Yet another burned-out nurse question...

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi. I have worked as a nurse for 17 years (long term care, psych, med-surg,oncology, hospice, cardiac stepdown) and think am officially burnt out. I first suspected I was starting to burn out (gradually) 2 years ago but managed to somehow pull myself up thru the occasional "dips of doubt" (thru travel, rest, diversion with creative pursuits, exercise, spiritual retreats etc you name it.) For the most part it worked. I used to love nursing and arrogantly bragged that thank God I'm not one of those nurses that can't wait to retire . I used to job-hop but found my niche in cardiac nursing and a great hospital to work in where I was pretty sure I would stay until I retire (been here 7 yrs, my longest in any place). I still feel and care for my patients but before where it was easy for me to give my 101%, now even if I want to, I feel like I am just too tired or don't have enough to give anymore. I have always worked nights and did request to work days for awhile (to see if this would solve the problem) but it was more crazy- I had no time to talk to patients!.. My manager won't give me part time or per- diem status either.... on my off days, I hike and spend as much time outdoors and am really happy but when it's time to work, I dread it.I don't know what is happening and don't really know what to do (quit nursing ???.. I have checked out the myriad possibilities in our profession but honestly, all i can think of is to "peace out" of nursing for awhile.)... ..one thing I absolutely will NOT do is to jump to another job/field until my mind/body/soul is a little less wrought up....so I thought I would quit my job. take care of 'me" for about 2mos (i.e. rest, exercise, do all the things I always dont have time to do). then take about a year off to travel (Latin America mostly. and also to learn Spanish). I honestly don't know what comes next--either i rediscover my love for nursing or take the plunge and do something else. I am single have no debt, no mortgage, parents are still healthy. I have enough saved to pull this off. I know it's a risk in this economy but I think it's the right thing for me to do....what do you guys think?

I have learned that life is too short to put big dreams on the backburner. Surely you too have seen the people who died with a whole bucket full of dreams they wished they had done.

You have your finances in order, you are not be irresponsible...go for it!

Best of luck

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Yes, I understand... I went through the exact same thing, except I was working in Spec. Ed.

I dragged it on for almost two more years and finally moved on to something new (learning center) 3rd-6th grade. It was the best thing for me while wanting to go back to school for now nursing... :geek: We have a new teacher this year at the school teaching K-1st and she used to be a nurse of 15 years! Hey, whatever works! You know your body, when that hits the wall... It's time to step back and rethink our "passions," or maybe some new ones?

Take Care & Good for you!

All will be well. :p

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Specializes in OB/GYN/Neonatal/Office/Geriatric.

I just have one question: Can I come? LoL. I say go for it, enjoy and rejuvenate for whatever lies ahead. Good luck!

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Specializes in Tele, Med-Surg, MICU.

DO IT!!! And then maybe you'll find that your burning passion is making enough money to do it again in 2 years, which is fine! Life is too short, don't let any dream go unrealized when you have the ability to do it...

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Im only a four year nurse and have been wanting out of nursing since I became a nurse. Its not what I thought it was, I don't handle the stress well. I internalize everything, doubt my ability, fear making mistakes, dread going to work daily. My co-workers are wonderful and supportive. They tell me Im a great nurse who cares and is agressive and teachable. I dont know if its a rut, a little depression. I usually change jobs and I have been with this homecare agency for awhile, so maybe its itchy feet. I dont know.

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

If you have the finances to sustain yourself then enjoy the adventure. No shame in nurturing you. I am 20+ yrs and have followed a very similar path to yours. I have experienced 3 burn outs. Today, I work in cardiac rehab. It has none of the glamour but I am no longer exhausted and I do feel happy. Enjoy that you have time to rediscover yourself. Let your hearts desire speak. Give yourself the freedom to let go and honor your own heart .Your journey, will show itself as you unwind. If it tells you to return to nursing then you had one great "stella got her groove back " adventure while learning.If you discover a greater path instead,how lucky are you! Enjoy.I hope you have THE best vacation ever......kick your heels up and shout!!!

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

After doing clinic nursing for 5 years for a non-profit serving homeless patients, and 5 years before that working as an EMT while I was in nursing school, I crashed and burned early last year. I hit the wall.

I took 6 months off. I really had about 3 months of expenses saved and put the other three on a credit card (not recommended but ya do what ya gotta do). BEST decision I ever made. I didn't travel, but exercised, slept, read, organized my life, had fun, rested and relaxed, and was able to clear my head enough to carefully plan what was next. DO IT. You will not regret it.

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Thank you so much everyone for reading my post and taking the time to write your very helpful responses. I am going for it then!

Start the new year right:-)...now on to navigating COBRA and all the other nitty gritty details. I hope you all had a great thanksgiving!

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To Mclennan- I have dreamed of doing exactly what you did. Thanks for validating that it is possible. (quit a job and intentionally not find work) . I hope everything worked out for you.

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This is my favorite post today!! I'm excited for you! You definitely have enough experience that a sabbatical will not hurt you professionally! Best wishes to you!!!!!!

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

Everything worked out great. I did use some of the time and money to get a board certification in Case Management and now have a great 9-5, M-F case management job. Also, beware COBRA. It's a sham. I bought myself a $100/mo health insurance policy from Anthem, it was just enough coverage for ER/Rx, and never had a problem (and no - I'm not young and healthy haha). Research your health ins. carefully.....you can totally do this and I WISH "sabbatical" like this was MANDATORY for every nurse, like every 5 to 7 years or something!!!

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Specializes in BNAT instructor, ICU, Hospice,triage.

I went through burnout after working ICU. I can honestly say I was a complete mess. I got to the point that I couldn't sleep, couldn't handle anything, couldn't make decisions. I cried before my shifts. I had so much anxiety! I found a job doing telephone triage, and I did that for 3 years and it definitely helped, I worked from home from midnight to 8 AM. But my insomnia got worse and I slept about 1-2 hours for every 24 hrs. My doc checked my thyroid and everything, he advised to try and find a day shift job. I then started with Hospice and it was PERFECT for me. It was a dream job until we got a new manager and lost 80% of our employees. She is a total jerk and I cannot get along with her, and I can get along with anyone. She has a chronic problem of lying. So I now work as a nurse paraprofessional in a school setting. I love the hours and the stress is miniscule compared to all the other nursing jobs I have had. I plan to stay here as long as I can. They pay is 1/2 of what I was making as a hospice nurse with 20+ years of experience, but its worth it to me. I won't have to miss anymore of DS ballgames, I won't have to leave for work while the rest of the house is still asleep and get home from work when the rest of the house has already gone to bed.

If we can't make it financially I will have to find another line of work or else a higher paying nursing job. My DH has been selling real estate as a second job for a year so maybe that will pick up. We will have our mortgage paid off in one year and that will help too, with no other debt at all.

Good luck!!!!

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