Help! I am stressed out and need advice.

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I have not even been a nurse for a year and I think I am already burned out. Or maybe I picked the wrong second career, I don't know. I am so frustrated I find myself almost unable to think straight anymore. I'm an RN at a LTC/skilled rehab facility; I work 3-11 but sometimes don't get home until 2a. I HATE this job. I tried and tried to get a hospital job when I graduated but no go. I have almost no compassion left for residents; most of my job is paperwork. It has gotten to the point where I cringe every time an aide comes to me and says, "I think there's a new (red spot, o/a, skin tear) on Mrs. Jones" because it seems I'm the only one who writes things up. Writing the incident report, the skin assessment, the computer assessment, the skin integrity wound report, notifying the doc, etc etc - the same information over and over and over and then I get called the next morning at 7:30a and told that I forgot something (to print out the care plan, or nurse's note, or something).

Not to mention the backbiting that goes on between shifts, knowing that there are people talking about you, etc etc --- and then the fact that as a LTC nurse, I am not getting the kind of experience I really wanted. I have placed 3 IVs successfully in my life as a nurse (at an IV class); I have not performed a blood draw yet; and darnitall, I am TIRED. I am 41 years old, working 36hrs a week with 3 young girls at home and a husband who also works full time and whose boss doesn't like him so he's constantly on the fence of whether he'll have a job next week.

And then the crazy families, who yell at ME because their family member's room is dusty. Who yell at me because their family member is not getting better. (He is 99 yo, he is ready to go, a DNR, he is NOT going to get better.)

I wanted to be a nurse for the 'excitement' of it, the fact that I love and respect and am fascinated by the human body and medical science, because I communicate with people well, because I'm smart -- I have this dream of being a flight nurse, but never going to get there this way. I have been applying to hospitals right along, but so far have been told that without previous acute care experience I will not get a job in one.

Help. I think the nsg profession is about to lose another one.

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

dear logcabinmom,

i feel for you! since this a second career for you chances are you thought hard and made an educated decision to become a nurse (as i did). it sounds to me like you are not in the right job within nursing. (i know you know this). being tired does make everything harder.

i don't know what the job market is in your area, but around here, there are atleast openings in the ER, and often willing to train, which may be your interest. it's hard work, but good. and rewarding.

you can't help what the market is, but you can do things to make yourself marketable. i'm sure you've done these things, but just wanted to mention it. have you had someone help you with your resume? it may be worth paying someone to help you with that too. and be sure that when you go to an interview you shake off all the bad stuff from your current job. interviewers will pick up on that. i don't know what to say about previous acute care experience except that if you are interested in the ER maybe you could take some courses like TNCC or ENPC (look at the ena website).

hope we don't loose you. sounds like you have the right combination of skills and heart. you just need the right fit so you can shine!

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Specializes in Emergency / Critical Care.

wow, that would drive me NUTS working that gig!

The good news is, there's plenty of other places to work in nursing... many of them are semi-enjoyable even at times, especially if you work with a great crew.

Don't give up looking for other work, you need to GET OUT OF THERE! Go try some different hospital based areas....

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Thanks for your replies! This is what I need to hear - unfortunately around here there are no ER openings that are 'willing to train' - I would also consider OR nursing, but again - need the med/surg experience which I am not getting. Could you give me a little more info on the certs you are talking about? What else could I do to make myself more marketable towards a hospital? And yes, I agree totally about the resume, I think I will be looking up someone for help on that shortly ----

thanks!

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

tncc (trauma) and enpc (pediatric emergency) info can be found at http://www.ena.org

as for OR info, try looking or posting in an OR thread.

i don't know what else to suggest. i hope it helps some!

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thank you!

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Don't give up! I'd suggest getting your ACLS certification, too. (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) through american heart association. Keep looking, something will come along, even if it's a night job.

And try not to let the cattiness of your current place get to you. Can't we be so mean to eachother? So you forgot to sign one form or another. Let it go. Sign it when you get there and don't worry too much about it. So what if they have a field day talking about you. It's just a job. You've got a kids to love and a husband that loves you. The patients that you take care of a benefiting so much from your diligence, even if they and their families don't appreciate it, you're doing an awesome job!

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Thank you so much AndyLyn, you have made my night.

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