Burnout vs. time for a new job

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

How do I differentiate between burnout and needing a different job? Just take a vacation and if I'm still miserable when I return, it's the job? I haven't taken any time off in nearly a year, so that could be it.

I'm basically having dread on my days off, feeling trapped. The job itself isn't overwhelming me. But management ridiculousness, coworker pettiness, and the like is.

[RNJill]

I would definitely take some vacations. I've been guilty before of not taking much vacay for long periods of time, then realizing I'm a little extra frazzled, grouchy, impatient with patients, etc. Usually, after some time away I would have a better outlook on my job overall. If this is not the case, sounds like it's the job.

If you have a lot of vacation time saved up...sounds like you might..maybe try to schedule some at regular intervals in the future. This might help things be more tolerable especially if you decide it IS the job and you're looking elsewhere.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Yeah I actually have a lot accrued that I need to use up because they are chopping our max accrual over the next 2 years. The problem is getting it approved and then they never staff an additional person so my coworkers have to work very short. I've put in a request for 2 months away and may just put a request for the summer...and the fall...

All they can do is say no.

[JWG223]

I'd say it's the hospital. You complained about your work environment and not job description.