preventing burnout

cokie · May 20, 2003

read a very good book about this. i talked about the stages...in recognizing that right now you are in the honeymoon and i can't remember the other 5 stages, but one is disillusionment and depression. the previous ideas given will help.......

Dublin37 · May 21, 2003

Hey Ruffles, I'm in the same boat as you although, I'm still waiting to get into the program. I was gonna email you, but there wasn't one on your profile.

Anyway, I'm 41 right now, but I probably won't get in for another year because it's so impacted.

I am a second career as well. I used to be a teacher also. Feel free to email or Private message me. Heather:)

nrw350 · May 22, 2003

never forget to laugh... does wonders for the heart and soul.

MandyInMS · May 22, 2003

Hi Ruffles :) I agree with an above poster who mentioned knowing your limits and sticking to them..what works for one person doesn't for another.It will take you some time to figure out what works for you personnally.I became VERY burnt out a few years ago trying to please everyone and be All things to All people...you just can't do it..at the time I felt like I was about to "lose it"..I changed my schedule from 84 hrs a pay period to 60 and worked that for several years..Just recently went back to full schedule...Do what's best for YOU and take care of yourself.So many of us nurses are so used to doing for others and neglecting ourselves....best of luck in 'finding yourself' in nursing (((hugzzz)))

zambezi, BSN, RN · May 22, 2003

Find a unit that you actually enjoy working in, one that supports you the best it can, especially when you are new...there are so many nurses that don't enjoy the people they work with, the environment or the type of patients on the floor...if you don't like anything about your workplace of course you will burn out...so...find a job that has people that you enjoy and a management system that works for you, yes, there are jobs like this...and as others have said, have a sense of humor/smile/and take care of you....good luck:)

atownsendrn · May 23, 2003

Find a mentor, laugh at yourself, and hug your family every chance you get>

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 23, 2003

Avoid toxic environments at all costs. "Nurse-eating" or bullying is endemic to the nursing profession. We can change this unfortunate phenomenon by our examples, one person at a time. Avoid facilities and units in which the "bottom line" is all that matters and staffing ratios are unsafe--you will inevitably wear out physically and emotionally. We are professionals and need to have a voice in our working environment. Be VERY choosy about where to work. There are decent units with decent staffing ratios out there--you just have to look hard--you can find them. I specifically warn my students about certain units (especially some of the horrendous med-surg units in our area). I don't want them getting burned out in just 1-2 years after leaving school--and yes, this does happen. So be careful, be choosy.

mattsmom81 · May 23, 2003

Those of us who have survived for many years in nursing have developed a personal suit of armor...on top of copious inward motivation for what we do because the external gratitude we receive is so few and far between.

Learning how to say 'no' and taking care of oneself above all others is a lesson we learn if we are to survive this career. Best wishes to you and don't get talked into working more than you can handle!!

mario_ragucci · May 24, 2003

I worked and went to nursing school and failed clinicals in second semester. During the stressfullest parts, coming here was the key to surpressing stress and burning out.

Some folks said taking care of yourself is important. It's true: You are your own advocate! Plus, you have to be physically active for a little while to level off the "stress-levels", which in this case refers to chemicals that build up as a result of burnout-type stress in our blood.

Nurses eating their young? They will eat you if you don't have protection, and sometimes, a wrong personality will cause you direct suffering, and there is nothing you can do about it. For example, some seagulls will eat the young of their own simply for leaving a nest unattended. Or a lion will kill young male lions for survival. Nurses usually have enough food, but still, there are some who feel compelled to kill, or be evil.

Accept reality, and work positive and harmoniously with it, and take care of yourself :-)