I've been an RN for a little over 9 years now. I started out as a new grad at my current hospital and I've been on 3 different floors. I've done basic med/surg, step-down unit with trachs/vents, and now I'm on a surgical step-down unit with a focus on post-op GI & cardiothoracic surgical patients.
I remember I used to love going to work and in the last year or so I've had rollercoaster weeks where some weeks I hate my job and others I love my job. It's only been in the last few months where there are way more lows than highs. I work in a wealthy part of the county and I don't know if the patient population (being treated like a waitress vs a nurse, etc) is more pronounced and causing me to feel burned out but regardless, I feel like I need a change.
I've tried taking little vacations but that burned out feeling returns quickly. I sometimes want to go back to working at a desk Monday thru Friday, 8 hour days but I also love having a week off between 12 hour shift so then I don't think that type of nursing would work for me. I read that the closer you are to the patient, the higher chance of burn-out.
I've looked at jobs online but I have no idea what I would be interested in doing. I just know I feel tired. I am so tired of sacrificing my body and coming home physically and mentally exhausted without ever even receiving a simple thank you in one single shift. I know I want to get away from bedside nursing - that's 100% of what I do know!
I also have a per diem job doing hospice (on call 2 nights a week & good money for a side job). If I did take a Monday thru Friday job with a pay cut (I'd be losing night shift differential), then I'd also have to quit my per diem job and that's just not feasible for me.
Does anybody have any experience transitioning away from bedside and if so, how did you know where you wanted to go? Thanks!!!
