another patient AND precepting a new grad who has 2 patients!) I know I need to get out of there but a few things are holding me back: I'm afraid that I will get "demoted" in the clinical ladder back to a Level 1 since I have no experience with Newborns. I cannot have worked ten years in ICU to be making new grad salary. And the second concern I have is what do I tell the manager of the Nursery when asked why I want to transfer? Is burnout an acceptable answer? I really think I need to work with healthy little ones at the start of their lives instead of seriously ill/injured adults often at the end of their lives. I need to refill my cup. Thanks for any input.

lisaloulou · Mar 21, 2004

The hardest thing to do sometimes is step back and make a decision for change! Pat yourself on the back for deciding to take care of YOU for once. And, DONT SELL YOURSELF SHORT, your experience and expertise is very valuable in any other specialty. Newborns are neurologically underdeveloped humans making a transition from fetal circulation,into a harsh environment. Im sure you can name 5 things that could cause a problem right off the top of your head. Its all interconnected, and a good adult CCRN can function anywhere better than the average bear. If they ask why just tell them you are interested in broadening your horizons-which is true. You should be able to transfer at your current rate of pay.

Sometimes what you love the most is poisonous. You are a brave person to step out and make a fresh start. (applause and confetti............)

abbynormal · Mar 30, 2004

Hi,

you are not alone in your feelings. i switched from ICU to CCU to ER to TELE to conquer my career demons. Initially it is like getting a booster shot. If you find your niche the booster will provide lifelong immunity. From personal experience and a lot of research, making negative comments( even completely truthful ) will count against you. Be positive and say you are ready for a new career challenge. Interviewers automatically think you will speak poorly of them, when and if you move on. There is a bit of paranoid tendancies in HR and Managers. Believe it or not, new grads make pretty close to what experienced nurses make; depending on state and city. I precepted several new grads who started out making more money than i. sad but true. so do not let money stop you.

~A change is difficult but the way you feel, it will be a relief. The nursing shortage is in your favor, depending again on your geographic location.

~Hang in there. You obviously have a lot of passion:balloons:

~abbynormal