Getting Burned Out!!!

[hes2371rn, ADN, BSN]

I have been a clinical coordinator over 2 units for over a year now, RN for the past 8. I have worked, Med/Surg, PCU, ICU, ED. This position was to be scheduling for both units, chart reviews, scorecards, PI meetings, training of new associates, and being on-call and fill-in as needed. I have found that just in the past 4 months our turnover rates are going SKY HIGH. I am getting calls during the night for call-offs, going in and working after putting in my time that day already, I am really starting to feel burned out. I am also questioning "Is management really what I want in my nursing career?" My director has a full plate already, dealing with all the administrative parts of her job, like complaints, policies and procedures, staff issues, etc. I am the one that is on-call all of the time, she takes call maybe one weekend a month, but I am every day during the month with the exception of that one weekend. She does help in the units during the day and after I have put in way too many hours in a week, she will step in and do a night shift or two. But I don't know if this working all the time way more than my "exempt" status pays is worth it. I use to enjoy my job, but I have found that I have been contemplating is this really for me???? I still enjoy patient care, however, I feel that I am ready to get out of it. I am looking to possibly going into the Quality aspect of nursing. Any thoughts????

[llg, PhD, RN]

Sounds like a reasonable move to me. If you are getting burned out and need a change, it's wise to build on your previous experience rather than throw it all away and try something totally unrelated. Too many people just "run in the opposite direction" and end up with a series of jobs rather than a career. Your plans sound like the making of a long-term career, each step building on the last.

Good luck!

[hes2371rn, ADN, BSN]

Thank you so much!