New grad burnt out at 6 mos?

sequelae · Mar 26, 2007

i think almost everyone experiences what you are going through. you have to find the area that you are most suited to. im a new grad too and i got lucky that my job now as an emergency room nurse is what i ACTUALLY love coz i always thought i want to be in the ICU. it might not be immediately but you will find your preferred area soon enough.

regarding your symptoms, have you considered talking to your superior about them? if the area youre in brings you great stress as i see it, i guess you might need a new environment. dont forget to relax coz stress will bring you donw

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

Good luck to you. Sounds like you're getting soem good advice.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Mar 26, 2007

I applaud you for realizing you don't want to be on this particular unit before it was too late. Good for you. You would be amazed at how much a change to a different unit or area of care can revive your interest in nursing. I used to work on a busy step-down with 3-4 heavy patients, and can definitely empathize with your situation. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 26, 2007

...I work 3, 12 hr days. I knew my job would be hard, but this has been insane.
... I feel so worn out after the first 10 hours and can barely think. got to figure out how to change this situation.

Hello,

I also despise 12 hour shifts. There is not "convenience" in them for me. Not only do you loose the entire day due to being so burdened at work and then needing to recover later but, it becomes a chronic stress to have this "overloaded" feeling day after day.

When in the heck did so many hospitals make this change? I do *not* like it at all.

Yet, when I was in my 20's and 30's I used to work double shifts double days in a row without problem because it was my choice. It really made me appreciate 8 hours shifts yet, now those are history? ugh...I am set to graduate and sit for NCLEX-RN, (have been a tech for 18 years) and if I find a hospital that still has 8 hour shift that will get my preference over anything else, at all.

We are not good if we are not taking care of ourselves first and 12 hour shifts, (with no breaks, lunch or time to hydrate or micturate) are NOT taking care of ourselves at all.

Gen

liebling5, MSN, RN · Mar 26, 2007

Hello,
I also despise 12 hour shifts. and if I find a hospital that still has 8 hour shift that will get my preference over anything else, at all.
We are not good if we are not taking care of ourselves first and 12 hour shifts, (with no breaks, lunch or time to hydrate or micturate) are NOT taking care of ourselves at all.
Gen

Gen -

In my neck of the woods, the VA hospital is still on 8-hour shifts, as well as many SNF-convalescent homes. :idea:

I_am_Julia · Mar 26, 2007

hang in there and give it another try at another hospital or unit. you may like something that's less busy and more specialized.

before i start, to nursing students, please don't read this if you're going to freak out, i don't want to discourage anyone. this is my experience and i have to vent.
i'm an older new grad, mid 40's and i started on a busy cardiac step down unit 6 months ago. i work 3, 12 hr days. i knew my job would be hard, but this has been insane. the patients are so sick and there's usually one cna for 35 patients. most of the charge nurses get irritated by questions and there's rarely anyone available to help move heavy patients. i feel so worn out after the first 10 hours and can barely think. i start to lose my temper and cry or snap at people which is not my nature. i'm at my limit.
i work as hard as i can, i get my work done and deliver good care, but it has been at the cost of my health. i run all day and feel stressed, overwhelmed and unsupported. for the first time in my life, i have chest pain, sob, constant back pain and stomach aches. a cardiac/pulmonary workup revealed no abnormalities, so now i know these symptoms are from stress.
i hate to admit this, but i just can't handle this workload and the disrespect with which i'm treated on my unit. i can't try any harder. work any smarter. my unit is notorious for having the highest turnover . . . just the same, i feel terrible and wonder what my prospects are as a new nurse.
i wonder if this means the end of my nursing career. has anyone else experienced this? i love nursing, but i've got to figure out how to change this situation.

climberrn · Mar 26, 2007

I think you've found your answer...you need a different unit. These days, if you have "only" 4 patients, these will be pretty darn sick, maybe on their way to or from ICU...not an easy job by any means.

I have a gratuitous suggestion: When you are in your new job and things have settled down, take the time to write a letter, both to your old nurse manager, the DON and the hospital CEO, detailing your experience, and asking them to look at the stats of how many nurses have left that unit. You can't argue with numbers and maybe if someone higher up sees that many nurses are leaving that ONE unit, they might investigate why. Could be for nothing but just might help the next new grad.