I am burning out..

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I'm burning out. Me, of all people. I thought I was strong enough to withstand it but having to deal with managers who have no clue and co-workers who whine and moan about the slightest thing have started to take its toll on me. To top it off I have to wait another 7 days until my nurse manager comes back from leave to have a big meeting from higher ups to determine if they will allow transfers within my unit has it is split between two teams.

I'm stressed out so bad that I cancelled my OT shift for last night and later on this week and have decided that money is not that important right now, my mental health is. Every little thing is starting to get on my nerves. The slightest complaint about something is irritating for example, another nurse was getting pulled to another ICU. Our unit policy is that the person with the highest senority who hasn't been pulled gets the pull. So of course, another nurse was none too happy about it and I'm said "Listen, if you and her have a problem call the charge nurse because I'm sick of hearing all this B.S." and yes I was so frustrated that I actually said B.S. in its true form not abbreviated...

:sofahider

I'm not a horrible person, really I'm not but I feel like I'm battling for my soul sometimes when I deal with these people. Its going to be a long 7 days.

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Submit a request for an immediate leave of absence for health reasons. Or take your PTO, if your employer has that. If you need it, get a letter from your doctor to back up your need for the LOA. Make it long enough to be worthwhile. At least, one week, preferably two, as a minimum. And take the time to relax. Don't call or go by the place of employment. If you don't do this, you might end up losing your job or worse.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

And look for another job. I see so many nurses...especially older nurses...who stay at the same spot eventhough it drives them crazy. If you take money out of the equation and can find a job at a little less pay but a lot less stressful I say go for it! Heck if I hadn't signed a two year contract for a sign on bouns I'd be doing it!

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
And look for another job. I see so many nurses...especially older nurses...who stay at the same spot eventhough it drives them crazy. If you take money out of the equation and can find a job at a little less pay but a lot less stressful I say go for it! Heck if I hadn't signed a two year contract for a sign on bouns I'd be doing it!

I'm already in the process of getting a transfer. If that falls through I will look elsewhere. Thankfully, I didn't get a sign on bonus and I avoid all places that offer one because to me it says there is something wrong if they are offering a sign on bonus.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You're not a horrible person.

This might sound extremely selfish in the grander scheme of things, but you come first. Your basic needs, emotional well being, and mental health must be optimal before you can fully function at work. It's amazing that we are entrusted to provide care to others, yet we sometimes neglect to care for ourselves.

Here's a hug. :icon_hug:

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

Before you do anything, take some time off and take stock of what you like about this job and what you don't like. Take advantage of your facilities employee assistance program and go talk to a counselor just to have someone impartial to bounce your ideas off of. The reason I say this is because early in my career when things started to bug me instead of working on ways to better cope and deal with situations, I would just leave and go to another job. And what I finally learned is that the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. When you change jobs, you never know what you are really getting into until you get there. It might be worse that what you are leaving.

What I came to determine is that people are the same no matter where I was. The complaints were the same and the issues were the same. I could not change the people but I could change my reaction to them. So I had do to my own work to learn how to keep my calm and to stop allowing people to get under my nerves. I had a short fuse and a quick temper and little stuff would just set me off. I stopped trying to solve everyone's problems for them and I got away from the gossips in the unit. And I worked hard to keep my emotions in check. And what I found is my control of myself and my emotions has changed my environment completely. The people have not changed but my reaction to them has changed completely and I am now happy at work and I find myself better able to help and support those who use to bug me endlessly. Give it some thought.

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"this might sound extremely selfish in the grander scheme of things, but you come first. your basic needs, emotional well being, and mental health must be optimal before you can fully function at work. it's amazing that we are entrusted to provide care to others, yet we sometimes neglect to care for ourselves."

the commuter is right on target.

burnout happens to strong people, so don't think that you have some flaw.

think of the water bucket. it is just a vessel, used to carry nourishing, refreshing water. as one person after another gets a sweet drink of water, the bucket becomes empty. you are a vessel of compassion and kindness, giving your best to one person after another, at home and at work. just like the bucket, there is only so much to give. then it is gone. this is where we become empty and burned out.

the bucket will be refilled; you will be renewed. take care of yourself, strengthen your vessel by caring for yourself as your most precious child. because you are. then you can go back and keep your bucket at a nice level. but right now, your bucket only has a little left.

these posts are full of good info and the best support. you may be battling for your soul. trust your instincts, because they are geared toward your survival.

no way are you a horrible person. no way. i've read your posts and you show humor and knowledge. horrible people are rarely introspective. see that proves it, you are not horrible.

rule #1 -- be on your own side. you don't need one more person picking on you. :specs:

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Thank you for all the wonderful advice. I'm feeling a bit better today and I think it's due to all of the exercise I've been doing as its helping me get out a lot of aggression I have. I will be on my own side now instead of beating myself up mentally and emotionally. I come first, no one else.

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Good job! We love you!

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.

I too have felt that burnt out feeling, especially over the last year. The politics, egos and administrations unrealistic demands, watching coworkers getting fired for trivial issues and others are untouchable for MAJOR offenses in policies. In addition being unappreciated as evident by crappy raise, and never being made aware of anything positive that I do; only what's wrong, needs improvement, etc..... Sick of it! :(

I am starting out the new year working 2 nites per week; will not work OT at my current employer. Plan to pick up some agency hours as needed....choose when to work, at facilities in which I won't be involved in their politics. Just focus on providing good care, and doing my job.

Will $$$ be tight? More than likely, but I rather preserve my mental and physical health, than to continue the unhappiness and dreading I have each time I get ready to go to work.

I now know(finally realize!) that I can choose to be happy, and am in control of making such choices.

I hope you realize it too!!!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Parish Nurse, Hospice.

Take it from someone who has experienced burrnout- take some time off. Money is not everything. Check to see if your hospital offers am employee assistance program. If they do, call and see a counselor to just talk. I was off last year for 7 weeks and it really helped me. I still see a counselor to just talk. Good luck to you, you sound alot like me, wants the best for the patients and get frustrated when thnigs don't go right. :heartbeat

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When I got sicker and sicker, I ended up in the hospital eventually, almost died. My employer did not visit me or help me out. Afterward, I had no job and the employer bad mouthed me when I tried to go back to work for other employers. All of this ill will to pay me back for being such a good employee. Believe me when I say that if I had been able to make the rational judgment, I would have done something about my own health and well being instead of thinking about the job first. Not worth it when they won't be there for you at all. You are better off to think about yourself when you need to instead of always putting the job first.

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